The National Association for Gifted Children define Giftedness as, “Students with gifts and talents perform, or have the capability to perform, at higher levels compared to others of the same age, experience, and environment in one or more domains. They require modifications to their educational experiences to learn and realize their potential”.

Giftedness is not strictly limited to academics.  Traditionally giftedness is viewed as having a high IQ.  However,  Gifted and Talented Individuals can be artists, athletes,  and musicians (to name a few).

Characteristics of Talented and Gifted Individuals:

• They learn more quickly and independently than most students their own age.

• They often have well-developed vocabulary, as well as advanced reading and writing skills.

• They are very motivated, especially on tasks that are challenging or difficult.

• They hold themselves to higher than usual standards of achievement.

• Strong sense of curiosity

• Enthusiastic about unique interests and topics

• Creative problem solving and imaginative expression

• Absorbs information quickly with few repetitions needed

Additionally, students with gifts and talents:

 • Come from all racial, ethnic, and cultural populations, as well as all economic strata. 

• Require sufficient access to appropriate learning opportunities to realize their potential.

 • Can have learning and processing disorders that require specialized intervention and accommodation. 

• Need support and guidance to develop socially and emotionally as well as in their areas of talent. 

• Require varied services based on their changing needs.

Social Emotional needs of Gifted Children

Gifted students experience their emotional and social development in a way that is significantly different from neurotypical children.  Two of the main terms associated with the emotional development of gifted children are intensity and asynchronicity. Gifted children oftentimes experience great intensity in their interests and passions.  This is often needed in achieving amazing things, but can be difficult for gifted children to navigate when the world doesn’t align with the way they view things.

Additionally, gifted students have asynchronous development.  This means that their growth socially, academically, emotionally, and physically is not uniform.  Profoundly gifted students may be intellectually performing at college level while still developing skills to ride a bike or develop their handwriting.