ADHD Characteristics: Gifted Children, ADHD and Special Education

ADHD Characteristics: Gifted Children, ADHD and Special Education
Chesapeake Bay Academy's Community of Professionals
Industry news and information about professional events. Collaborate, network, learn about new opportunities, and share your knowledge and expertise with other professionals focused on serving the special education community in Hampton Roads. Thank you for being part of our professional community, we hope you enjoy this month's article.
ADHD Characteristics: Gifted Children, ADHD and Special Education

Head of School
Chesapeake Bay Academy
“Good Morning, Mrs. Jankowski.”
“Good Morning, Mrs. Briggs. Nice to see you. So, how is Jackie doing?”
“Well…academically, she’s doing fine. No problems. But, there is something that I am concerned about.”
“Really, what is it?”
“Well, I think that Jackie may have ADHD, I’ve asked the counselor to evaluate her.”
“I’m sorry but I don’t understand. What is it that leads you to believe that she has problems paying attention? I don’t see any of that at home.”
“Well, she has a lot of trouble staying in her seat and she is very talkative. I’ve seated Jackie next to my student teacher and she wants to talk with the student teacher all the time. I know that she tries to cooperate. The other day I found Jackie with her reading book opened on her desk to the correct page, but underneath her desk she was reading another book (an American Girl chapter book). She really needs help paying attention. I think you should consider medication.”
This was my introduction to the intersecting worlds of ADHD and giftedness, although I was not aware of it at the time. It was my first parent teacher conference for my first (and only) child. I have no frame of reference. I was an experienced educator, special educator even, but the growth of the diagnosis “de jour”, ADHD, had been growing rapidly in the interim between the time l left teaching to go into the “mom” business and the time my daughter found her way to first grade.
Click here for full article.
Upcoming Events
Thank You Titanium Sponsors!
Horizons Hampton Roads
Suzette & Alan Rashkind