If you’re the parent of a gifted child, you may be challenged with a unique set of circumstances. Your gifted child might be mentally above average, but have difficulty interacting with their peers; they may be immature, impatient, or easily bored. Your friends and family may look on in awe at your child’s abilities, blissfully unaware of the difficulties you face on a daily basis. Here are four tips to help you parent your above average child.
Have Your Child Assessed
Although testing shouldn’t be the sole source of identifying a gifted student, tests are a good way to identify a gifted learner. Contact your school to have your child assessed for gifted classes or programs. Since there are no national guidelines for identifying gifted students, your school district will have its own standards. You can also have your child tested by a licensed psychologist experienced with gifted children.
Find Programs for Gifted Students
Your school district may have special programs or classes for gifted students. Search online or check with your local library for special classes or groups. You might even consider taking your child to a class or seminar that would interest them. This will give you special alone time with your child as well as help entertain and educate your gifted son or daughter. Finding special programs may require additional time and travel on your part, but it will provide your child with unique learning opportunities that will benefit them for a lifetime.
Help Them Improve Social Skills
While it’s important to help your gifted child in their search for knowledge, it’s sometimes easy to forget that it’s equally important to nurture their social and emotional development. Provide your child with opportunities to interact with their peers. Contact their school or the local park or community center to find out about social or interest groups that would benefit your child, or talk to other parents for recommendations.
Have Realistic Expectations
When you have a gifted learner for a child, you may come to always expect their extraordinary achievement and ease in learning. However, this is not realistic; your child may be gifted with math, but have more difficulty with reading and writing, or vice versa. It’s important to maintain reasonable expectations. These expectations may also include their behavior. Despite their amazing ability to learn, your son or daughter is still a child, and will not necessarily have the emotional maturity to match their intellectual maturity. Recognize and acknowledge your child’s strengths, and be patient and supportive when they need extra help.
For additional help and resources, visit the
National Association for Gifted Children at
http://www.nagc.org or the Davidson Institute at
davidsongifted.org.
Are you having difficulty parenting your gifted child, and need the guidance of a licensed professional? Call my office at your earliest convenience, and let’s set up an appointment to talk.
Psychological Testing and Evaluations for Children and Teens in Florida
We offer psychological testing and evaluations for children and teens in our Davie, Wellington, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach Gardens offices. We test for Autism, ADHD, gifted, learning disabilities, developmental delays, dyslexia, depression, anxiety, and a variety of other psychological disorders.
If you’d like to schedule an appointment or get any of your questions answered, please call our office at
954-378-5381 and
561-223-1066 or send us an email at
info@caringtherapistsofbroward.com.
Sheila Simchon is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She provides support to individuals struggling with life and looking for personal growth, couples looking to strengthen their relationship, and families looking to cope with stressful transitions that impact the family as a whole.
With dedicated passion, Sheila utilizes a holistic therapeutic approach that works with every client to maximize their potential and offer individualized guidance to support & empower for success – in education, career, and life.
For more information, visit:
https://caringtherapistsofbroward.com/staff/sheila-simchon-lcsw/