Ways To Recognize Whether Your Child Is Gifted

"Is my child gifted?" That is a question many parents ask. Finding the answer is not always easy because gifted children are individuals. They are as different from one another as non-gifted children are from other non-gifted children. They do, however, have a number of traits and characteristics in common.

If you are wondering if your child is gifted, take a look at these common traits and see how many of them fit your child. You can also check for other things, like how quickly your child reached developmental milestones.

Even when you are sure your child has many of those common traits and you realize that your child met several of the developmental milestones early, you still might not be sure.

Not all parents believe their child is gifted, and parents of gifted children are often unsure or reluctant to claim that their child is gifted.

The more you read about gifted children and the concept of giftedness, the easier it will become for you to recognize whether your child is gifted.

* Traits and Characteristics

Parents often wonder if their child is gifted when they see evidence of advanced abilities, for example, early reading, excellent memories, or relating well to adults.

They can begin to get a sense of their child's giftedness by researching the characteristics of gifted children. However, it is important to remember that a child does not have to have all of the traits to be gifted.

* Developmental Milestones

Giftedness tends to run in families, so many of the traits that indicate giftedness are common among extended family members.

Parents may see a sign of giftedness and consider it perfectly normal, average behavior if several family members have the same trait.

Parents sometimes see a list of traits and are unsure if their child really fits the descriptions. In this case, it's helpful to compare a child's development to the average developmental milestones.

* Supersensitivities or Overexcitabilities

Many gifted children have one or more "supersensitivity."3? A child may get his feelings hurt very easily or he may be sensitive to loud noises or be bothered by the seams on socks. A child may also have excess energy and be in constant motion.

While overexcitabilities are common, not all gifted children have these sensitivities.

* Differing Views of the Term "Gifted"

One reason parents and many others have trouble understanding whether a child is gifted or not is the conflicting definitions of the term "gifted." Not everyone who uses the terms is necessarily referring to the same set of qualities.

Learning about the history of the term and the changes in its meaning will go a long way in helping parents understand just what giftedness is and whether their child is gifted.

* Intelligence Testing

IQ testing can help parents determine if their child is gifted, although experts recommend that children not be tested before age five and preferably before age nine since results may not be entirely accurate.5?

Parents usually don't have to have their child tested for giftedness unless it is necessary for them to advocate for their child's educational needs.

Testing can provide peace of mind for parents who have constant doubts about their child's abilities.