Different Minds: Gifted Children with AD/HD, Asperger Syndrome, and Other Learning Deficits

by Deirdre V. Lovecky

Recognizing the different levels and kinds of giftedness, this book provides an insight into the challenges and benefits specific to gifted children with attention difficulties. Explaining why certain children are gifted and how giftedness is manifested, each chapter on a specific topic addresses the relevance for children with AD/HD, autism and Asperger Syndrome. Lovecky guides parents and professionals through methods of diagnosis and advises on how best to nurture individual needs, positive behavior and relationships at home and at school.

Genres: Nonfiction, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Adhd, Parenting, Psychology, Education, Teaching

528 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2003

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a GREAT resource for teachers, counselor, parents. Please don’t let the “gifted” titled fool you since this is a book for everyone with these disorders – specifically Asperger’s and AD/HD. I thought I knew a lot about these issues, but this book completely opened up my mind. One of best aspects of this book is that the author not only focuses on areas of weaknesses (while offering SPECIFIC strategies to overcome them), but she also focuses on the many strengths that people with these problems possess. We tend to focus on their deficits or weaknesses, which can overshadow the person’s strengths. Lovecky shows how you can use the person’s areas of strengths and to enhance weaknesses. I also really appreciate the bulleted list of strategies broken down for specific issues. For example, you can look up how to manage emotional outbursts or friendship issues for kids with AD/HD vs. kids with Asperger’s and learn how to help these children.
While the author does talk about gifted kids, you will learn so much about AD/HD and Asperger’s Syndrome in general from reading this book. I highly, highly recommend it!

[Jenn Raley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The comprehensive nature of this book makes it the "go-to" text on this topic. It is a pity that it is nearly two decades old. The field could use an updated book that incorporates the latest learnings about neuroscience, not to mention the latest versions of terminology and diagnostic tools.

Still, I am very grateful to have had the chance to read this book!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book and I think it would be of benefit to both teachers and writers and of course parents. Chapter 4, entitled 'Cognitive Issues: How Those with a Different Mind Think' was most illuminating. Deirdre V. Lovecky argues that 'young gifted children ask many interesting questions.' She states that many of the questions are about the big issues of life and death. She mentions a child who 'after being read the Eugene Field poem about the gingham dog and calico cat who fought and ate each other up, protested that this was a logical impossibility.' One child asked 'where did clock come from?' One child asked his father, 'Daddy. why don't I see double because I have two eyes, and I can see you with each one by itself?' Chapter 5, 'Finding Flow, The Wellspring of Creative Endeavour' raise some interesting and thought provoking concerns. She discusses the influence of the media on creativity and asks, 'Having seen the movie, how many children now have a original idea about what Harry Potter looks like?' I found Chapter 8, 'Moral Development: Moral Reasoning and Compassion' fascinating. It opens with the line. 'At age six, Emily knew that Santa Claus was unfair. She had notes that there were good children in her class who never seem to have anything. These children received little from Santa.'

[Tiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book, I bought five copies after my first two copies never returned from loans. I now have two of those five left. This book is research based, yet easy to read and interpret. It gives invaluable information about how AD/HD and other learning differences impact learning as well as how multiple learning differences impact recommended accommodations. For example, accommodations for a student with AD/HD are not necessarily appropriate for a student who is both gifted and AD/HD. The organization is very user-friendly, with, for example, information about non-AD/HD learners compared to AD/HD learners, to gifted learners, and finally to gifted + AD/HD learners. Each section is followed by lists of recommended accommodations.

This is one of the best books I've read for helping parents and teachers understand --really understand -- what is going on with their child/student.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a rich, insightful book. It is information dense, which is probably either a pro or a con depending on your style, but it worked well for me. The author assumes that you want information and that you can handle the content--a much appreciated change of tune from so many books that seem to be a little too basic.

I read this with the intention of gaining insight on my children, and was surprised to also found my childhood self in this book. It unlocked my understanding of areas of my life that have both been frustrating and difficult and also the areas that have come (too?) easily. At risk of sounding overly enthusiastic, it changed my life. It changed my steps moving forward and shifted my view of who I am in a healthy way.

It was also helpful in thinking about my kids, and is a book that I intend to keep on the shelf to revisit as they grow/develop.

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased three copies of this book. One was for myself, one was for my mom and one was for the Gifted Center at the local university. This work offers valuable insights into the little understood and often confusing twice-exceptional world. Lovecky untangles the intertwined and nebulous strands of giftedness and Adhd, AS etc. without totally losing the unique and individual manifestations that occur.

[Ramin123]

read

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely accessible reading for parents and educators – includes separate chapters on the developmental aspects of each learning difference, and includes chapters on what gifted children are like, what constitutes the diagnosis of AD/HD, the diagnosis of AS, and how to assess children.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty fascinating read - however, it's pretty narrow interest. If you have a kid who is "twice exceptional" (in this case, both gifted and AD/HD or Aspergers), you need to check this book out. So useful for school and helping parents have the tools we need.

[Jill]

This is the best book you can possibly read that explains gifted kids with either ADD or Asperger's. The giftedness really changes how these kids appear in typical Asperger or ADD profiles, so if you have a "twice exceptional" child like I do, this is the ONLY book that makes sense.

[Grant Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent resource on the gifted and twice exceptional.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally helpful book. I've highlighted my copy (which I found for FREE at our public library) and intend to loan it along with some others to my son's teachers!

[Prakash]

good

[Lara White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally found a book that explains my Zach perfectly. It has been very helpful in understanding him better.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit academic but the segment on the differences between ADHD and Aspergers was very interesting.

[Emm Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent resource...great book.

[Camille · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting.