How To Cope With Being Gifted And Learning Disabled
People deemed gifted and learning disabled are often misunderstood. Those with learning disabilities are often misidentified as mentally retarded or “slow.” Life can be especially challenging for those who are both gifted and learning disabled. While the learning disability causes specific challenges, the real challenge is often the integration of a sense of self that incorporates both the high intelligence and the disability.
What many experts fail to realize is that intellectual giftedness is an exceptional in its own right. Many gifted children experience difficulties that are reminiscent of those suffered by mentally retarded children, from social isolation to the inability to function in a normal classroom. Likewise, a learning disability can cause similar problems. Children who are both gifted and learning disabled face many unique challenges.
Parents need to be aware of the symptoms of both giftedness and learning disabilities. Children who are both gifted and learning disabled often show a large discrepancy between their expected performance and their actual performance on tests and other classroom activities. They may also show a high level of creative intelligence at home that is not reflected in their school grades. These children might also have behavior problems stemming from their frustration with their limitations. If your child shows these symptoms, a learning disability test may be indicated.
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