Giftedness 101: The Starter Kit
The Ultimate Guide to Trusted Resources, Readings, and Support for Gifted Folks of All Ages
Learning that you or someone you love is gifted—or might be—can feel like being handed a nesting doll. Just as you think you’ve uncovered the first truth, you open it to find another question inside—and then another. This is especially true for gifted folks prone to chasing interesting topics down intellectual rabbit holes (raises hand).
For those new to Beyond Gifted, I wanted to share some of my most trusted resources, readings, and support options for bright adults and parents of gifted kids.
This is by no means a comprehensive list but I’m confident it is a good starting point without being hopelessly overwhelming. As always, if there is something specific you are looking for, please drop me a note in the comments or send me a message.
Table of Contents
People often stumble into gifted land as a parent or teacher of gifted kids, a gifted adult who learned about their giftedness while being evaluated for something else, or as a gifted person discovering giftedness is still relevant past childhood.
This guide is organized to meet the needs of these different groups. Simply click on any of the links below to jump right to that section.
Understanding Giftedness
Giftedness is a brain-based difference affecting how a person learns, relates, and makes meaning in the world. Here are some ways to conceptualize giftedness:
Gifted Identification and Definitions:
What’s a “Gifted Adult” Anyway? (Substack) This article introduces The Biopsychosocial Model of Gifted Development that I created and use in my practice with clients. An expansive, flexible, yet operationalized definition.
The Neuroscience of Giftedness. (Substack) I worked for years in neuroscience research with gifted children and adults. Our lab, as well as others, consistently found brain-based differences in gifted people.
The Top 3 Lies You’ve Been Told About Giftedness. (Substack) If you’ve only heard that giftedness equals high IQ, only matters in childhood, or that gifted people are all “tortured geniuses,” you’ll appreciate learning the truth.
Three More Lies You’ve Been Told About Being Gifted. (Substack) More misconceptions and clarifications about what being gifted actually means.
How to Tell If You’re Gifted—or Just Really Good at School. (Substack) Many people confuse giftedness with high achievement. This practical article provides a comparison chart of gifted vs. high-achiever traits.
4 Unexpected, Research-Backed Signs Your Child is Gifted (Substack) Common gifted signs and behaviors in children that are often overlooked.
Am I Gifted? Is My Child Gifted? (Substack) Suspecting you are gifted is a good clue to the answer.
Lived Experience of Giftedness:
Learning about the lived experience (phenomenology) of giftedness can help you to finally make sense of yourself or your child.
Living With Intensity (Book) This is an all-time favorite book for learning about the inner lives of gifted people, from overexcitabilities to perfectionism to positive disintegration. If you read one book about giftedness, make it this.
You Don’t Owe the World Your Gift (Substack) Many gifted people feel isolated, alone, and guilty for not “living up to their potential.” This article explains why giftedness isn’t a debt to be repaid in performance.
Is Gifted Kid Burnout Real? (Substack) A lot has been said about gifted adults whose lives didn’t turn out as planned. This article highlights the common experiences of gifted burnout, existential depression, and disillusionment.
For Parents and Teachers of Gifted Kids
Raising and teaching gifted kids is a different sport altogether. Here are some evidence-based resources for schooling, parenting, and finding a supportive community (socio-emotional resources can be found further down).
School Support:
Beyond Gifted Services (Education Consulting/Parent Coaching) I work with families one-on-one to locate and design personalized education options for their unique gifted and 2e children. With over 15 years of experience and master’s degree in gifted development, I provide evidence-based support and proven strategies for educating and parenting bright kids.
Finding the Right Educational Fit for Your Gifted or Twice-Exceptional Child (Substack) I wrote this guide to help you understand identification, educational models, and how to make a great school decision for your child.
Why Perfectionism Hurts Gifted Kids—And How to Help Them Thrive (Substack) Placing a gifted child in a traditional school can backfire. This article outlines multiple strategies for helping bright kids overcome perfectionism.
I Spoke to 500+ Gifted Teachers in 48 Hours—Here’s What I Learned (Substack) Gifted teachers today are contending with a lot. Here’s the truth about gifted education today—straight from the teachers themselves.
Teaching Gifted Kids in Today’s Classroom: Strategies and Techniques Every Teacher Can Use (Book) My favorite “starter” book for teaching gifted learners in the modern classroom.
Parenting:
Virtual Caregiver Support Groups (Support Group) I facilitate these virtual support groups to help parents of gifted and 2e kids with their most pressing needs, joys, and challenges.
How to Parent Your Gifted Child (Substack) What the research says about effective strategies for raising healthy, happy gifted kids.
The 5 Worst Pieces of Advice Given to Parents of Gifted Kids (Substack) There are so many myths and a lot of bad advice out there about raising gifted children. Here are some of the most common myths and realities.
Gifted and Distractible (Julie Skolnick, M.A., J.D.; Book) Strategies for supporting 2e children through a strengths-based lens.
A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children (Amend, Kircher-Morris, Gore; Book) Evidence-based, compassionate, and practical parenting advice.
Community and Professional Organizations:
Gifted Homeschoolers Forum (Community Organization) A great resource for home educating your gifted or 2e child. Webinars, courses, events.
National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) (Professional Organization) The largest organization in North America for professional learning, research, advocacy, and policy related to gifted children and gifted education. Consider joining your state’s local NAGC affiliate for local resources.
World Council for Gifted and Talented Children (WCGTC) (Professional Organization) Similar to NAGC, this is the global professional organization for gifted children, best known for their large global conference every two years.
Davidson Institute (Community Organization) Exceptional programs and resources for profoundly gifted youth.
For Gifted Adults
Being gifted doesn’t end when you turn 18. Here are some supports for gifted adults:
Career Support:
Beyond Gifted Services (Career Consulting/Coaching) For more than 15 years, I’ve helped gifted people navigate their careers when they have too many interests, passions, and sensitivities for a narrow career path. If you’d like personalized career support, this is your place.
The CURIOUS Career Workbook™: Redesigning Work for Gifted, Creative, and Multi-Talented Minds (Book) The book I wrote with over 25+ exercises for job crafting and building a career that fits your mind, strengths, and life.
When Smart Isn’t Enough: Why Gifted Adults Struggle at Work (Substack) This article covers the latest research on gifted adults’ career challenges, including why giftedness can be a liability in the workplace.
Beyond Burnout: How Gifted People Can Design Meaningful Work (Substack) Introduces the CURIOUS Career Framework™, my original career development model for gifted, creative, and multi-talented folks.
I Made Up My Job. You Can Too. (Substack) Strategies for developing a portfolio career that actually meets your evolving needs.
Communities:
SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted) (Community Organization) The only organization focused exclusively on the social–emotional needs of gifted people. I’m trained through SENG to facilitate virtual gifted support groups (register here).
Bright Insight Support Network (Community Organization) A highly engaged, grassroots network of resources, events, and neurodivergent support providers run by my incredible colleague Dr. Patty Gently.
InterGifted (Community) Another great organization supporting gifted folks through their online community, books, workshops, and events.
For Gifted People of All Ages
Socio-Emotional Support:
Virtual Support Groups (Support Group) I’m trained through SENG to facilitate these groups to help gifted and 2e adults with their socio-emotional needs.
Are You Gifted, Autistic, ADHD—or All of the Above? (Substack) One of my most read articles of all time outlining the research, behaviors, similarities, and differences between each of these in five pages of science-backed charts.
Gifted and ADHD Brains Never Stop Racing—Here’s One Technique That Actually Works (Substack) When you have hundreds of questions and thoughts every day and can’t get your brain to settle, try this technique.
From Gifted to Autistic—A Spectrum of High Intelligence (Substack) What research has found about the overlap between giftedness and autism.
Therapy by Chatbot? Where to Find a Human Gifted Therapist Instead (Substack) AI provides a new frontier for psychological support, but it’s not always the best answer for gifted people. This article outlines the pros and cons, as well as resources for finding a therapist specializing in giftedness.
Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children and Adults (Webb, Amend, Beljan.; Book) Essential reading for understanding the differences between giftedness and various mental health concerns.
Searching for Meaning: Idealism, Bright Minds, Disillusionment, and Hope (Webb; Book) Another all-time favorite book I recommend for gifted idealists and existential meaning-seekers looking to make sense of it all.
All The Places You Can Find Me
Substack Newsletter evidence-based insights for gifted people of all ages
Virtual Community Support Groups for gifted and 2e adults and caregivers
Career Coaching for gifted and 2e adults (Beyond Gifted Services)
Education Consulting and Parent Coaching (Beyond Gifted Services)
The CURIOUS Career Workbook™: Redesigning Work for Gifted, Creative, and Multi-Talented Minds (paperback and digital)
Affiliate disclosure: Some of the book links in this article are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Earnings offset the cost of scholarship spots in our gifted community groups. Libraries and local booksellers are always wonderful options!
Commenting so that maybe I remember to come back to this!