Social/Emotional Issues of

Gifted Children

OutlineOutline

1.1. Definition of giftednessDefinition of giftedness

2.2. Identification of gifted individualsIdentification of gifted individuals

3.3. Nature of gifted individualsNature of gifted individuals

4.4. Maladjustment (Social/Emotional Issues)Maladjustment (Social/Emotional Issues)

5.5. RecommendationsRecommendations

Definition of Definition of GiftedGifted

GiftedGifted

Being born with a quality or Being born with a quality or trait valued by one’s societytrait valued by one’s society

Musical AbilityMusical Ability

AthleticismAthleticism

Physical BeautyPhysical Beauty

IntelligenceIntelligence

……Valued By One’s SocietyValued By One’s Society

AthleticismAthleticism

Physical BeautyPhysical Beauty

Gifted vs. Gifted vs. Gifted and TalentedGifted and Talented

Francoys GagneFrancoys Gagne

Gifts Gifts TalentsTalents

10,000 hour rule10,000 hour ruleDaniel Levitin, Michael Howe, Daniel Levitin, Michael Howe, Malcolm Gladwell, and Many, Malcolm Gladwell, and Many,

many othersmany others

NYS Reflects NYS Reflects Gifts Gifts TalentsTalents

Those pupils who show evidence of high performance capability and exceptional potential… [including] those pupils who require educational programs or services beyond those normally provided by the regular school program in order to realize their full potential.” (New York Education Law § 4452)

Note on New York State’s Note on New York State’s RequirementsRequirements

1.1. Define Giftedness as requiring different Define Giftedness as requiring different servicesservices

2.2. Mandate that all students be assessed Mandate that all students be assessed and parents of gifted children be notifiedand parents of gifted children be notified

3.3. Don’t mandate that anything be done for Don’t mandate that anything be done for the gifted childrenthe gifted children

4.4. Don’t set aside any money to provide Don’t set aside any money to provide gifted education for those defined as gifted education for those defined as requiring itrequiring it

NY One of 7 StatesNY One of 7 States LeastLeast

Supportive of Gifted ChildrenSupportive of Gifted Children

For Our Purposes Today, For Our Purposes Today, Gifted:Gifted:

Having an inborn cognitive ability Having an inborn cognitive ability more than two standard deviations more than two standard deviations

above the mean (IQ of 130 or above the mean (IQ of 130 or greater)greater)

Giftedness is AbnormalGiftedness is Abnormal

Top 3% of population in any given area of ability

Identifying Gifted IndividualsIdentifying Gifted Individuals

Theory and Assessment Theory and Assessment

of Cognitionof Cognition

Cattel, Horn CarrolCattel, Horn Carrol

WoodcockWoodcock

Screening Screening → → AssessmentAssessment

Screening (large, inclusive filter)Screening (large, inclusive filter)

Assessment (more accurate, finer filter)Assessment (more accurate, finer filter)

ScreeningScreening

Group test of cognitive abilitiesGroup test of cognitive abilities

State Achievement Tests*State Achievement Tests*

Parent referralParent referral

Teacher referralTeacher referral

Administrative referralAdministrative referral

Self referralSelf referral

AssessmentAssessment

WJTCA-NUWJTCA-NU

WISC-IVWISC-IV

Serving Gifted Children WellServing Gifted Children Well

DefineDefine

IdentifyIdentify

DifferentiateDifferentiate– AcademicAcademic– Social/EmotionalSocial/Emotional

Nature of Gifted IndividualsNature of Gifted Individuals

Gifted People Are DifferentGifted People Are Different

NeorosystemNeorosystem

PerceptionPerception

BehaviorBehavior

EnvironmentEnvironment

NeurologyNeurology

Larger Frontal LobesLarger Frontal Lobes

Faster synapsesFaster synapses

More efficient processes (Sanjay Gupta)More efficient processes (Sanjay Gupta)

Men and Women (Dr. Richard Haier)Men and Women (Dr. Richard Haier)– Gray Gray – WhiteWhite

Neurology Neurology Perception Perception

Perception Perception Behavior Behavior

OverexcitabilitiesOverexcitabilities

(Kazimierz Dabrowski,1902-(Kazimierz Dabrowski,1902-1980)1980)

Overexcitability Means Overexcitability Means Increased…Increased…

SensitivitySensitivity

AwarenessAwareness

IntensityIntensity

Areas of IntensityAreas of Intensity

PsychomotorPsychomotor

SensualSensual

IntellectualIntellectual

ImaginationalImaginational

Emotional Emotional

Psychomotor OEPsychomotor OE

““Capacity for being active and Capacity for being active and energetic" energetic"

(Piechowski, 1991, p. 287)(Piechowski, 1991, p. 287)

Psychomotor OE Psychomotor OE

talk compulsivelytalk compulsively

act impulsively, act impulsively,

display nervous habitsdisplay nervous habits

compulsively organizecompulsively organize

others may find them overwhelming. others may find them overwhelming.

seem never to be still seem never to be still

Common MisdiagnosisCommon Misdiagnosis

ADHDADHD

Sensual OESensual OE

Heightened experience of Heightened experience of

sensual pleasuresensual pleasure

Sensual OESensual OE

Heightened experience of sensual Heightened experience of sensual pleasure pleasure or displeasureor displeasure

emanating from sight, smell, emanating from sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearingtouch, taste, and hearing

(Dabrowski & Piechowski, 1977; Piechowski, 1979, 1991)(Dabrowski & Piechowski, 1977; Piechowski, 1979, 1991)

Sensual OE +Sensual OE +

Increased and early appreciation of Increased and early appreciation of – MusicMusic– LanguageLanguage– ArtArt

Endless delight from Endless delight from – TastesTastes– SmellsSmells– TexturesTextures– SoundsSounds– sights. sights. – These children may also become so absorbed in their love of a These children may also become so absorbed in their love of a

particular piece of art or music that the outside world ceases to particular piece of art or music that the outside world ceases to existexist

Sensual OE + Sensual OE +

Over stimulated or uncomfortable Over stimulated or uncomfortable May withdraw from stimulation. May withdraw from stimulation. Distractions from schoolwork (ADD)Distractions from schoolwork (ADD)– Rough clothingRough clothing– Cafeteria SmellsCafeteria Smells– SoundsSounds– Pencil pressurePencil pressure

Pleasure and Pain Are Pleasure and Pain Are More IntenseMore Intense

ExamplesExamples

Intellectual OEIntellectual OE

Marked need to seek understanding and truth, Marked need to seek understanding and truth, to gain knowledge, and to analyze andto gain knowledge, and to analyze and

synthesize synthesize (Dabrowski & Piechowski, 1977; Piechowski, 1979, 1991)(Dabrowski & Piechowski, 1977; Piechowski, 1979, 1991)

Intellectual OEIntellectual OE

Intensely curiousIntensely curious

Often avid readersOften avid readers

Keen observersKeen observers

Able to engage in prolonged intellectual effortAble to engage in prolonged intellectual effort

Tenacious in problem solving Tenacious in problem solving when they choosewhen they choose..

Elaborate planning Elaborate planning

Detailed visual recallDetailed visual recall

Love theory, thinking about thinking, and moral thinkingLove theory, thinking about thinking, and moral thinking

Strong concerns about moral and ethical issuesStrong concerns about moral and ethical issues

Sometimes impatient with others who cannot sustain their Sometimes impatient with others who cannot sustain their intellectual paceintellectual pace

So excited about an idea that they interrupt at inappropriate timesSo excited about an idea that they interrupt at inappropriate times

ExamplesExamples

Imaginational OEImaginational OE

Rich association of images and impressions, Rich association of images and impressions, frequent use of image and metaphor, facility frequent use of image and metaphor, facility

for invention and fantasy, detailed for invention and fantasy, detailed visualization, and elaborate dreams visualization, and elaborate dreams

(Dabrowski & Piechowski,1977; Piechowski, 1979, 1991)(Dabrowski & Piechowski,1977; Piechowski, 1979, 1991)

Imaginational OEImaginational OE

Mix truth with fictionMix truth with fictionCreate [internal] private worldsCreate [internal] private worldsImaginary companions and dramatizations Imaginary companions and dramatizations to escape boredomto escape boredomDifficulty staying tuned to rigid academic Difficulty staying tuned to rigid academic curriculum. (They may write stories or curriculum. (They may write stories or draw instead)draw instead)Difficulty completing tasks when some Difficulty completing tasks when some incredible idea captures their thoughtsincredible idea captures their thoughts

ExamplesExamples

Personal ExperiencePersonal Experience

Emotional OEEmotional OE

Intense emotions, intense empathy, Intense emotions, intense empathy, and magnified affective expression and magnified affective expression

(Piechowski, 1991).(Piechowski, 1991).

Emotional OEEmotional OE

Stomachaches Stomachaches Blushing Blushing Concern with death and depression Concern with death and depression Capacity for deep relationshipsCapacity for deep relationshipsStrong emotional attachments to people, places, Strong emotional attachments to people, places, and thingsand thingsAcutely aware of their own feelingsAcutely aware of their own feelingsOften carry on inner dialogs and practice self-Often carry on inner dialogs and practice self-judgment judgment Often accused of “overreacting”Often accused of “overreacting”

Overexcitability represents a Overexcitability represents a realreal difference in the fabric of difference in the fabric of life and quality of experiencelife and quality of experience

(Lind, 2001)(Lind, 2001)

ExamplesExamples

"One who manifests several "One who manifests several forms of overexcitability, sees forms of overexcitability, sees reality in a different, stronger reality in a different, stronger and more multisided manner" and more multisided manner"

(Dabrowski, 1972, p. 7) (Dabrowski, 1972, p. 7)

Gifted People Are DifferentGifted People Are Different

NeorosystemNeorosystem

PerceptionPerception

BehaviorBehavior

EnvironmentEnvironment

Gifted Behavior is AbnormalGifted Behavior is Abnormal

Experience of Gifted People is Experience of Gifted People is Not NormalNot Normal

Being Gifted Being Gifted Doesn’t Feel Like a GiftDoesn’t Feel Like a Gift

Gifted People Are DifferentGifted People Are Different

NeorosystemNeorosystem

PerceptionPerception

BehaviorBehavior

EnvironmentEnvironment

EnvironmentEnvironment

Are you gifted?Are you gifted?

Beauty BacklashBeauty BacklashDon’t hate meBecause I’m

beautiful.

BoredomBoredom

How Much Time is Wasted?How Much Time is Wasted?

140 IQ = 50% of their time140 IQ = 50% of their time

170 IQ = 99% of their time

Hollingworth (1942), Renzulli, Silverman (1991)

Example from WeeklyExample from Weekly25-Word Spelling Unit25-Word Spelling Unit

Pretest = 96%Pretest = 96% Post test = 100%Post test = 100%

Time: 45 minutes of drill time per week:

Learned: 1 spelling word

Homework for SpellingHomework for Spelling

Make a Word Search Puzzle Make a Word Search Puzzle Using All 25 Spelling wordsUsing All 25 Spelling words

Child’s SolutionChild’s Solution

Personality TypePersonality Type

Myers BriggsMyers Briggs

Percent IntroversionPercent Introversion

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Normal Gifted

Percent IntuitionPercent Intuition

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Normal Gifted

Percent ThinkingPercent Thinking

42

44

46

48

50

52

54

Normal Gifted

Percent PerceivingPercent Perceiving

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Normal Gifted

Percent INTPPercent INTP

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Normal Gifted

What Are the Implications?What Are the Implications?

DifferencesDifferences

NeurologicalNeurological

PerceptualPerceptual

BehavioralBehavioral

EnvironmentalEnvironmental

MaladjustmentMaladjustment(Social/Emotional Issues)(Social/Emotional Issues)

Leta HollingworthLeta Hollingworth

Ideal IQIdeal IQ125-145125-145

160160

Spike in normal curveSpike in normal curve

InteractionInteraction

Nature of EnvironmentNature of Gifted People

InteractionInteractionEnriching HomeFlexible SchoolCognitive Peers

Absent ParentsLimited Resources

Rigid SchoolSmall Population

1st Grader with 148 IQEmotional OE

OutliersOutliers

AbilityAbility

Birth yearBirth year

Birth monthBirth month

ChanceChance

CultureCulture

Family BackgroundFamily Background

Time (10,000 hours)Time (10,000 hours)

Race and perceptionRace and perception

InliersInliers

Gifted children who suffer socially Gifted children who suffer socially and emotionally and don’t enjoy and emotionally and don’t enjoy

developing to their potentialdeveloping to their potential

MythMyth

Gifted Kids Are Lucky and Will Gifted Kids Are Lucky and Will Succeed Without Anything Succeed Without Anything

Extra From UsExtra From Us

Success of U.S. Advanced Success of U.S. Advanced Placement Students Placement Students

(National Excellence: A case for developing America’s Talent)

Compared with the top students

of 13 other nations

BiologyBiology1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

ChemistryChemistry1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

PhysicsPhysics1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

AlgebraAlgebra1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

CalculusCalculus1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

(National Excellence: A case for developing America’s Talent)

ExcuseExcuse

““We are egalitarian and we We are egalitarian and we educate a higher percentage educate a higher percentage

of our youth than other of our youth than other nations.”nations.”

CorrectionCorrection

United States Advanced Placement Students

International Competitor’s Top Students

(Ross, 1993)(Ross, 1993)

““American students are at or American students are at or near the back of the pack in near the back of the pack in international comparisons. If international comparisons. If

we don’t make radical we don’t make radical changes, that is where we are changes, that is where we are

going to stay” going to stay”

(America 2000,1991).(America 2000,1991).

Negative Characteristics of Negative Characteristics of Cognitively GiftedCognitively Gifted People People

Uneven Mental DevelopmentUneven Mental DevelopmentSocial DifficultiesSocial DifficultiesUnderachievement—especially in uninteresting Underachievement—especially in uninteresting areasareasNonconformity—sometimes in disturbing Nonconformity—sometimes in disturbing directionsdirectionsPerfectionism, sometimes extreme to the point Perfectionism, sometimes extreme to the point of cripplingof cripplingSelf-doubt, poor self-imageSelf-doubt, poor self-imageDepressionDepression

Common Negative Characteristics Common Negative Characteristics of of CreativeCreative Persons Persons

OveractiveOveractive

Excessively EmotionalExcessively Emotional

Indifferent to conventions Indifferent to conventions and courtesiesand courtesies

Questions rules, laws, Questions rules, laws, and authorityand authority

StubbornStubborn

Egocentric, intolerant, Egocentric, intolerant, tactlesstactless

Careless, disorderlyCareless, disorderly

Arrogant, cynical, Arrogant, cynical, sarcasticsarcastic

Impatient, demandingImpatient, demanding

Absentminded, forgetfulAbsentminded, forgetful

ArgumentativeArgumentative

Sloppy and disorganizedSloppy and disorganized

Rebellious, uncooperativeRebellious, uncooperative

Gifted Children Don’t Just…Gifted Children Don’t Just…

““make it on their own”make it on their own”

Indications of GiftednessIndications of Giftedness18 months: Started 18 months: Started reading The New York reading The New York TimesTimes4 Years: Taught himself 4 Years: Taught himself Latin, and read Latin, and read Caesar's Caesar's Gallic WarsGallic Wars (in Latin) (in Latin) 4 years: learned Greek 4 years: learned Greek alphabet and read alphabet and read HomerHomer in Greekin Greek6 years: learned Russian, 6 years: learned Russian, French, German, and French, German, and Hebrew, and soon after, Hebrew, and soon after, Turkish and Armenian. Turkish and Armenian. 6 years: started grammar 6 years: started grammar schoolschool4-8 years: Wrote four 4-8 years: Wrote four books, two on anatomy books, two on anatomy and astronomy and astronomy

7 years: Passed Harvard 7 years: Passed Harvard Medical School anatomy Medical School anatomy exam exam 8 years: Passed MIT 8 years: Passed MIT entrance exam entrance exam 11 years: became 11 years: became youngest student to ever youngest student to ever enroll at Harvardenroll at Harvard11 years: lectured 11 years: lectured Harvard Mathematical Harvard Mathematical Club on 'Four-Club on 'Four-Dimensional Bodies.' Dimensional Bodies.' As an adult: knew As an adult: knew approximately 200 approximately 200 languages of the world, languages of the world, and could translate and could translate among them instantlyamong them instantly

Dropout RatesDropout Rates

(Michael, 2005)

11%

25%

General Population

GiftedPopulation

Depending on one’s definition of Depending on one’s definition of gifted, the New York State dropout rate gifted, the New York State dropout rate

among gifted children in who do not among gifted children in who do not receive intervention services is as high receive intervention services is as high

as 25%as 25%(Michael, 2005)(Michael, 2005)

RecommendationsRecommendations

School SocialWorkers and School Psychologists School SocialWorkers and School Psychologists Learn and Stay Current Issues Related to Learn and Stay Current Issues Related to Identifying and helping Gifted ChildrenIdentifying and helping Gifted Children

Active Screening for Social/Emotional needs, not Active Screening for Social/Emotional needs, not just cognitive needsjust cognitive needs

Provide increased opportunity for gifted support Provide increased opportunity for gifted support groups guided by appropriate professionalsgroups guided by appropriate professionals

Provide Individual counseling as neededProvide Individual counseling as needed

Advocate and EducateAdvocate and Educate

Good NewsGood News

We can usually make things We can usually make things better for gifted individuals by better for gifted individuals by improving their environmentimproving their environment