![]() ![]() Professionals often assess both giftedness and ADHD through a series of behavior checklists from parents, teachers, and their own observations. While many experts agree that these children do exist, there is currently no formal criteria to identify giftedness in children who are ADHD or to identify ADHD in children who are gifted. How Do You Know When a Child is ADHD and Gifted?īecause of the similarities outlined above, 2e children who are both gifted and have ADHD can be especially difficult to detect. Highly energetic-needs little sleep or down timeĪlways “on the go,” as if driven by a motorīlurts out an answer before a question has been finished Has problems staying focused on tasks or activities Shared Characteristics of ADHD and Giftedness Gifted Behaviors *Taken from NAGC & the Davidson InstituteĪDHD Behaviors *Taken from ĭifficulty concentrating on tasks that are not intellectually challenging Both have considerable overlap when it comes to their core characteristics as James Webb and Diane Latimer have noted in their research, and which the following table demonstrates. Both have implications for social-emotional development as well as a student’s academic performance. Both require a specialized approach to a student’s education and development, particularly in the areas of executive functioning. Thus, both rely on trained professionals who can consider the full profile of the student in order to make a diagnosis. Since neither condition is fully understood, they both lack a definitive test, genetic or otherwise, to identify these students. The two are both thought to be linked to genetics but lack a precise explanation. Gifted behavior checklists are also frequently included in gifted identification. Diagnosing giftedness often involves above-level testing, IQ tests, or standardized achievement tests. Giftedness is also considered a brain-based difference that is commonly characterized by high intelligence, creativity, and/or achievement. ![]() An assessment is often recommended by a teacher and diagnosed by a professional when children consistently demonstrate six of the nine traits for the inattentive-type, six of the nine traits for the hyperactive-type, or a strong combination of many of the two. How Are Giftedness and ADHD Similar?Īttention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is considered a brain-based disorder characterized by hyperactivity, inattention, and/or impulsivity. The presence of twice exceptional (2e) children, who are both gifted and have a developmental or learning disability, is well known, but the similarity of characteristics for giftedness and ADHD makes it particularly difficult to tell these two apart. There has been considerable concern from parents, educators, and childhood developmental experts over how to differentiate between giftedness and ADHD, as well as how to tell when a child may be both. ![]() It can be difficult to correctly address a common situation like this even for experienced teachers. The child may be both gifted and have ADHD, which presents as an inconsistent (or even average) performance across school subjects. The child may have ADHD, which makes it hard to control their impulses or focus for long periods of time unless it is their area of interest. Is this child gifted, ADHD, or both? This child may be gifted but not receiving curriculum that matches their intellectual level, which can result in rushing through repetitive work and disengaging altogether from a class they find unstimulating. However, the two may share more similarities than differences, especially in terms of what parents and educators can do to help these children thrive.Ĭonsider a child in an average public-school classroom who blurts out the answer to a question before they are called on, who does well on math concepts but makes many simple mistakes on tests, and who appears inattentive for large portions of the class. There are valid concerns on both sides regarding misdiagnosis, overlooked diagnosis, social stigma, and a lack of opportunities for these children. Both gifted identification and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosis have been hot button issues that have circulated within the education community for several decades. ![]()
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