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Giftedness and talent are central for understanding and fostering human potential and represent important and exciting research topics. In recent years, numerous new findings on these topics have appeared, some of them as systematic overviews in the form of literature reviews or meta-analyses. This book summarizes important new findings, results, and conceptions. It presents information on the identification and assessment of giftedness and talent and on special fostering options and programs in particular. The book concentrates on the core basics for entering the subject area and provides references to further literature, especially on topics that receive less attention in this book but are nevertheless of great relevance. It is useful for training educators and psychologists, for example, within a seminar. The book begins with the basic question of what giftedness is and how it relates to exceptional performance. It discusses the role that intelligence and creativity play in giftedness, and presents basic knowledge about both constructs. Furthermore, regarding the connection between giftedness and exceptional performance, the book offers a critical perspective on the respective contributions of the differential approach of giftedness research and of expertise research. It discusses three pioneering longitudinal studies with gifted students: the Terman Study and the Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth from the USA and the Marburg Gifted Project from Germany. The book describes the relationship between intelligence and academic achievement, and distinguishes between implicit and explicit theories of giftedness, and the harmony and the disharmony hypothesis. It deals with how gifted students can be identified. Intelligence tests continue to play a central role here, and one will learn what to consider when selecting intelligence tests for giftedness diagnostics and about the problem of ceiling effects in many of the available test procedures. Finally, the book examines supporting gifted students in school and early childhood education. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: chapter)

This chapter introduces 3 models, or lenses, which provide a framework for focusing on work that is client-directed and strengths-based: innerview guidance; transrational philosophy; and solution-focused approach. The authors explain how spiritually integrated coaching practices utilize these 3 lenses and demonstrate the processes that empower the client to become the expert on their own life. The case study explores the coaching journey of Alina, a data-entry clerk in her early 30s, who sought to discover her life's purpose and create a happier life. Despite her Romanian Orthodox upbringing, Alina had lost touch with her spiritual side and felt unfulfilled. The coach employed a unique approach, combining traditional coaching techniques with imaginative exercises and artwork. Through drawing and coloring, Alina was able to tap into her unconscious mind and gain insight into her desires and blocks. The coach used powerful questioning to help Alina explore her images and uncover hidden strengths and areas of giftedness. While Alina made significant progress, including identifying joyful activities and adjusting her work schedule, she ultimately did not find her life's purpose. The coach attributes this to Alina's unresolved childhood traumas and lack of faith dimension in her search for purpose. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: chapter)

This chapter introduces pairing imaginative exercises and artwork with traditional coaching and focuses on working with the symbolic imagination. The author explains the Image Guidance process, which involves the client's own unique imagery. She demonstrates how this is utilized to effect change, thus aiding in the client's journey to finding happiness and life purpose. This case study explores the coaching journey of Alina, a data-entry clerk in her early 30s, who sought to discover her life's purpose and create a happier life. Despite her Romanian Orthodox upbringing, Alina had lost touch with her spiritual side and felt unfulfilled. The coach employed a unique approach, combining traditional coaching techniques with imaginative exercises and artwork. Through drawing and coloring, Alina was able to tap into her unconscious mind and gain insight into her desires and blocks. The coach used powerful questioning to help Alina explore her images and uncover hidden strengths and areas of giftedness. While Alina made significant progress, including identifying joyful activities and adjusting her work schedule, she ultimately did not find her life's purpose. The coach attributes this to Alina's unresolved childhood traumas and lack of faith dimension in her search for purpose. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: chapter)

This chapter focuses on exceptionality, specifically giftedness, in African American, Latinx, and emergent bilingual students (EB) due to the breadth and depth of existing literature on these populations relative to other minoritized groups. It also utilizes Critical Race Theory (CRT) as a framework to understand why these groups have historically been and continue to be excluded from gifted education. Systemic factors such as enrollment in low-resourced and overcrowded schools, tracking, school discipline, and criminalization of minoritized youth create educational inequities. Additionally, racism, narrow views of giftedness, linguistic discrimination, and the instruments and processes used to identify exceptionalities disproportionately impact African American, Latinx, and EB students. These factors often preclude minoritized students from being referred, identified, and placed in gifted programs. The chapter begins with a discussion of how giftedness has been defined. It reviews disparities in gifted education, analyzes said disparities using CRT, examines the unique experiences of gifted African American, Latinx, and EB students, and concludes with a discussion of approaches and recommendations to advance minoritized students' access and success. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: create)

Children with high learning potential or giftedness have remarkable potential. This book offers the DME-C approach, which is a tried-and-tested approach to help children who have challenges relating to their high learning potential, as well as sensory processing differences, unhelpful thought patterns and self-regulation. It draws on the heart of occupational therapy that considers the whole profile of the child, actively caters to the unique profiles of children with dual or multiple exceptionality (DME) or twice exceptionality (2e), and guides therapists towards therapy provision that is strengths-based and achieves favourable outcomes. The book includes a clear and comprehensive introduction to high learning potential and DME or twice exceptionality (2e), along with guidance to help identify children with these profiles. It covers questions and concerns occupational therapists may have when working with children with DME or 2e. The book considers the similarities and differences between high learning potential/DME/2e and neurodivergent conditions such as developmental coordination disorder, autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, with a focus on sensory processing differences. It explains, in easy-to-understand language, the full DME-C therapy approach, with a range of example activities to use in therapy to achieve its principles, and a suggested therapy progression plan. The book is packed full of real-life case studies to translate theory into practice. It empowers therapists and educational professionals further by drawing attention to how they can better relate to children with DME/2e in therapy regardless of the children's specific needs. Full of examples and with the voices of parents and children at its heart, this resource is essential reading for occupational therapists, special educational needs and disabilities coordinators, education psychologists and other relevant professionals who want to improve the lives and wellbeing of children with DME or twice exceptionality and help them reach their full potential. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: book)

Attitudes toward the gifted in a social environment can be either encouraging or inhibiting for their development. The phenomenon of the complexity of giftedness is attracting more attention from numerous researchers. A pluralistic approach to the phenomenon of giftedness opens the way to an empirical validation of the phenomenon, but the abundance of empirical materials from both the twentieth and the twenty-first centuries provide no unambiguous results. The empirical data suggest an increasing percentage (20%t and more) of the gifted are unsuccessful (i.e., the phenomenon of underachievers in schools). This chapter highlights empirical, independent research projects of Krneta, as well as some other relevant researchers. The results obtained from the relevant samples from Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Croatia may be useful to other educational systems in the region, due to the similarities between the Balkan countries. The findings reflect the social context of the countries from the region (i.e., in transition) and may be related to the education of the gifted, the brain drain, and the capacities of the (local) economy to employ the gifted and to use their creative capacities. Implications include a need to design adequate educational support for gifted students and communication in schools. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: chapter)

This book answers the following questions about underachievement: What are the major factors influencing underachievement? Is it a case of once an underachiever, always an underachiever? How is underachievement determined? Are there levels of underachievement, and does it matter? How does it compare to overachieving? Is "underachiever" a preventable status for gifted individuals? How does underachievement look in settings beyond the classroom? and Is it socialized or taught? This book provides an opportunity for researchers, professionals, and practitioners working directly with gifted individuals to engage with and examine the concept of underachievement of highly capable and talented individuals from different perspectives. Chapters written by experts in gifted education from diverse backgrounds explore underachievement in principle, illuminate underachievement as a response to written and unwritten policy and practice, showcase ranges of intellectual capability outside of traditional academic subjects, shift deficit views of not meeting rigid expectations to honoring interests and cultural values of the individual, and provide suggested and proven practices and services as solutions to bridge the gaps in achievement and performance for gifted and talented students. Expertly blending theory with practice, the book is a must-read for all practitioners, educators of gifted individuals, and researchers seeking more opportunities to help students align how they choose to exhibit their talent and efforts with external and internal expectations, personal interests, and cultural values to reach their maximum potential. Part I, "Perspectives", offers background information on underachievement in principle to include factors and manifestation. Part II, "Practices", illuminates underachievement as a response to policy and practices put in place by stakeholders, written or unwritten, and gaps within well-intended policy, that lead to underachievement. Part III, "Possibilities", shifts focus from deficit views to honoring individual interests and cultural values, showcasing gifted students' diverse capabilities beyond traditional subjects and rigid expectations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: chapter)

The cognitive, social, and emotional characteristics of gifted students that lead to underachievement remain misunderstood by many educators. There are still myths that maintain that gifted students should excel in every academic endeavor, and whenever they don't, this is simply them underachieving. There are those who do not acknowledge, let along address, the learning disabilities of gifted student when they co-exist. On the other hand, when students are in a position to move on when ready or compact the curriculum when they have obviously mastered the content, some educators will not extend learning with more rigorous content, also causing the students not to maximize their academic talents. The impactful reality of underachievement of gifted students can generate scars (negative implications) for their entire lives in terms of identity and talent development. As such, the authors emphasize the importance of continuing education for all teachers, of continual and updated training. All students deserve to learn at a pace and level which are respectful (appropriately rigorous, challenging, and responsive to their learners' profile. And it is the responsibility of all educators to strategically and effectively appeal to the unique needs of each student. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: chapter)

This chapter is grounded in the supposition that competitive, varsity-level sports serve as a source that has not been utilized to identify academically gifted students who may have been overlooked and/or underserved, due to the discriminatory nature in which educational systems have historically regarded and identified giftedness in students. There are some scholar-athletes whose kinesthetically gifted traits may otherwise go undervalued and be misperceived as physical talent only. As such, this is a lost opportunity to translate these strengths for academic success, resulting in incomplete development of the gifts and talents, which is another form of underachievement that affects potential in and out of the classroom. The chapter provides an example that offers an ethnographic and anecdotal vignette. It illuminates the positive impact of the intersectionality (compounded effects of overlapping conditions) of a student-athlete's diverse expression of gifts and talents. The authors have laid out evidence and processes that support observing and translating athletic talent as an identified gift to address unidentified and academically-undervalued talents of gifted scholar-athletes. They integrate kinesiology to understand the psychology and cognitive processes behind athletic talent as displayed by on-field cognitive skills. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: chapter)

Giftedness is more than a student's score on an IQ test or their performance on a series of academic tests. It involves every aspect of the person, including intellectual and social-emotional development. Understanding the complex nature of giftedness is the first step to supporting our gifted youth. Designed to provide support for the difficult job of parenting gifted children, this third edition provides the resource one need to not only understand why gifted children are so extreme in their behavior but also learn specific strategies to teach the children how to live with their intensity. This book puts increased emphasis on strategies to help within the home setting, as well as expanding the sections on twice-exceptional children, addressing social-emotional learning and the impact of trauma, expanding support for unhealthy perfectionism and executive function underdevelopment, and the most recent research regarding the social and emotional needs of gifted children. Presented in a readable and practical format, updated case studies and role-playing scenarios bring the information to life to provide with the tools needed to make a positive and lasting impact on child. The book includes an updated research addressing the neurobiology of gifted people and the social-emotional development of gifted children, including toddlers. It presents new and expanded case studies, role-plays, and interviews with parents of gifted children to provide real-world examples of the information. The book shares tips to address underperformance, perfectionism, and social-emotional wellness and explains evidence-based strategies to assist parents in helping build emotional intelligence, resilience, and empathy in their children. The book discusses updated and expanded resources which provide parents and educators with extended learning opportunities in areas of interest or concern. This practical new edition is a must-read for anyone wishing to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of gifted children. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: book)

Gifted programs, designed to enhance engagement and rigor for students exhibiting talent or potential beyond their peers in the general education classroom, are not equitably identifying and serving Hispanic/Latino students. This qualitative study explored gifted programming at a Title I elementary school located in a largely Hispanic/Latino community. Very few students received gifted services at the school, despite equity measures in place. Using a framework of educational capital, this study highlighted the cultural capital and community cultural wealth of gifted Hispanic/Latino students and provided suggestions for enhancing programming for this historically underidentified population of learners. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews of parents and teachers of students receiving gifted services. Questions were aligned with concepts of capital, and a priori codes were used to analyze participant perspectives. Findings identified embodied cultural capital as the dominant gifted paradigm, but inequitable opportunities to learn hinder students' ability to embody giftedness. Also, the linguistic capital of other cultures has been unrecognized by gifted testing, impacting access for gifted emergent bilingual students. Finally, barriers to success (e.g., low levels of rigor and engagement at the school, lack of opportunity to test for the gifted program, and lack of navigational capital for parents and teachers) threaten the vibrant hopes and dreams parents and teachers have for these students. Findings support the need for increased gifted programming in Title I schools and updated gifted policy to reflect culturally inclusive values. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)

African American students are underrepresented in gifted programs in American public schools. This is due in part to the teachers' role in the gifted identification process. Classroom teachers are asked to refer students for evaluation for gifted services. To effectively do this, teachers must understand the unique challenges faced by gifted students from diverse populations, be able to recognize potential and be willing to explore their own perceptions about giftedness. When considering the historical plight of African Americans and their quest for an equitable education, coupled with current statistics on income, employment and educational attainment, the need to address this issue becomes clear. Students of high ability, regardless of race, must be given opportunities to realize their potential, ultimately benefiting the individual and society at large. The purpose of my study was to ascertain elementary school teachers' perceptions of giftedness toward African American students and to determine the impact that professional development on underachievement, implicit bias, deficit mindset and recognizing giftedness in diverse populations has on teachers' perceptions. Using an online questionnaire and activities designed to capture teacher's perceptions of giftedness, qualitative data were collected before and after teachers participated in a series of professional development sessions. The data collected were analyzed using codes and themes. Grounded in Critical Race Theory, my action research study provided an opportunity for teachers to explore factors that contribute to inequitable trends in gifted education and provided an opportunity for teachers to reflect on their roles in perpetuating or minimizing this historical concern. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)

Years of teaching experience have long been taken as an important indicator of teacher and school quality in primary and secondary schools. However, research on the effects of teacher years of experience on student outcomes has shown mixed results. To investigate the source of variation causing these mixed results, this study examined a broad range of student and classroom compositions that might affect the relationship between teacher years of experience and student outcomes, including standardized test scores in English Language Arts and Mathematics, Social-Emotional Test scores, and the count and severity of student disciplinary incidents. Using multilevel regression, this study analyzed longitudinal data obtained from the largest school district in the state of Arizona, Mesa Unified School District, which is classified as a mid-high poverty district. Despite the large sample size, a very weak and non-significant relationship was found for teacher years of experience on any student outcome. In contrast, student and family demographic backgrounds were significantly related to student outcomes. English and Math scores were significantly associated with student giftedness, home languages, and English learning status. Social-emotional test scores were significantly related to race/ethnicity, home languages, and special education status. Both discipline counts and severity were statistically associated with race/ethnicity, and gender, while special education status was significantly related only to discipline severity. In addition, classroom composition variables based on student and family demographics, and students' prior year scores on the outcome were significantly related to student outcomes. These results suggest that student characteristics, contextual classroom composition variables arising from student backgrounds are more important in predicting student outcomes than teacher years of experience, at least in a mid-high poverty school district. Therefore, student placements might be a key to addressing educational inequity for high-need students in mid-high poverty schools, consistent with prior studies in high-poverty schools. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)

Understanding identity development among individuals with gifts and talents (IWGT) can empower its stakeholders to support their journey towards well-being and life success. In an era where educational institutions are struggling to prioritize students' social-emotional skills, it is imperative to prioritize the psychosocial development and identity achievement of IWGT. With the help of structural equation modeling, the present study aimed to assess how intrapersonal aspects (indicated by hope, purpose, curiosity, and exploration); interpersonal factors (indicated by school environment and family environment); and their interaction influence the identity development of IWGT. Convenience sampling was used to recruit 238 participants in the undergraduate program (18-25 years) at a university known for its high selectivity in admissions, which was used as an indication for giftedness. Among the total number of participants, 70% identified themselves as female, 62% were first-year students, and 67% identified themselves as White. The study found a strong positive relationship between intrapersonal factors and identity development within the hypothesized model. However, there was no significant relationship between interpersonal factors and identity development. This suggests that IWGT may rely more on intrapersonal resources for identity development, emphasizing the significance of understanding their internal dynamics in identity development during emerging adulthood. However, further research across diverse contexts is needed to explore the influence of family and school environments to understand the ideology and relationship domains. The findings suggest that interventions aimed at fostering the intrapersonal aspects (hope, purpose, curiosity, and exploration) may have a positive impact on identity development among IWGT. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)

12 teachers, representing five schools in a district, shared via individual interviews their insights regarding giftedness and the needs of gifted students. These interviews explored the characteristics of giftedness and gifted education, the needs participants identified through their experiences with their students, the choices participants made regarding these needs, and the various ways participants reflected on these choices. This study used reflexive thematic analysis and transformative learning theory to make sense of the data, and a reparative approach shaped the study's approach to the collection and analysis of the data. This study found that participants tended to think in terms of students-as-individuals, using their relationships with students to identify and meet their unique needs. Knowledge of students' lives and varying constructions of giftedness informed participants' choices regarding services provided in gifted serving classrooms. Participants reflected on their choices; however, reflection was sometimes limited by few opportunities to discuss with and learn from other peers in gifted education. This study identifies implications for gifted education, teachers in gifted education, school and district leadership, and researchers. Teachers with school and district leadership would benefit by exploring ways to encourage and support peer feedback and discussions that provide opportunities to share their experiences and learn from each other. Researchers would expand the understanding of gifted education by including the voices of more stakeholders, including teachers, and better understanding the ways teachers make choices in relation to students' needs. Also, this dissertation calls for a reparative approach to research, one that focuses on potential rather than deficits. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)

This study addressed the problem of the under recognition of culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse (CLED) elementary school student populations in gifted and talented (GT) programs in the United States. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to identify to what administrators in exemplar schools in the United States attribute the equitable recognition of CLED students in their GT programs. Critical race theory (CRT) informed this study and was supported by an appreciative inquiry approach. The research questions explored equitable recognition and best practices described to encourage equitable recognition of CLED students in GT programs. Elementary school administrators who served in schools with equitable recognition of CLED elementary student populations in GT education programs were targeted for participation. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with seven participants who met the criteria of (a) being elementary school administrator leaders (principals, assistant principals, teacher leaders), (b) managing and supporting GT programs, and (c) having 3 or more years of experience in their role. Data analysis involved the use of a priori and open coding to identify codes, categories, and themes. The emergent themes were (a) equity-focused leadership dispositions; (b) equitable GT best practices, awareness, and responsiveness to the needs of CLED students; and (c) equity and GT-focused professional development. The findings of this study may contribute to positive social change by informing education stakeholders of practices and leadership dispositions to cultivate and recognize giftedness in CLED students, potentially diversifying GT education programs to equitable levels. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)

The purpose of this quantitative comparative study using ex post facto data was to determine if or to what extent there is a statistically significant difference in total behavioral risk (as measured by mySAEBRS) between male and female middle school students who participate in subject-based acceleration and between those who do and do not participate in subject-based acceleration in a large school district in the Southwestern United States. The sample size was (n = 240). The theoretical foundations for the study were the Differentiated Model of Giftedness and Talent and Social Learning Theory. The mySAEBRS metric was used to measure total behavioral risk. Three research questions guided the study and were tested with a series of three different independent samples t-tests. The first question asked if there was a statistically significant difference between male accelerated and male non-accelerated students. An independent samples t-test, M = +6.206, 95% CI [3.559, 8.854], t(124) = 4.640, p<.001, d = .827, indicated a statistically significant difference. The second research question asked if there was a statistically significant difference between female accelerated and non-accelerated students. An independent samples t-test, M+8.146, 95% CI [5.614, 10.678], t(112) 6.374, p<.001, d=1.201, indicated another statistically significant difference. The final question asked if there was a statistically significant difference between male and female accelerated students. An independent samples t-test, M +1.029, 95% CI [-1.499, 3.557], t(112) = 806, p = .422, d = 152 determined no statistical significance. These findings contributed to the body of literature on the social and emotional effects of subject-based acceleration. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)

Deciding where to enroll their children in educational settings presents African American mothers of gifted children with on-going and multifaceted decisions to navigate. This qualitative study explored the narratives and experiences of African American mothers navigating the educational journeys of their intellectually gifted children. Drawing from personal reflections and existing literature, the research situates itself within the historical context of gifted education in American schools and the disproportionate impact on the African American community. Despite extensive research on disproportionality in gifted education, there remains a gap in the literature focusing on the lived experiences of African American individuals, particularly mothers, regarding the education of gifted children. Through the lenses of Person-Environment Fit Theory and Endarkened Feminist Epistemology, this dissertation aims to fill this gap by exploring the multifaceted challenges, opportunities, and perspectives encountered by African American mothers in advocating for and supporting their gifted children. Using SistaCircle Methodology, the study highlights themes such as the complexities of the 'gifted' label, intersectionality of race, gender, and giftedness, the intricate decision-making processes, mental health challenges, sacrifices, and feelings of isolation experienced by these mothers. The findings emphasize the importance of aligning individual needs with environmental supports to promote optimal development and well-being in gifted children within diverse cultural and societal contexts. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the unique circumstances of African American mothers raising gifted children and calls for greater recognition and support within educational systems and broader society. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)

Twice exceptional (2e) students show unique characteristics of any disability and giftedness which may include students who have learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as mandated by Child Find (Baldwin et al., 2015; Berninger & Abbot, 2013; Cain et al., 2019; Leroux & Levitt-Perlman, 2000; Wrightslaw, 2018, par. 1) Evaluation procedures should look similar to gifted and special education assessments to create a cumulative profile of the student (Morrison & Rizza, 2007; Rizza & Morrison, 2007). The closest prevalence estimation of identified 2e students is about 6% (National Education Association, 2006). This 6 participant qualitative study was coded using the lens of Bandura's self-efficacy (1977). Results showed that current practices varied depending on the district's resources. Although they felt prepared, most participants reported that they had no training in identifying 2e students. Those who were not confident in their ability reported they wanted a clearer role and more training. From this, state and federal policies should look at defining a clearer role for school psychologists in the evaluation process through a more formalized plan and adding a check box on the ETR form. School districts and administration should also create a policy that clarifies roles and expectations for all parties involved in the evaluation process. They should also make sure that there are no scheduling conflicts for services provided to 2e students. Finally, more professional development should be done either by graduate programs or continuing education programs to increase the identification knowledge of 2e students. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)