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- Yes, My Gifted Child Has Unique Needs
by Emily Carter
March 27, 2018
In a previous chapter of my life, I was an educator. For many years, before adopting my current stay-at-home mom attire, I spent my days in professional attire, teaching literature, grammar, and the intricacies of language. I would return home to prepare lessons and grade assignments, repeatedly diving back into the educational fray.
I understand the challenges faced by teachers, managing a classroom filled with diverse students, each with distinct learning preferences and backgrounds. I’ve experienced the impact of budget cuts firsthand—resources dwindling until there’s hardly anything left to use. I taught in facilities that lacked basic necessities, such as paper and climate control, and often operated without adequate support from administration.
Now, however, I find myself on the other side of the table during parent-teacher meetings, seeking assistance for my son. I recognize that my requests may add to your workload, and I empathize. But like many of your students, my gifted son has unique needs.
What Does This Entail?
It signifies that he operates at a level far beyond his peers—reading at the age of 2½, mastering algebra and fractions in kindergarten, and finishing the Harry Potter series multiple times before first grade concluded. I’m not seeking accolades for this; these are simply the facts, and they evoke concern within me.
While I can relate to the difficulties educators encounter, I am acutely aware of the potential pitfalls for gifted children like my son. Throughout my years teaching high school, I encountered several exceptionally bright students who, despite their intelligence, became disengaged. They often sat quietly in class, uninterested and unmotivated, sometimes failing to graduate, even though they were some of the smartest individuals in the room.
No one intervened in their lives early enough to guide them. No one acknowledged their exceptional brains and encouraged them to harness their abilities. I worry deeply about my son. In many respects, he has been disinterested in school since he started preschool. I don’t believe it’s solely the teacher’s role to alleviate his boredom; sometimes, boredom is a necessary lesson in life. However, there’s a critical difference between boredom and apathy. As his mother, I am determined to ensure he doesn’t spiral into the latter state.
The Unique Needs of Gifted Children
An article titled “The Unique Needs of Gifted Children” discusses how gifted children often face similar issues. The article notes, “When children aren’t challenged, they cannot grow,” leading to boredom and restlessness. If this lack of stimulation persists, children may lose hope in their educational experience and disengage entirely.
What Does This Mean for Us?
It means I advocate for him. I make an effort to be present in the classroom, observing his interactions and monitoring the curriculum he encounters. At home, I engage him in research projects, library visits, and hands-on activities. I drive him to science camps and math clubs, and I actively seek out peers with shared interests.
We, as parents of gifted children, need the support of teachers. The National Association for Gifted Children emphasizes the importance of collaboration among parents, educators, and the community to foster the growth of gifted children across various domains—intellectual, social, emotional, and physical.
To this end, we have explored numerous teaching strategies, including acceleration and specialized programming, to discover what best suits my son, the teacher, and his classmates. He has had an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), participated in advanced programs, and completed challenging projects. Each year, we continue to collaborate to ensure he thrives.
My son is not homeschooled or skipping grades. He rides the bus daily to attend third grade at our local public school, where he enjoys lunch and participates in recess activities like Four Square, just like his peers. He is simply gifted. So, if he’s in your class, you’ll also get to know me, because that’s part of my role as his mother.
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Conclusion
In summary, advocating for gifted children is crucial to ensuring their educational experience remains enriching and engaging. While navigating this path can be challenging, collaboration between parents and educators can foster an environment where gifted children can flourish.