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The Gifted Child: Better Off? Or Branded?
By Kim Delmar Cory
highly creative children are misdiagnosed as having ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Both gifted and ADHD children can exhibit similar behaviors such as impulsively, restlessness and inattentiveness. 
Another possible solution, if parents feel their gifted child is unable to thrive in their public or private school setting, is homeschooling. Homeschooling requirements differ from state to state. Educating a child at home can allow for a challenging, creative, exploration-oriented curriculum to be developed around a student's interests.
The most important consideration of whether a child should assume Gifted and Talented standing is whether he or she is ready for challenges and changes. Many gifted children feel they are different from their peers, just like children with learning disabilities and ADHD/ADD. Some may attend special classes and participate in events specific to their gifted status. Some thrive on this special attention; some hate it and may even consider their label a form of branding.
So here's the million-dollar question: Does involvement in a gifted curriculum increase a student's potential for success in academia and life beyond school?
Amanda, currently a junior in high school, scored in the 97th percentile on standardized tests in grade school. Instantly, she and her parents were inundated with "opportunities" that would challenge her intellectually. She took the SATs in 6th grade "for the experience." Local universities invited her to summer programs galore for hands-on science workshops and writing programs specifically targeting the gifted and talented.
Amanda wanted none of it. Her grades to this day have remained "uninspiring," according to her parents. Is she bored and unchallenged in school? Were her parents remiss in not pursuing these opportunities for her? Will Mary's son become an aerospace engineer while Amanda works the night shift at 7-Eleven for eternity?
Probably not.
Every child possesses gifts of his or her own: it is up to parents to help their children unwrap these gifts