11 Signs You Have a Gifted Kid
All children have noteworthy gifts, whether it be artistic ability, athleticism, leadership skills, creativity, or emotional intelligence. Kids are considered intellectually gifted when they show potential to exceed grade-level expectations in one or more academic subjects. People often think of gifted kids as the “teacher’s pet” types who always raise their hand and get straight A’s. While that’s true for some, gifted kids don’t always perform well in school, and you might find some traits of giftedness to be surprising.
So how do I know if my child is gifted?:
1. Shows uneven skill-sets
Have you noticed your child excels at math, but has trouble with writing, or vice versa? Gifted kids often show asynchronous development, or uneven skill levels across different subjects. For example, a gifted 7-year-old might be reading at a 5th grade level, performing math tasks at a 3rd grade level, and writing at a 2nd grade level.
2. Is impressively attuned
Gifted kids often show a heightened level of awareness, even in infancy. At a young age they may express concerns with social justice, show abstract thinking, exhibit an unusually high vocabulary, and teach themselves subjects they find interesting. They tend to be rapid learners, putting thoughts together quickly and having an impressive memory. Because they acquire advanced knowledge, they often prefer the company of older kids or adults.
3. Has heightened emotions
Gifted kids are often emotionally sensitive, which can have both positive and negative implications. Their sensitivity can cause a lower tolerance for frustration or make them quick to burst into tears over a lost board game or sad commercial. On the plus side, their heightened awareness of the world often makes them very caring and empathetic toward others.
4. Is sensory-sensitive
The part of our brain that processes sensory activities is called our limbic system. Gifted children may be born with above-average sensitivity in their limbic systems, causing them to react more intensely to sights, sounds, taste, and touch. These kids might have aversions to strange food textures, itchy clothes, or annoying sounds. Some gifted kids seek lots of cuddles and kisses, while others generally avoid physical affection.
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5. Asks questions upon questions
While most kids ask lots of questions, a gifted kid’s curiosity often exceeds the norm. It’s not unusual to lay your gifted child down to bed, only to have them throw you off with some deep, insightful question like, “Why do wars happen?,” “Do animals get hiccups?,” or “Why can’t they just print more money for the poor?” Because of their intense curiosity, they enjoy solving problems such as puzzles, riddles, or mazes.
6. Thinks school is a snooze-fest
“I can ace that test with my eyes closed! I don’t need to do homework!” Yes, gifted kids ask tons of questions and love to learn, but that doesn’t always translate to the school setting. Most classrooms cater to mid-range learners, often leaving gifted kids bored, under-stimulated, and frustrated when they grasp concepts before everyone else. This is why parents and teachers are often challenged to get gifted kids to complete assignments.
7. Not (necessarily) high-achieving
People often assume that gifted kids are the types to get 4.0s, attend study groups, or do extra credit – however, those are the high-achieving kids, and gifted kids don’t always fall into that category. In fact, many gifted kids have executive functioning issues, causing them to struggle with concentration, time management, and goal-attainment. Sometimes gifted kids have an additional diagnosis that impacts their learning, making them twice-exceptional (2e) students. A 2e designation may entitle them to an education plan designed to challenge them academically while providing disability support.
Unsure if your kid’s IEP/504 plan is giving them a stimulating classroom environment? Here’s how an IEE can help
8. Others don’t always “get” them
Because gifted kids are naturally curious and internally motivated, they tend to resist instruction and can be seen as strong-willed. They may frequently correct peers and teachers, making them appear controlling, bossy, or like a “know-it-all.” However, gifted kids often have a keen sense of humor, and some are highly emotionally intelligent (EQ), empowering them to excel at connecting with others.
9. Their teacher has noticed
Whether or not your child has been evaluated for giftedness, teachers often make efforts to customize education according to each child’s level of mastery. Your child’s teacher may group them with kids at a similar level, offer them advanced classwork, or even send them to higher level classes to study their strongest subjects.
10. Is used to being #1
Does your kid seem to beat themselves up over a low grade or lost soccer match? Gifted kids are often used to excelling in their areas of mastery; this can lead to them reaching impressive achievements, but it can also make them a little too hard on themselves when they don’t perform perfectly.
11. Above-average IQ
Each of the above factors may be signs that your child has an IQ above the norm. However, not just any run-of-the-mill online IQ test can give you accurate results. The best way to discover your child’s abilities is through personalized, comprehensive IQ testing from an Educational Psychologist. Our doctors can administer a variety of evidence-based measures to evaluate your child for giftedness and determine if they may qualify for advanced academic programs.
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Ensuring Your Gifted Child’s Success
If your child is gifted, a typical classroom setting may not be inspiring them to reach their potential. Even the best teachers often lack training or resources to adequately engage gifted students. Our Educational Psychologists provide diagnostic testing to assess your child’s level of giftedness and recommend interventions to promote their academic potential.
So you know you need help, but aren’t sure how to find the right help?
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More about Variations Psychology
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References:
Asynchronous Development (n.d.). National Association for Gifted Children. Retrieved from https://www.nagc.org/resources-publications/resources-parents/social-emotional-issues/asynchronous-development
Frequently Asked Questions about Gifted Education (n.d.). National Association for Gifted Children. Retrieved from https://www.nagc.org/resources-publications/resources/frequently-asked-questions-about-gifted-education
Galbraith, J. (2000).You Know Your Child is Gifted When… A Beginner’s Guide to Life on the Bright Side. Free Spirit Publishing. Retrieved online from https://www.earlychildhoodwebinars.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/You-Know-Your-Child-is-Gifted-When.pdf
Nurturing Early Interests and Strengths (n.d.). National Association for Gifted Children. Retrieved from https://www.nagc.org/resources-publications/resources-parents/young-gifted-children/nurturing-early-abilities
Position Statement (n.d.). National Association for Gifted Children. Retrieved from https://www.nagc.org/sites/default/files/Position%20Statement/Definition%20of%20Giftedness%20%282019%29.pdf
Resources for Parents (n.d.). National Association for Gifted Children. Retrieved from https://www.nagc.org/resources-publications/resources-parents
Sanchez, D. (2019). Helping your Twice-Exceptional (2e) Child Build Frustration Tolerance. Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted. Retrieved from https://www.sengifted.org/post/helping-your-twice-exceptional-2e-child-build-frustration-tolerance
Shinn. M.M. (2018). 5 Tips for Raising Emotionally Intelligent Children. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/5-tips-for-raising-emotionally-intelligent-children
Shinn. M.M. (2019). My Kid Struggles with Writing – How Can I Help? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/my-kid-struggles-with-writing-how-can-i-help
Shinn. M.M. (2020). My Kid Won’t Do Their Homework - What Do I Do? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/my-kid-wont-do-their-homework-what-do-i-do
Social & Emotional Issues (n.d.). National Association for Gifted Children. Retrieved from https://www.nagc.org/resources-publications/resources-parents/social-emotional-issues
Supporting Gifted Children (n.d.). National Association for Gifted Children. Retrieved from https://www.nagc.org/resources-publications/resources/supporting-gifted-children
Webb, J.T. (2011). Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children. Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted. Retrieved from https://www.sengifted.org/post/misdiagnosis-and-dual-diagnosis-of-gifted-children
What is Giftedness? (n.d.). National Association for Gifted Children. Retrieved from https://www.nagc.org/resources-publications/resources/what-giftedness
Young, S. (2018). De-Escalating: Helping Gifted Children Identify Their Emotions and Regain Control. Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted. Retrieved from https://www.sengifted.org/post/de-escalating-young
How to Cite This Blog Article:
Shinn. M.M. (2020). Could My Child be Gifted? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/11-signs-you-have-a-gifted-kid