A pervasive myth in our society is that smart kids can fend for themselves. However, this is not the case. Like all children, gifted children need to be nurtured to become happy, successful adults. As many parents know, nurturing gifted children -- including advocating for their educational needs -- is an ongoing, time-consuming, yet crucial process.

Research shows that parents play a more important role in a child's development than schools. A supportive, advocating parent can often make the difference in creating a meaningful education.

Unchallenged bright students are at risk for frustration, depression, underachievement, and often give up on school and their love of learning.

At the Davidson Institute for Talent Development, a national non-profit organization dedicated to supporting gifted students, their parents and teachers. Parents often approach us with questions similar to the ones addressed in the following sections.

How do I know if my child is gifted?
Gifted students share common characteristics:

• An extreme need for constant mental stimulation.
• An ability to learn and process complex information rapidly.
• A need to explore subjects in depth.
• An insatiable curiosity; endless questions and inquiries.
• A need for precision in thinking and expression (often answering questions with "that depends…").
• An ability to focus intently on a subject of interest for long periods of time.
• An inability to concentrate on a task that is not intellectually challenging, including repetitious ideas or material presented in small pieces.

If you feel your child is gifted, a comprehensive assessment may be the first step toward helping you nurture your child. Make inquiries regarding testing availability through your local school district, or contact a licensed psychologist. See " A Place to Start: Is My Child Gifted?"

When a child has an I.Q. in the 120-130 range, he/she is often identified by the school districts as "gifted." This means the child requires a modified educational program to address the faster, more complex way he/she learns. Because there are different levels of giftedness spanning a wide range of abilities, profoundly intelligent students, those at the extreme end of the continuum, will need an educational program that is modified even further.

What do I do if my child is gifted?
Parenting a gifted child can seem overwhelming. Once you know that your child is gifted there are several steps you can take.

• First, your child's assessment should give you some recommendations for home and school.
• Then, learn all you can about giftedness and the issues gifted children face. Access the Genius Denied library of over 400 articles.
  
• For specific resources for your child, check out www.GT-Cybersource.org, the largest database of information for and about gifted children.
• Join a support group for parents of gifted children. A list of state gifted associations is available here.
• Recognize your child's abilities and talents. You are your child's best advocate, so it is important to be well informed.
• Understand your state's guidelines for gifted education. Begin with the Genius Denied state policy database.
• Locate available resources through his/her school, community and beyond.
• Meet with your child's teacher. Refine your advocacy skills and be prepared to work with the educators on practical options based on your child’s abilities.

Some of these steps will not be easy to implement, and all require your time and commitment. Remember that your hard work will pay off for your child.

Are there special schools or programs for gifted students?
Parents should be knowledgeable about the resources available through the school, county, and state. Approach the school with a positive attitude and a desire to work as a team. Options you may want to consider as educational alternatives are outlined in "Re-Forming Gifted Education," by Karen Rogers:

• Self-contained gifted classes
• Subject acceleration
• Distance learning
• Grade-skipping
• Dual enrollment
• Early college