Gifted Children & Adolescents

Overview of Giftedness in Children 

 

Gifted, creative and highly sensitive children – TEDx talk 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybmgVSdsMu8 

 

What is it? 

• "Gifted, creative and highly sensitive children" is a TEDx talk by Heidi Hass Gable, a parent to three gifted children. At the time of this recording she was president of the City of Coquitlam’s District Parent Advisory Council, and an Ed-Tech consultant. 

• The video explores what it means for a child to be gifted, creative, and highly sensitive.  

• She highlights her experience of the challenges faced by her children in the traditional educational system in terms of a lack of resources and inflexibility of the curriculum.  

• She shares insights and recommendations of ways to incorporate changes to support children with giftedness. 

 

Why is it useful? 

This video is valuable as it sheds light on the often-misunderstood experiences of gifted and sensitive children in the classroom. Heidi points out that gifted children thrive in environments where they feel trusted, supported, and safe to express their authentic selves. Rigid curricula that suppress individuality can create anxiety and hinder their sense of self. She provides practical advice and alternate ways of showing learning that equips viewers with the tools to create a more inclusive and supportive environment. By fostering an open and welcoming space with opportunities for self-directed and democratic learning, educators can empower these children to explore their identities and participate actively. 

 

Gifted Traits and Characteristics 

https://www.davidsongifted.org/prospective-families/gifted-traits-and-characteristics/ 

 

What is it? 

• The Davidson Gifted Organization/Institute in Nevada was founded by the Davidsons to recognize, nurture, and support profoundly intelligent young people and provide opportunities for them to develop their talents to make a positive difference.  

• The article provides a detailed explanation about gifted definitions, traits and characteristics. 

• The website also addresses misconceptions about gifted students, highlighting that giftedness is not solely indicated by high academic achievements. 

 

Why is it useful? 

This resource is valuable for parents, educators, and students seeking to understand and support gifted individuals. Recognizing the traits and characteristics is useful to guide decisions regarding intelligence testing, educational acceleration and tailored support for gifted students. By emphasizing the diverse characteristics of giftedness and dealing with myths, it nurtures a deeper understanding of these children’s unique needs and potentials, promoting informed educational and developmental strategies. 

 

Giftedness in Children and Youth Fact Sheet 

https://cpa.ca/psychology-works-fact-sheet-giftedness-in-children-and-youth/ 

 

What is it? 

• This article by the Canadian Psychological Association provides a well-rounded fact sheet with one definition of giftedness, (three-ring conception encompassing intellectual abilities, creativity, and task commitment) characteristics of giftedness, and an explanation of a multi-exceptional (2e) learner. 

• The article discusses methods to identify gifted children to seek formal psychoeducational assessments if you suspect your child is gifted and would benefit from a formal identification of giftedness. 

• The website provides common facts about giftedness as well as some additional resources from Canada and the USA. 

 

Why is it useful? 

This fact sheet is a reliable resource for parents, educators, and policymakers seeking to understand and support gifted children. This website helps recognize giftedness and underscores the importance of outlining definitions, identification methods, and characteristics to help meet the children’s unique needs.  

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Tool for Assessing Giftedness in the Classroom; Noticing Gifted Behaviours Elsewhere​

Possibilities for Learning 

https://possibilitiesforlearning.com/brilliant-behaviors/ 

 

What is it? 

• Website created by Dr. Lannie Kanevsky to equip educators with in-depth, research-backed tools to plan for gifted learners. 

• The Brilliant Behaviours resource outlines various strengths gifted children might have and Dr. Lannie provides ways for teachers to stimulate, observe, and assess these behaviours in a classroom setting. 

 

Why is it useful? 

This resource plays an important role in plans to differentiate the curriculum for the gifted learner. The purpose of using Brilliant Behaviours is to assess for behaviours that have implications for optimizing the learning for gifted students. The list is based on Maker & Nielson’s Curriculum Development and Teaching Strategies for Gifted Learners. This list is inclusive to all students of different cultural backgrounds, genders, ages, disciplines, and temperaments. Historically it has been accepted as one form of assessment for giftedness in the 2016 Special Education Handbook by the Ministry of Education in British Columbia. 

Note: This website has a teacher-focus, but a new version is being created to have a student-focus.  For “instructions” on how to find and use the Differentiation Strategy Guide and the Brilliant Behaviours Checklist, please see our At School section on "Differentiating" 

 

Giftedness and Friendships 

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Article from Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG) 

https://www.sengifted.org/post/many-gifted-children-have-a-difficult-time-making-friends 

 

What is it? 

• Supporting Emotional Needs of The Gifted (SENG) is a non-profit organization that was founded by the late Dr. James T. Webb in 1981 to offer the gifted community and their caregivers support and education about possibilities and challenges. 

• This article written by Caroline Maguire, M. Ed., PCC and highlights the social challenges gifted children often face due to a lack of opportunity to interact with like-minded peers. 

• The article provides insights into the discrepancies between intellectual and emotional development leading to difficulties in forming friendships with age-matched (instead of ability-matched) peers. 

 

Why is it useful? 

This article allows parents, educators, and caregivers to understand the social challenges by giving a glimpse of what is happening within peer groups. Caroline provides actionable skills parents can practice with their kids to increase their confidence and comfort in making friendships. This article highlights the importance of providing appropriate support and interventions to bolster gifted children’s ability to develop meaningful friendships and navigate social environments. 

 

Multi-exceptionality 

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Bright & Quirky: Website, parent community & information from experts by Licenced Marriage & Family Therapist, Debbie Steinberg Kuntz 

https://brightandquirky.com/ 

 

What is it? 

• An online learning community providing access to expert guidance, science-based tools, and strategies to help 2e/multi-exceptional children thrive. 

• A comprehensive library of over 300 specialized videos featuring leaders in child development, education, and psychology. 

• Guides, quizzes, and masterclasses designed to empower parents with knowledge and practical strategies. 

• Regular video content addressing common challenges and offering insights for parents of 2e/multi-exceptional children. 

 

Why is it useful? 

By providing these resources, Bright & Quirky serves as a valuable lifeline for families navigating the complexities of raising multi-exceptional (2e) children. The platform connects parents/caregivers with expert advice and a supportive parent/caregiver community, equipping them with the tools needed to help their children flourish academically, socially, and emotionally. 

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