Characteristics of Gifted Children

    Almost all of our students fit 80-90% of these descriptions. Gifted children are not only quite different intellectually, but also emotionally, socially, and spiritually from average kids. They present different educational and parental challenges. We ask parents to carefully consider this list because we want to insure a correct fit between a child and our program. Many of the children in the program ask very high level questions and it is hurtful to a child’s self-esteem to become aware that they don’t fit in and don’t understand what is being asked. The list can also come in handy for parents of twice-exceptional children, that is, children who are gifted and have some other learning or social difficulty, i.e. dyslexia, ADHD, dysgraphia, sensory awareness difficulties or Asperger’s syndrome. Quite often these kids don’t quite make the cut for a GT program, fall through the cracks in school or are misdiagnosed, even though they are still gifted. We try to provide programs for ALL gifted students regardless of any other learning problem and focus on their strengths rather than weaknesses. The only student we cannot serve is one who is excessively disruptive, for whatever reason, to the other students in the class.

1. •Expresses curiosity about many things
   

2. •Asks thoughtful and complex questions
   

3. •Has an extensive vocabulary and uses complex sentence structure
   

4. •Demonstrates abstract thought processes; thrives on complexity
   

5. •May be very intense or sensitive; shows strong feelings or opinions
   

6. •Is able to express herself / himself well
   

7. •Solves problems or organizes information in unique ways
   

8. •May be highly energetic
   

1. •Has an unusually good memory
   

2. •May exhibit unusual talent in art, music, or drama
   

3. •Has a unusually strong moral sense
   

4. •May be natural leaders
   

5. •Uses previously learned data in new contexts
   

6. •Quick to grasp relationships; draws inferences
   

7. •May see many solutions to a problem
   

8. •Is well able to order things in logical sequence
   

9. •Discusses and elaborates on ideas; gives complicated/detailed explanations
   

10. •Is a fast learner
    

11. •May be developmentally advanced
    

12. •May see ambiguity in factual information
    

13. •Works independently and uses initiative
    

14. •May prefer the company of older children and adults
    

15. •Exhibits a highly developed sense of humor
    

16. •May be perfectionistic, highly self-critical; likes to be the best in everything
    

17. •May have varied interests
    

18. •Has a sustained attention span; shows willingness to persist on challenging tasks (particularly in their area of interest)
    

19. •Is very observant
    

20. •Shows talent in making up and telling stories
    

9. 
   

Feel free to confer with the Director regarding your child's specific circumstances. We allow exceptions, recognize multiple intelligences and acknowledge that test scores and grades are not the only measures of intelligence, nor the whole or end of the identification process.

Further questions about the application process? Email summerwonders@austingifted.org.

Copyright © 2010 Summer Wonders, Inc. All rights reserved.