Celebrating Talents and Abilities of Highly Gifted Children and Adults
In The Spotlight - Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things
Gifted Children With Learning Disabilities
by Linda Silverman, PhD
Signs of Giftedness
excellent long-term memory
extensive vocabulary
excels in reading comprehension
excels in mathematical reasoning
advanced verbal skills in
discussions
facile with computers
grasps abstract concepts
performs better with more
challenging work
thrives on complexity
highly creative, imaginative
reasons well
is a keen observer
may have acute hearing
has very interesting ideas
extremely curious; asks many
questions
has high degree of energy
perceptive and insightful (seems
"wise")
excellent sense of humor
may excel at art, science,
geometry, mechanics, technology, or music
Signs of Learning Disabilities
poor short-term memory
speaking vocabulary more
sophisticated than written vocabulary
struggles with decoding words
does poorly at computation
refuses to do written work
handwriting is illegible
has great difficulty with spelling
and phonics
struggles with easy, sequential
material
difficulty with rote memorization
often inattentive in class
emotions can overpower reasoning
poor auditory memory
poor listening skills
weak in language mechanics, such
as grammar, punctuation, capitalization, etc.
may be unable to learn unless
interested
performs poorly on timed tests
hopelessly disorganized
finds clever ways to avoid weak
areas
may fail at foreign languages and
subjects emphasizing audition, sequencing, memory
Finding and Serving
Gifted/Learning Disabled Children
Symptoms
chronic ear infections in first
three years, often related to allergies
does not hear name when watching
TV
hyperactivity interspersed with
periods of intense concentration
occasionally gets "glazed look"
easily distracted in noisy
situations
cannot remember three-step
directions
has difficulty learning phonics
has difficulty spelling
has difficulty learning math facts
asks to have directions repeated
or copies children nearby
cannot perform on timed tests in
school
illegible handwriting; letter
reversals
does not complete written
assignments
has difficulty taking notes in
class
has difficulty completing easy
work, but does well with harder conceptsdoes poorly at rote memorization
and drill
does not respond well to remedial
efforts
performs poorly in some classes
and well in others (may be poor at arithmetic, biology,
foreign language, composition, but good at geometry,
physics, creativity math reasoning skills, dictating
stories)
Solutions
immediate medical attention; talk
louder; enunciate words; get eye contact before talking
touch shoulder to get attention
relaxation exercises; check diet
with allergist; test for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder
talk louder and more animated, use
gestures
provide quiet work space.
earphones
write directions on paper
teach sight words and context cues
visualize word, spell backwards
and forwards with eyes closed, write word
have child complete a
multiplication chart and look for patterns
write directions on board; get eye
contact before giving directions
allow student to take timed tests
at home, trying to beat own record
teach student to use a computer or
typewriter
allow child to use word processor
for assignments
use tape recorder: provide carbon
paper to a "buddy" to copy notes
skip easy, sequential material:
teach advanced material holistically
let child learn complex, abstract
concepts instead
teach compensation techniques
instead
concentrate on child's strengths;
use visual presentations; allow child to pursue interests;
use computer-assisted instruction; emotionally engage child
Seqential And Spatial Learners
Sequential Learner
Step-by-step learner
Learns by trial-and-error
Analytic thinker
Good at computation
Follows oral directions well
Learns phonics easily
Good at spelling
Good at rote memorization
Good at timed tests
Good handwriting; neat
Well organized
Progresses sequentially from easy
to difficult material
Learns from models
May need repetition to reinforce
learning
Can show work easily
Good at biology and foreign
languages
Academically talented
Early bloomer
Spatial Learner
Whole-part learner
Learns concepts all at once
Systems thinker-- sees complex
relationships
Good at mathematical reasoning
May be inattentive in class
Poor at phonics
Poor at spelling
Poor at rote memorization;
excellent with abstractions
Poor at timed tests
Poor handwriting
May be disorganized
Learns complex systems easily;
struggles with easy work
Prefers to develop own methods of
problem solving
Learning usually permanent; turned
off by repetition
Arrives at correct solutions
without taking steps
Good at geometry and physics
Creatively gifted
Technologically gifted or
Emotionally gifted
Late bloomer