Gifted Adults Resources & Support

gifted adults

What happens to Gifted Children when they grow up?”

This was a question posed by a participant in a “Parenting Gifted Children” course that I once attended. And I, as always being the class clown, even in adult education. (A sure sign of giftedness!) Jokingly replied “they’re the winos you see on the street with twine holding up their coats!” and to my surprise, the lecturer said “you’re not wrong you know”, and really I did know. Giftedness when not given the opportunity to reach its potential can be disasterous!

If you have come by this site because you have recently discovered your child is gifted or you suspect that your child may be gifted then it is most likely that you are gifted too. They don’t get it off the wind you know! We as parents are always more than willing to blame ourselves if one of our children has inherited something negative from us, for example one of mine inherited extremely crooked teeth from both of us, (cost a fortune to fix) but she also inherited her giftedness from both of us, something most of us are reluctant to recognise.

So if you suspect that your child has inherited their giftedness from you it’s time to start exploring your own giftedness. There’s a few starting places. Check out the list of associated links on the left.

Enjoy the ride!
Fidget

Characteristics of the Gifted Adult

According to the Australian website Gifted & Creative Services Australia, gifted adults often share many of the following set of characteristics:

Perfectionistic and sets high standards for self and others
Has strong moral convictions
Is highly sensitive, perceptive or insightful
Fascinated by words or an avid reader
Feels out-of-sync with others
Is very curious
Has an unusual sense of humour
A good problem solver
Has a vivid and rich imagination
Questions rules or authority
Has unusual ideas or connects seemingly unrelated ideas
Thrives on challenge
Learns new things rapidly
Has a good long-term memory
Feels overwhelmed by many interests and abilities
Is very compassionate
Feels outrage at moral breaches that the rest of the world seems to take for granted
Has passionate, intense feelings
Has a great deal of energy
Can't switch off thinking
Feels driven by creativity
Loves ideas and ardent discussion
Needs periods of contemplation
Searches for ???? in their life
Feels a sense of alienation and loneliness
Is very perceptive
Feels out of step with others

News Headlines

CTYI are hosting a one hour talk on Thursday December 13th at 7pm followed by a wine reception by Professor Tracy Cross of College of William and Mary entitled "What is Gifted Education and why do we need it?". Please email ctyievent@dcu.ie with *Prof Cross Lecture *in the subject line to book.
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MissionV, our innovative virtual worlds schools project has been taken over by the new not for profit organisation MissionV Education Limited and is supported by the National Centre for Technology in Education, DSE and Social Entrepreneurs Ireland. MissionV founders James Corbett and Margaret Keane have been shortlisted for the David Manley Emerging Entrepreneur Awards.
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Check out the parents and teachers blog launched by Giftedkids.ie - Fidget Jones Diary - a sometimes tongue in cheek look at the realities of parenting or teaching a gifted child in Ireland.

Recorded webinars to view: A Global Perspective on Gifted Education, Being an Emotional Coach to Gifted Children, "Social & Emotional Sensitivities", "Classroom Strategies", "Dual Exceptionality", "Characteristics of the Exceptionally Able: Faster, Earlier, Differently", "How to be Your Child's Best Advocate" and “Supporting Exceptionally Able Children's Motivation for Learning”.
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Disclaimer: This is not an expert site, it is run on a voluntary basis and as such is based on opinion and experience but we hope that it acts as a signpost for educational resources and other support services for Irish families with exceptionally able children. By using this website you accept that any dependence by you on such information, opinion or advice is at your own risk.

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Associated Links

What happens to Gifted Children when they grow up?”

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