I read a good article from the Council for Exceptional Children earlier this week. It talked about the unique needs of twice exceptional children. Many, if not most, gifted children are gifted in one or two subject areas. But they may also be deficient in other subjects, or may have learning or behavioral issues. These deficits or issues can cancel out their strengths.
From the article:
Because challenged gifted children, particularly those with learning disabilities (LD), will have uneven skills and intermittent or asynchronous development, it’s critical to separate out their test scores on IQ tests, experts advise.
I have experienced with my own daughter who is gifted. She is gifted in math, science, and reading, but has also been diagnosed with ADHD. When she was in pre-school, she acted out and was otherwise uncooperative in the classroom environment. It wasn’t until she was accurately tested that we were able to see a change.
If you are unsure at all about whether or not your child is receiving the best education for their needs, contact your local school district and request a test. A school district that truly cares about its students should go along with your request. Tests include the COGAT test of Ã? cognitive abilities and the Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children.
The CEC website has a plethora of information about education and getting the best out of children with exceptional needs. You should definitely check it out.
CEC | Imagine Teaching Robin Williams — Twice-Exceptional Children in Your School