Giftedness is the asynchronous development in which advanced cognitive ability and heightened intensity combine to create an inner experience and awareness that are different from the norm.

We have formed a list of gifted characteristics[1] (shown below) from a variety of sources. Parents often ask, how do I know if my child is gifted? We hope that this list will be a good starting place for identifying giftedness in your own children. We have also included a list of additional resources[2] for the parents of gifted children.

Characteristics of Giftedness

Disclaimer — Although the items listed below are often seen in gifted children, it should be noted that all gifted children DO NOT exhibit all of these traits all of the time.
Emotional

• Concerns for others (empathy)
• Sensitivity in relationships
• Strong sense of justice
• Interest in life and/or death
• Argumentativeness
• Spontaneity
• High level of energy
• Prefers adult company
• Sophistication
• Discrepancy between personal /social skill s and intellectual skills

Intellectual

• Probing questions
• Curiosity
• Avid reading, detailed planning
• Analytical thinking
• Perfectionist or appears to be disorganized
• Driven to understand the complex things
• Noticing what no one else does
• Need for precision in thinking and expression
• High ability to think abstractly that develops early
• Unusual capacity for memory

Academic

• Originality
• Self-taught
• Large vocabulary, loves "big" words
• Ability to learn in an integrative, intuitive, non-linear manner
• Learns rapidly
• High degree of curiosity
• Boredom

Additional Resources

Resources for Learning About Giftedness:

   Council for Exceptional Children
Davidson Institute for Talent Development
Educational Options, consulting and assessment in Minneapolis
Eric Database, articles on education
Federal Resources
Gifted Children Monthly Magazine
Gifted Development Center(Also Journal of Advanced Development, Gifted Adults)
Hoagies Gifted Resources
MAGE, Michigan Alliance for Gifted Education
NAGC, National Association for Gifted Children
National Foundation for Gifted and Creative Children
Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted
Understanding Our Gifted Journal

Resources for Special Needs of Gifted:

   Answers questions about ADD and ADHD
Help for Parents of Struggling Teens
Information compiled by experts and researchers in the field, especially on minority and under identified groups

Resources for Materials for Gifted:

   Excellent source for books and materials
Excellent source for books on gifted
Math word problems

Possible Scholarships, Grants, and Support:

   Discovery Channel Contests and Information
Intel Science Service, Contests, Grants, Opportunities
Mensa Foundation
NAGC Nicholas Green Award
MIT Free Online courseware
Puzzles and games