Week 4

Strengths, Vulnerabilities, Risk Factors and Resiliency

Because gifted students think differently than the large majority of their peer group, they can be especially vulnerable to negative circumstances, while also being able to exhibit remarkable resiliency. Part of the personality of gifted individuals is their ability to experience things more profoundly than others. As a result, they can sometimes feel lonely, isolated, or misunderstood. In this week’s reading, you will read about some of the extremes experienced by gifted children and how they may overcome any resultant difficulties.

Let’s start by reading about some of the vulnerabilities and risk factors. We have already seen these demonstrated in previous text, and you likely saw evidence of this in the movie viewed last week, as well.

Please read the following:

Introversion:The often forgotten factor impacting the gifted. (Burruss and Kaenzig)

Study:Gifted children especially vulnerable to effects of bullying. (Medaris)

Gifted kids at risk: Who’s listening? (Schuler)

Tips for Parents: Worry and the Gifted - How Much is Too Much? (Amend)

Vulnerabilities of highly gifted children. (Roedell)