Counseling the Gifted General Needs Special Populations By Kristi Whitesell

Defining the Gifted uHigh General Intellectual Ability uAcademic Talent uCreative & Productive Thinking Skills uLeadership uVisual & Performing Arts uExceptional Psychomotor Skills Public Law

“Giftedness is a greater awareness, a greater sensitivity, and a greater ability to understand and transform perceptions into intellectual and emotional experiences” Dr. Annemarie Roeper (1982)

Dabrowski Forms of Overexcitability u Psychomotor u Sensual u Intellectual u Imaginational u Emotional

Psychomotor n Surplus of energy n Rapid speech/gestures n Nervous habits n Pressure for action n Competitive games and sports n Workaholism

Sensual u Sensory pleasures u Desire for comfort u Aesthetic pleasures u Overeating u Buying sprees u Pleasure at being admired

Intellectual u Probing questions u Problem solvers u Theoretical thinking u Passion areas u Avid reader u Metacognition

Imaginational u Invention/Fantasy u Vivid imagery u Use of metaphor & images u Vivid recall of dreams u Mixing truth and fiction u Fears of the unknown u Tendency to dramatize

Emotional u Intense feelings u Strong attachment to others u Somatic expressions (eg. blushing) u Timidity/shyness u Concern with death u Loneliness u Self-judgment, feelings of inferiority

Why Counsel the Gifted? u Characteristics can be manifested in both POSITIVE and NEGATIVE ways. u Prevention u Academic guidance u Special populations

Characteristics u Positive and Negative Manifestations u Counseling Issues

Divergent Thinker Positive n Innovative n Self-starter n Creative Negative n Curious questions n Digressions n Dislike of group work n Rebellious n Morbid imagination n Non-conformist

Counseling Issues Divergent Thinker n Be honest about complexity of issues n Emphasize desire to understand n Help child build stronger sense of self n Help child learn to listen in a focused manner n Encourage a positive relationship

Excitability Positive n High energy level n Emotional intensity n Long periods of concentration n Variety of interests n Enjoys challenges Negative n Hyperactive n Easily bored n Less need for sleep n Difficulty com- pleting projects n Anxiety/phobias

Counseling Issues Excitability n Self regulation and self control n Maintaining comfortable level of arousal n Finding satisfaction with creative endeavors and intellectual pursuits

Counseling Strategies Excitability n Use time to structure activities n Rewards in accomplishment/satisfaction n Relaxation strategies/sef talk/humor n Judge quality & completeness of tasks n Manage environment n Recognize cues for impending loss of control/ ways to alleviate feelings

Sensitivity Positive n Intense commitment to people and ideas n Compassionate n Empathic n Involved in local/global causes Negative n Personal pain & frustration n Take on too much responsibility n Feel responsible for everything/guilt

Counseling Issues Sensitivity u Child needs to know: n s/he is not responsible for everything n why s/he gives in each instance n when it is not acceptable to give n how to receive as a gift to others n set boundaries for feelings n how to distance self physically/mentally

Perceptiveness Positive n Grasps patterns n Finds hidden meanings n Seek & tell truth Negative n Take negative comments to heart n Honest with little regard to feelings n Negative behavior towards others

Counseling Issues Perceptiveness n Learning when/how to trust own perceptiveness n How to be trusting, but not naive n Learn about differences of opinions n Learn to regard other’s feelings n Try “people watching” & role playing

Preventive Counseling u Needs and Benefits u Goals of Developmental Counseling u Interventions

Needs and Benefits n Proper academic planning n Prevent development of behavioral disorders n Prevent underachievement n Prevent social/academic conflict n Affective needs of special populations n Career planning n Family impact

Goals of Counseling for Gifted n Understanding of their strengths and weaknesses n Self-acceptance and recognition of their limitations n Commitment to nurturing their abilities n Development of internal locus of control n Acceptance of mistakes as learning experiences n Conflict resolution skills (Silverman, 1993)

Goals of Counseling (cont.) n Problem-solving skills n Awareness, understanding, and acceptance of others n Communication skills n Ability to be assertive rather than aggressive n Interpersonal skills n Leadership and decision-making skills n Knowledge of stress reduction techniques n Ability to view themselves and events with humor (Silverman, 1993)

Interventions n Grouping with peers n Restructuring systems n Networking n Group counseling/ discussions n Bibliotherapy n Moral exemplars n Mentors n Internships n Peer counseling n Family counseling n Individual counseling n Support groups

Academic Counseling u Academic Planning u Individual Educational Plan u Educational Alternatives u Career Planning

Academic Planning n Type and time of coursework n Mentorships n Internships n Test-taking skills n Decision-making skills n Study skills

Individual Educational Plan n Annual goals and objectives n Benchmarks of progress n Relevant assessment data n Procedures and processes n Recommendations from staffing conferences

Educational Alternatives n Special courses within school setting n AP courses n Grade skipping n College coursework n Talent search n Competitions n Gifted programs outside school setting

Career Planning n Selecting an area of interest n Selecting a school/college that is best suited for individual and his/her interest n Selecting coursework for admission n Mentors/Internships

Special Populations u Culturally Diverse u Gifted Handicapped u Gifted Girls u Gifted Learning Disabled u At-Risk Gifted

Culturally Diverse Counselors can n Help students search for and establish positive identity with own culture n Encourage questioning, introspective attitude toward self n Encourage full development of potential despite peer pressures n Discuss opportunities available during critical decision making. (Colangelo & Zaffran, 1979)

Gifted Handicapped Counselors can n Help students understand their own attitudes/expectations towards handicapps and abilities n Involve family in information and program planning sessions n Work with all involved to provide a favorable school environment for growth of these students (Colangelo & Zaffrann, 1979)

Gifted Girls Counselors can n Provide female role models n Encourage non-sexist activities in class and at home n Academic and career planning n Encourage independence and leadership n Counsel girls concerning conformity and individuality

Gifted Learning Disabled Counselors can n Counsel the GLD and the family about special needs n Be an advocate for the “giftedness” of the child n Provide group counseling to allow children with similar needs to converse n Address self-perception and self-esteem n Provide positive role models

At-Risk Gifted Includes: n Disadvantaged n Culturally Diverse n GLD and Handicapped n Girls n Underachievers n ADHD n Perfectionists

General Strategies H Group and individual counseling H Goal setting H Peer and social relationships H Academic planning/Career planning H Mentoring/Internships H Bibliotherapy H Alternative education