When giftedness is not recognized as a human trait, but is regarded as a prodigious intellectual benefit, it can become a burden. When giftedness is tied to and measured by academic achievement, then giftedness is misunderstood. When the expectation of a gifted person is academic and professional success, then giftedness can cause anxiety and distress. Giftedness is a life experience, not an educational experience. Giftedness is not what one can achieve, but who one is.
For gifted children or any child, the realization that their exuberant engagement in the classroom is unacceptable can result in significant negative emotional and educational responses. Many gifted children who have had negative experiences in the classroom due to their intense approach to learning have developed a growing disinterest in school, academic underachievement, and the loss of their love of learning. Reversing these emotional and educational consequences can be a steep, uphill battle once a gifted child has been shut down in school.
Shaming any child damages their self-esteem, delivers a significant blow to their self-confidence, and impacts their motivation to succeed in school. Once shut down and shamed, avoiding any display of their exhilaration for learning becomes the only path forward for many gifted students.
Gifted children inevitably grow up. One of the subsequent outcomes of this process of which we know for certain: they grow to become gifted adults.
Giftedness is not a childhood condition or simply a function of education. Giftedness is a lifelong, day-in, day-out , 24-hours-a-day joy and struggle, even for gifted adults.
A joy and a struggle
And this may be true especially for gifted adults as there is a significant lack of research studies and data on adult giftedness, scant information on the behavioral aspects of giftedness in adults, and even less available support or therapeutic help for gifted adults. It’s almost as if we gifted adults don’t exist, but we do. And we are here, shining in all our beautiful, quirky, creative, curious, intuitive and intense glory.
“Wings are not only for birds; they are also for minds. Human potential stops at some point somewhere beyond infinity.” ~Toller Cranston Somewhere back in my early childhood,…
Nope, I never claimed to be gifted. I never believed I was gifted. I understood giftedness because I have three gifted sons and a gifted husband. I saw myself as a supporter of all of you beautifully-special people—I was on the outside looking in, but looking in with my hand and heart outstretched to all of you. Because I got you, I understood you, I supported you, and I loved you.
Crushing Tall Poppies