A message from the editor:
This bulletin is part of a series of articles discussing strategies for identifying and helping gifted/ld individuals. This particular bulletin focuses on the initial ways for identifying individuals in the K-12 age group. You may find yourself at a different stage in both age and time, but the beginning strategies for this group start in much the same way.
Everyone perceives some kind of problem: she's lazy, he refuses to write anything longer than two sentences. The grades, whether traditional or non-traditional, vary from one reporting period to the next, or are consistently low. Your child or student is unhappy, sometimes they behave inappropriately, or sometimes they sit in the back in the ain their knowledge. Some may draw when asked to keep a journal or be able to make a great video instead of a written document. Include with your samples any concerns you have, as well as any attempted strategies.
This method can be used by any parent or teacher for most situations on which you are trying to focus attention or define, not just gifted/ld. If you have not had a chance to do any reading on gifted/ld, now is the time. We recommend you read both Susan Baum's and Tammy Ellston
Get some samples of bothwhere this person excels and what specific problems they are having. For example, save papers or tests on similiar subjects, but they have ey combinations of characteristics that may exist in gifted/ld individuals, which means identifying them and getting them the help that they need is complex.
The parent(s) and teacher(s) have met. You've agreed on what may be a problem and possibly some short or long term strategies to make the situation better for everyone. Make sure that everyone feels that they are part a team now: the teacher(s), the student and the parent(s). Everyone knowing their part and responsibility for fulfilto make a great video instead of a written document. Include with your samples any concerns you have, as well as any attempted strategies.
This method can be used by any parent or teacher for most situations on which you are trying to focus attention or define, not just gifted/ld. If you have not had a chance to do any reading on gifted/ld, now is the time. We recommend you read both Susan Baum's and Tammy Ellston's articles. The Ellston article gives a clear definition of a child who isnd a psychologist. All of whom are brought in to discuss if they will do a child study and how to evaluate the child. None of this will happen unless you take those first steps.
What I hope you will take from all of this, is to observe your child. Don't get lost in just their behaviors or problems. Look for those gifted qualities too. Some may find that they may be in denial that any problems exist, or that any talents exist. Take the first steps and learn more about thi many combinations of characteristics that may exist in gifted/ld individuals, which means identifying them and getting them the help that they need is complex.
The parent(s) and teacher(s) have met. You've agreed on what may be a problem and possibly some short or long term strategies to make the situation better for everyone. Make sure that everyone feels that they are part a team now: the teacher(s), the student and the parent(s). Everyone knowing their part and responsibility for ur consistent time, attention, and following up with your child/student.
If the strategies do not work, or if they stregthen everyone's feeling that the child/student is gifted/ld, this is only the beginning of finding out what the challenges and gifts are with this individual. A child study may be the next step in the process. It involves additional people, such as an administrator, a special education teacher, and a psychologist. All of whom are brought in to discuss if they will do a child study and how to evaluate the child. None of this will happen unless you take those first steps.
What I hope you will take from all of this, is to observe your child. Don't get lost in just their behaviors or problems. Look for those gifted qualities too. Some may find that they may be in denial that any problems exist, or that any talents exist. Take the first steps and learn more about this very special person in your life.
Educational journals are available at most schools of education. UVA's Curry School of Education Library
website.
Editor's addition: The summer of 1997, we were generously given permission to reprint Tammy Ellston's article on our website by the editor of GTC at Prufrock Publicationswhen we could not find it on the internet.