Gifted vs. ADD - I Don't Know if My Child is ADD or Gifted

By Stuart Ackerman  MSc.Ed.,B.A.

According to the Eric Digest, there are some differences  between ADHD and giftedness.

Behaviors associated with ADHD (BARKLEY, 1990).

1. Poorly sustained attention in almost all situations
2. Diminished persistence on tasks not having immediate consequences
3. Impulsivity, poor delay of gratification
4. Impaired adherence to commands to regulate or inhibit behavior in social contexts
5. More active, restless than normal children
6. Difficulty adhering to rules and regulations

Behaviors associated with giftedness (WEBB, 1993).

1.      Poor attention, boredom, daydreaming in specific situations

2.      Low tolerance for persistence on tasks that seem irrelevant

3.      Judgment lags behind development of intellect

4.      Intensity may lead to power struggles with authorities

5.      High activity level; may need less sleep

6.      Questions rules, customs and traditions

     It is important to look at the situations in which your child's behaviors are problematic. Gifted children typically do not exhibit problems in all situations. By contrast, children with ADHD typically exhibit the problem behaviors in virtually all settings "including at home and at school" though the extent of their  problem behaviors may fluctuate significantly from setting to setting.

Source: Eric Digest

   ©Tutorgiant.com

  Bookmark this on Delicious    Share on FriendFeed   Share