Definitions

It is important that we define giftedness and establish some truths about gifted individuals. Here are some current definitions of giftedness:

• “A gifted person is someone who shows, or has the potential for showing, an exceptional level of performance in one or more areas of expression.” National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)
  
  
• "… children and youth who give evidence of higher performance capability in such areas as intellectual, creative, artistic, or leadership capacity, or in specific academic fields, and who require services or activities not ordinarily provided by the schools in order to develop such capabilities fully." Gifted and Talented definition, The Javits Act (1988)

• "Outstanding talents are present in children and youth from all cultural groups, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor." US Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) (1993)

• Gifted behavior occurs when there is an interaction among three basic clusters of human traits: above-average general and/or specific abilities, high levels of task commitment (motivation), and high levels of creativity. Gifted and talented children are those who possess or are capable of developing this composite of traits and applying them to any potentially valuable area of human performance. "Renzulli

• Giftedness is asynchronous development in which advanced cognitive abilities and heightened intensity combine to create inner experiences and awareness that are qualitatively different from the norm. This asynchrony increases with higher intellectual capacity. The uniqueness of the gifted renders them particularly vulnerable and requires modifications in parenting, teaching, and counseling in order for them to develop optimally.  Silverman/The Columbus Group

As you can see, definitions are quite varied among experts with the one common factor focusing on the high performance or high performance potential of the gifted child. Most recently, the research has shifted to focus more heavily on giftedness as asynchrony, as stated in the Silverman definition above. Certainly, as more research is done, it appears that there is a correlation between asynchronous development, intellectual ability and increased sensitivities. We will explore these ideas in more depth as we move through this course.

Reading Assignment

Giftedness and the Gifted: What's It All About? (ERIC)

Giftedness As Asynchronous Development (Tolan)

Is it a cheetah? (Tolan)