Gifted & Talented Students

Perhaps an educational psychologist has assessed your child as gifted and talented and you seek a fast, learning curve to understand the needs of your child.

You may not have had your child assessed but your intuition tells you that your child is different. You are surprised by what they pick up so readily.  

The journey of the gifted and talented child should be a rewarding one and to ensure this it is wise to be equipped with a keen knowledge of ‘how they tick’. There is a plethora of research articles to read. At times there are conflicting viewpoints. You may wish to consult with someone who has had practical experience in the area for over two decades. 

At Mind Perspectives, you speak to a highly experienced specialist of 20 years with a strong following of contented parents and students whose journeys have been guided.  

Some of the things you may have noticed: not all are necessarily present and this is also not an exhaustive list

• Taught themselves to read

• Laughs at more advanced jokes

• Becomes engrossed in a topic and doesn’t let up until all knowledge is exhausted on the topic

• Learns facts quickly

• Counts accurately to larger numbers

• Can do more advanced mathematics than expected at age level (self-taught)

• Asks advanced questions

• Extreme curiosity

• Extreme empathy

• Fierce sense of justice

Some of the questions you may have:

• At what age should my child start school?

• What should I expect from the school in response to my child’s learning needs?

• Why is my child so emotional/defiant?

• Why does my child complain about certain materials his/her clothes are made from?

• My child is clever but why won’t he/she perform in class?

• Why doesn’t my child have friends?

• My child says he is bored at school. What can I do?

• Should I get my child assessed by an educational psychologist?

• Are there groups I can belong to?

• What activities are there outside of school for my child to participate in?

  Is there a right school for my child?

The Gifted and Talented can often be misunderstood - by peers at school, community social/sport groups, parents and family members. The gifted and talented have specialised needs in cognitive and affective areas and require intervention to ensure they are heard and understood. So often, they can ‘fly under the radar’. The most capable student requires the guidance of a specialist to ensure their well-being.

Frequently children can be incorrectly diagnosed and the offending behaviours seen in only a negative light when they are in fact pointing to positive attributes of the gifted mind. Such attributes require understanding, harnessing and direction. Fierce sense of justice, extreme empathy, perfectionism… there is an endless list of intense feelings which are not readily felt by most. Such emotions can lead to what seems like defiance, emotional immaturity and under-performance. Too often isolation becomes a problem and the sense of not belonging has long-lasting affects. 

Jason (assumed name) was scolded for disobeying the teacher who had told him to put a line through his work and start again. Refusing to comply, he was seen as defiant and sent to the Head of Gifted and Talented. Behind what sometimes seems simple, there is a real-life issue simmering. Jason had a very strong passion for the environment. To waste paper was against his grain.

Again, Jason as a Year 2 child was attempting to discuss with another child if zero was a real number or not. Is it possible that such a child can assimilate with other Year 2 children? Many gifted and talented students operate on varying levels of their intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual domains.

Gifted and talented students require a differentiated academic program. To be exposed to already mastered knowledge and skills and to perform repetitive work is counterproductive to the gifted mind ability to thrive and to be passionate as a lifelong learner.

Over decades, parents have come to an understanding of their child through the conversations, guidance and strategies created by Roslynne and adopted by clients.

Through Mind Perspectives, you will not only feel heard but supported. 

Contact for an initial phone conversation to see how Mind Perspectives may fit into your personal journeys.

Gifted Adults

As you went through your education, you knew you were different and really didn’t fit in. You skirted around the outside of groups. You had a great depth of knowledge in areas. You did exceptionally well in one or more subjects. Your school did not do anything more for you than for any other learner in your class. 

There are accommodations made in the current education system for students that you wish you had been exposed to as a student. Now as an adult you would like to know more about giftedness. A greater understanding of self. What your journey was and where you are heading.

Make a consultation to make sense of the past and make sense of your journey ahead. You may like to discuss your options for your future and discover strategies to truly know your future directions.

See Creative & Critical Thinking Courses.

Schools

An experienced educator in gifted and talented education, Roslynne has set up programs within schools for the gifted and talented. She has run workshops for teachers, in Sydney and overseas, assisting teachers to identify students, understand the needs of gifted students and how to differentiate the curriculum to accommodate student learning in the mainstream classroom, small groups and streamed classes.

Roslynne is available as a consultant to whole staff or specialist teachers requiring further knowledge and guidance in the design of classroom programs. She is available as a speaker on school staff professional development days.