INCLUSION IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
Giftedness
Gifted Children - are born with above average and natural abilities.
Gifted ness - means that a person usually a child has abilities that are significantly
developed beyond those of their peers.
Sign of a gifted child also include:
High creative
Artistic
Musical and leadership ability
Children who are gifted are defined as those who demonstrate an advanced ability or
potential in one or more specific areas when compared to others of the same age,
experience or environment.
These gifted individuals excel in their ability to think, reason and judge, making it
necessary for them to receive special educational services and support to be able to
fully develop their potential and talents.
Gifted characteristics and traits Advanced thinking and comprehension above their age
peers,
Emotional intensity at a young age
Heightened sense of self awareness
Highly developed curiosity
Excellent memory
INCLUSION IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
Is Giftedness a Disability?
Giftedness is not considered a disability, although some gifted students may also have
learning disabilities such as dyslexia, ADHD, or autism disorder
Does Giftedness Go Away?
Giftedness does not go away. However, a gifted child’s gifts and talents may be suppressed or go
unnoticed. This may be caused by inaccurate identification or “masking” when a child hides
behind certain aspects of their giftedness that may cause them not to be identified. Here are some
gifted characteristics that can make identification difficult:
Asynchronous Development
Asynchronous development refers to uneven development. In the case of gifted children, many
perform at a high level in one or more areas but they may be functioning at a much lower level
socially and emotionally. Children who are gifted may act immature for their ability.
Lack of Study Skills
Gifted children often struggle later in school because they tend to have poor study skills. They
may pass through elementary and middle school without having to study much but once they
enter high school and college, gifted students may not be equipped to handle the rigors of higher-
level course work.
Underachievement
Gifted students may show great academic promise but still perform below what is expected
based on the child’s ability. There are many causes as to why gifted students may underachieve.
Some of the reasons include:
How Do You Support Gifted Children?
Gifted children need support for both academic and social-emotional development.
The traditional classroom can be a poor fit if gifted students aren’t challenged
appropriately. That’s why it’s important to look to gifted services in your local area.
Depending on where you live and which school district you are in, this might include
ability grouping, gifted pull-out classes or access to gifted public schools. Outside of
school, gifted programs may offer gifted students the chance to further explore a unique
subject of interest, or they can provide a place to form social connections with
intellectually-similar peers.
