Identifying the Exceptionally Able and Twice Exceptional in the Classroom
As you can see indentifying a gifted child within the classroom setting can be problematic for teachers. The exceptionally able child doesn't conform to the stereotype. According to the Centre for Talented Youth of Ireland gifted children demostrate a range of characteristics which often set them apart from their peers. Characteristics of the Gifted and Talented Child
As these indicators suggest intellectually able children experience the world differently from their peer group and this often sets them apart. Isolation can happen quite easily, particularly at school, where the children's innate sensitivity and their often adult take on the world makes it even more difficult for them to make and keep friendships. They can sometimes be seen as a bit "weird" with their adult language and interests. (Some interesting new research which was published in March 2006 by the National Institute for Mental Health in the US claimed that after a study of mri scans of 370 children, those with a higher intelligence had a different brain development that those of their peers.) In fact one of the key psychological characteristics of giftedness is a phenomenon known as “asynchronous development”, in other words a child’s emotional maturity is way out of kilter with his or her intellectual ability, leading to heightened emotional and sensory sensitivities. For example, a gifted 7 year old may have the intellectual ability of a 17 year old, yet have the emotional sensitivity of a four year old. And, the higher the child's IQ, the greater the asynchrony. The greater the asynchrony, the greater the potential for behavioural and social/emotional problems. This asynchrony can have devastating effects for a child who is struggling to fit in at school with both his teachers and peers An excellent presentation entitled Understanding the Needs of Exceptionally Able Students in Post Primary Schools and Developing an Appropriate Response by Tom Daly is now available for download from the SESS site. This presentation echoes much of the information and advice on identification in the Exceptionally Able Students, Draft Guidelines for Teachers: Key methods in assessment and identification include:
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Recommended ReadingGuiding the Gifted Child: A Practical Source for Parents and Teachers Dreamers, Discoverers and Dynamos Gifted Children: A Guide for Parents and Professionals Brilliant Activities for Gifted and Talented Children: That Other Children Will Love Too Games for Thinking (Stories for Thinking) Thinking Stories to Wake Up Your Mind Able, Gifted and Talented (Special Educational Needs) Gifted and Talented Pupils: Creating a Policy for Inclusion (NACE/Fulton Publication) |
Disclaimer: This is not an expert site, it is run on a voluntary basis and as such is based on opinion and experience but we hope that it acts as a signpost for educational resources and other support services for Irish families with exceptionally able children. By using this website you accept that any dependence by you on such information, opinion or advice is at your own risk.