Giftedness 101

by Linda Kreger Silverman

"Linda Silverman is an articulate, insightful, authoritative, and extremely "gifted" international expert in the assessment of giftedness...[She] has created a gem with Giftedness 101. The fields of psychology and education should welcome this vibrant book with open arms."

Alan S. Kaufman, PhD
Yale Child Study Center
School of Medicine

"This is a really terrific book! I'm really impressed at how much information has been packed into it, how accessible it is (without talking down to the audience), and how well the author has parsed the many key issues in the world of giftedness. Parents and mental health professionals with find this book incredibly useful. I look forward to sharing it far and wide. I think it is a book that was badly needed and will really fill a niche."

Corin Goodwin
CEO & Executive Director, Gifted Homeschoolers Forum

"This is the most thorough history, explanation, and call to action for gifted advocates you will find."--Laughing at Chaos Blog

What is giftedness? Is it the potential for success or is it the experience of being an "outsider"? This book addresses the unique psychological needs of gifted children, which are often manifested as "feeling different," and examines special issues such as gifted children with learning disabilities, gender considerations, implications of socio-economic status, and more.

Giftedness 101 dispels common myths about giftedness and challenges the view that eminence is the true signifier of giftedness. It offers specific guidelines to psychologists, parents, and teachers; describes comprehensive assessment of the gifted; provides support for the twice exceptional; and focuses on the complex inner world of the gifted. The book defines giftedness as a psychological reality with powerful ramifications throughout the lifespan. Giftedness 101 will be a valuable, eye-opening resource for psychologists, educators, and other professionals who work with the gifted, as well as gifted individuals and their families.

Key Features:

Provides a concise, accessible overview of one of the most important and challenging topics in psychology and education Examines the concept of giftedness across the lifespan Covers both the intellectual assessment and development of gifted individuals as well as the psychological well-being issues of this population Written by a prominent expert in the field of the psychology of giftedness

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Parenting, Education, Adhd, Self Help

358 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Linda Kreger Silverman, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical and counseling psychologist who has contributed more than 300 publications to the field, including the textbook Counseling the Gifted and Talented, based on Dabrowski's theory, and Upside-Down Brilliance: The Visual-Spatial Learner. She founded and directs the Institute for the Study of Advanced Development and its subsidiary, the Gifted Development Center (www.gifteddevelopment.com), which has assessed more than 5,500 children in the last 30 years.

Silverman created the only journal on adult giftedness, Advanced Development, dedicated to promoting Dabrowski's theory. Co-chair of the NAGC Task Force on Assessment, she advises major test publishers, organizes symposia on assessment of the gifted, and has been instrumental in the development of extended norms for the WISC-IV.

Her latest book, Giftedness 101 (New York: Springer, 2013), went into third printing within 6 months of its release. A popular presenter, Linda has keynoted conferences in New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Denmark, Ireland, the U.S., and others.

Reviews

[Jemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really fascinating book. About 60% of gifted children are introverted. About 75% of highly gifted children are introverted. Introversion correlates with introspection, reflection, the ability to inhibit aggression, deep sensitivity, moral development, high academic achievement, scholarly contributions, leadership in academic and aesthetic fields in adult life, and smoother passage through midlife.

I wonder, to what extent might introversion be correlated with attachment anxiety. I.e., these individuals tend to ruminate more. If those high in avoidance anxiety display more destructive behaviour when stressed (a lack of inhibition when stressed, or something else?) does introversion or extraversion moderate these effects? Is this the right question to be asking? What about the impact of socialisation on attachment and personality?

[Beth Gea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gifted is how a person is wired, not what a person produces.

Este libro es interesante como introducción y me ha abierto los ojos en muchos aspectos relacionados con las personas gifted, que en castellano se traduce por superdotada o persona con altas capacidades. Son conceptos y palabras que, la mayoría de veces, vienen cargadas de connotaciones negativas.

El libro está orientado a psicólogos o profesionales de la educación que quieran saber más sobre este campo tan estigmatizado y se nota, porque hay capítulos, como en el que se centra en los tipos de tests que existen, que se hacen muy aburridos y en los que te pierdes entre tantos acrónimos que, a mi personalmente, no me importaban demasiado. Yo lo que quería era más sobre personas gifted.

Sin duda voy a leer más sobre el tema.

[Zooey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book. Don't let the tacky title throw you off (lol, I didn't expect much of it at first because of the "101" part). Every piece of information was incredibly valuable, insightful and backed by research. It helped me so much to understand myself better.

One thing which has helped me exceptionally is the visual-spatial learner concept. I have struggled so much in the education system which is based on step by step auditory-sequential learners. Learning about visual-spatial learning has resulted in me embracing my way of doing things, leading to more self-acceptance!

If you suspect you're gifted, please read this. Silverman understands perfectedly that being gifted does not simply mean high achievements and eminence, she actually realizes that giftedness comes with a turmoil of inner differences from the norm. And all this in understanding and compassion. I could not have asked for more of this book. Superb!

[Corin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really terrific book! I'm really impressed at how much information has been packed into it, how accessible it is (without talking down to the audience), and how well the author has parsed the many key issues in the world of giftedness. Parents and mental health professionals with find this book incredibly useful. I look forward to gushing about it far & wide. I think it is a book that was badly needed and will really fill a niche.

[Celia Suárez Cob · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Giftedness 101" de Linda Kreger Silverman ofrece una visión integral de la superdotación, abarcando aspectos que van desde la definición y evaluación hasta el desarrollo emocional y social de los superdotados. Silverman enfatiza un enfoque holístico, reconociendo no solo las capacidades intelectuales, sino también las habilidades emocionales, sensoriales y creativas. El libro destaca la importancia de una identificación temprana y una educación adaptada, y aborda temas como la doble excepcionalidad, las diferencias culturales y de género, y el impacto de la superdotación en la vida adulta. Además, proporciona estrategias prácticas para manejar la sensibilidad emocional, mejorar las habilidades sociales y fomentar la autoaceptación. Aunque es exhaustivo en su alcance, "Giftedness 101" podría beneficiarse de una mayor profundización en las aplicaciones prácticas para el entorno laboral y en la vida adulta. En conjunto, es un recurso esencial para comprender y apoyar a los superdotados a lo largo de sus vidas.

[Lia (areaderswords) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very straight to the point, informative. Good starting book on giftedness.

[Lindsay Smith-Munoz]

Useful, but the book mentioned self-actualization a number of time and then spent very little time describing it or how to reach it.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informational.

[Squid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tons of great information,
Super depressing.
Probably the saddest book I've ever read.

[Kelci Judas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a required reading for one of my Talented and Gifted endorsement program. I feel like I really learned a lot from this book and am happy that I actually read it!

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written. Silverman makes an excellent presentation on why studying the gifted population matters, on how their inner world works, on how and why to test, etc. Even though I have read quite a bit on giftedness lately, I found new/better presented information in here. A book that all gifted teachers/psychologists ought read.

[Heather Shoemaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read if your child is gifted

Very well written and easy to read. The many references to resources was extremely helpful. I enjoyed reading this book and I look forward to the many joys and challenges of raising gifted children.

[Sudha Neelakantan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative overview

You should read this if you think you have a gifted child. Wish I'd read this years ago. Culturally, both in my adopted country and country of birth giftedness is seen as a sign of elitism,pushing yourself forwArd.moving past the labels is important

[Karla Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! This should be required reading in EVERY teacher education and psychology program.
Excellent overview of giftedness and all that it encompasses.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough overview of the underserved, complicated world of the gifted population.

[bookme4life · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS

Easily the best book I've read on the topic so far. It's also more current than most of the material out there, more affordable, and available as an eBook.