Parents' Frequently Asked Questions About Giftedness (continued)

The term 'gifted and talented', when used with respect to students, children, or youth, means students, children, or youth who give evidence of high achievement capability in areas such as intellectual, creative, artistic, or leadership capacity, or in specific academic fields, and who need services or activities not ordinarily provided by the school in order to fully develop those capabilities. (Section 9101(22)) (Page 544)

All areas of giftedness (intellectual, academic, creative, artistic, and leadership) are mentioned in the federal definition. In addition, most state use some form of this or past federal definitions. State Definitions, Laws, and Resources on the Parenting TIPs page lists the state definitions for the 16-states within the Duke TIP Talent Search region. If you reside outside of the Duke TIP region contact your state director of gifted education at your state's department of education to obtain your state's definition of the gifted.

My child is awkward around her peers? How can I help her build better relationships?

Some gifted students struggle with peer relations due to a variety of factors. Sometimes gifted students have difficulty finding true intellectual peers. In other words, they may not have the same interests as other children their age. Often times, such children will prefer older peers or adults when forming friendships. Their advanced maturity also causes them to have more complex expectations for friendships too. Try to connect your child with others who have similar interests and abilities. For example, if your child is interested in science, find a local club or museum that caters to this interest. Participate in summer, weekend, and after school programs designed specifically for gifted students. Participating in such activities will allow your child to meet new people with similar passions, abilities, and concerns. If your child seems excessively withdrawn and uninterested in connecting with others over a prolonged period of time, seek the guidance of a licensed psychologist with expertise in working with gifted children. For more on peer relations and gifted children read the Duke Gifted Letter article, "Finding True Peers."

What can I do if my child is reluctant to attend a residential summer program?

Some middle and high-school aged children understandably are hesitant about leaving the security of their home to venture onto a college campus for two- or three-weeks with hundreds of complete strangers. To help your child prepare for such an experience, get as much information as you can about the prospective program-inquire as to what a typical day is like, secure a course syllabus, and get details pertaining extracurricular activities. Increasing your knowledge about the program will help allay any concerns your child may have. Talk with your child about his or her concerns or fears and gather additional information from the program as needed to address these concerns. If possible, visit the hosting campus and tour the dormitories. Sometimes making the unknown known can make a world of difference. If your child is still reluctant, consider recruiting one of his or her friends to attend too, as there is often safety in numbers! For students who fear failure and thus avoid new risks-eliminate any pressure the child may feel regarding high achievement. Emphasize that participation in the program should not be considered a high-stakes endeavor, but should serve to provide him or her with a challenging and fun experience that is commensurate with his or her abilities. Finally, provide your child with the support he or she needs when confronting this new endeavor. Chances are, having once experienced such a program, he or she will be begging you to return the following year! Read two related articles on the Duke Gifted Letter Web site: "Easing Fears: Unmasking the Mystery of Summer Programs for your Child," and "Spend the Summer Studying? Are you Kidding?"

We're relocating-how can we determine which school in our new community is best for our child?

Read Selecting a School on the Parenting TIPs page for guidance on what factors to consider and what questions to ask of administrators.