ADHD? Or is Your Child Actually Gifted?

by Kristyn Crow | More from this Blogger

16 Sep 2006 10:28 AM

Gifted and creative children often have difficulty in the public school system. Their behaviors can mimic ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and they can sometimes be labeled as problem children, daydreamers, or even slow learners. Instead of getting the special educational opportunities that they need and deserve, they are incorrectly classified and improperly held back from achieving their full potential. When gifted children have their talents properly channeled and find an appropriate setting for education, they can make contributions to society which can transform the world.

A New Perspective

Just think...perhaps your child is not just hyperactive, restless, and reactionary, but is in reality bored and unchallenged. Perhaps your son's mind wanders because he is visionary and imaginative. Perhaps your daughter's refusals in class are due to the fact that she sees things in new, intuitive ways. Are you going to medicate this child, accept the diagnosis of ADHD blindly, and force your child to be average?

Searching for Answers

Now this is a new perspective for me. I've been doing a great deal of research on the subject of ADHD lately, and the impact of medication on these kids. I'll have some blogs coming soon with the information I find. But having three children who've been diagnosed with ADHD, two of whom are currently on medication, I find myself in a state of turmoil over the matter. I have witnessed a complete transformation in my two step-daughters, who prior to being on medication were teetering on the brink of academic disaster and now are happy, successful, and making friends. My son who was diagnosed with ADHD has not needed medication and is a gifted child. He is a straight A student, articulate, and extremely intuitive for his age. Where is the boundary, I wonder, between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and a gifted, creative child? I believe it's a blurry line indeed.

Here are some of the characteristics of ADHD children, which, when looked at in a new light, could be considered aspects of a gifted child's nature:

ADHD Problem Behavior: The child is restless and has nervous energy in class.

Gifted Child: The child is eager, alert, and frustrated that the class isn't moving at her pace. She wants to create and DO something.

ADHD Problem Behavior: The child daydreams and is distracted in class.

Gifted Child: He is imagining things, and his mind is flowing with creative ideas that are not being utilized.

ADHD Problem Behavior: The child withdraws from participation with the rest of the class, and seems sullen and unhappy.

Gifted Child: She is a high achiever who is afraid of failure and error. Rather than be wrong or have her unusual ideas misunderstood, she closes herself off from the group.

ADHD Problem Behavior: The child refuses to follow instructions and doesn't do classwork in the prescribed way.

Gifted Child: He is intuitive and comes up with answers without having to do the remedial work. He sees certain school tasks as useless and has his own ideas of how things should work. He's independent and inventive.

ADHD Problem Behavior: The child won't participate in team sports or games and is uncooperative.

Gifted Child: She is aesthetically oriented and is still thinking about the artwork she wants to finish or the story she wants to write.

ADHD problem behavior: The child is sloppy and disorganized.

Gifted child: He is full of creative, abstract ideas without being concerned about order or organization. He is theoretical.

In a future blog I will discuss educational opportunities and strategies for gifted children. For now, I would recommend that parents always keep an open mind with regard to their son or daughter's diagnosis. Search for your child's unique gifts and talents, and don't insist that he or she be ordinary. Seek the appropriate education fit. ADHD? Maybe. But perhaps your child has intuitive gifts that could change the world. What will you do to uncover the truth?

Kristyn Crow is the author of this blog. Visit her website by clicking here. Some links on this blog may have been generated by outside sources are not necessarily endorsed by Kristyn Crow.

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Learn more about Kristyn Crow

Kristyn Crow is the mother of seven children, and the author of three children's books. Visit her website at www.kristyncrow.com.

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dpenna (542) 16 Sep 2006 05:49 PM

Great information! I have researched this as well. I now believe it is possible to misdiagnose ADHD, but at the same time, I think it is entirely possible to be ADHD and gifted. My daughter is both - very advanced by a few years - both academically and creatively. This includes intuition as well. I looked into the 'Indigo Children' theory, but it didn't seem to entirely fit for my girl. Her ADHD trouble has to do with constant hyperactivity which includes climbing on furniture, constant interruptions, fidgeting, and tics that were present at 2 years old. I hope as she grows, she can turn her energy into positive experiences by way of her giftedness - and perhaps then she may be weaned from her medication. I look forward to your future articles on the subject.

Kristyn Crow (2546) 16 Sep 2006 10:56 PM

It's true that a gifted child can also have ADHD. There are books on that scenario. I'll have to blog about it. It's confusing, isn't it...wondering whether your child has ADHD, is gifted, both, or has some other condition with the same symptoms. These kids are so lucky to have devoted mothers like you who are determined to get answers and the best services available. Good luck to you both!

Myra Turner (1560) 17 Sep 2006 08:13 AM

You read my mind! My five year old is advanced for his age, his teacher has suggested that I get him tested for the gifted program. He also has most of the signs of a child with ADHD- I think it was 10 out of 12 on this quiz I took the other day. One of his biggest problems is that he gets soooooo bored when he's not doing something challenging. I am reading a book right now on gifted children so that I can understand how I am supposed to deal with him. It is quite a challenge. Great article.

Anna Glendenning (4234) 17 Sep 2006 08:52 PM

ummmmm I live with a Gifted ADHD man.... Thank goodness he is gifted he is a patten writer and inventor of software.... He runs circles around me! Cant gain weight even in his older age....He is too busy doing ten things at a time. He was a high school drop out--school was too boring for him...Went on and got his masters and has a VERY high IQ. He was a Misunderstood Spaz growing up...couldn't pay attention in class... didn't apply himself and was always on the run.

patientmom (5) 04 Oct 2006 04:06 PM

I'm so glad I've found this article 'Is your child has ADHD or actually gifted. My 7 year old son is very bright child & he is analytical. Give him anything to assemble, he'll just read the manual & it's done. He has mastered the computer without help at the age of 5. He has high grades academically but poor in behavior. My concern is that he is having great difficulty concentrating in class & getting his class work completed. Failure & error keep him frustrated. He is fidgety & he trips all the time. Either he spills the drink or he breaks anything near him because of his lack of self control. There are days when he doesn't want to go to school because he has thinking about the work (like computers )he didnt finish at home. I am still thinking of the best strategy & I am searching for good books about this. Thanks for sharing your article. I am interested to learn more.

Kristyn Crow (2546) 04 Oct 2006 05:02 PM

I'm delighted to hear from you--thanks for sharing your story. It sounds like your son has some incredible gifts. It's great that you are sorting things out and finding the best educational strategies for him. Perhaps he's the next Einstein! (Einstein struggled in school, too.) I plan to do some more blogs on gifted children soon. I do know this: Treat your child like he's gifted, special, and capable, and he will very likely rise to meet your expectations.