Characteristics of Gifted Students and Gifted Students with Learning Difficulties
General Characteristics of Intellectually Gifted Students* | Characteristics of Gifted Students with Learning Difficulties |
Accelerated pace of learning; retain information with less repetition | May struggle with basic skills and reading due to processing deficits; may need compensatory strategies to ease learning |
High verbal ability | High verbal ability but problems with written language; may use language inappropriately |
Keen powers of observation | Strong observational skills; however, may have deficits in memory skills |
Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills | Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills; excel in solving “real world” problems |
Long attention spans, persistent, and intense ability to concentrate | Frequently have problems with concentration but in areas of interest are able to focus for long periods of time |
Innovative; creative in generating thoughts, ideas, and actions | Unusual imagination; extremely divergent in thinking; generate original but sometimes “bizarre” ideas |
Take risks | Often unwilling to take academic risks; take risks in non-school-related areas sometimes without considering consequences |
May mature at different rates than same-age peers | Sometimes appear immature due to use of anger, withdrawal, and/or crying in dealing with difficulties |
Independent | Require teacher support and feedback in deficit areas; can be more independent in interest areas; may appear stubborn and inflexible |
Sensitive | Sensitive toward own deficits; can be critical of self and others; may engage in antisocial behaviors, though generally sensitive to the feelings of others |
May have problems with friendships; may be isolated due to lack of intellectual peers or students with similar interests | May have problems with friends due to poor social skills; may appear to be loners since they do not represent a typical model of giftedness |
Exhibit leadership abilities | May emerge as a leader among less traditional students; demonstrate “street smarts”; deficits may impact leadership abilities |
Wide range of interests | Wide interests but deficits may hinder ability to follow them |
Passion for particular topics | Passion for particular topics to the exclusion of others; interests often not school related |
*Nielsen, E.M., et al. Characteristics of Intellectually Gifted Students and Gifted Students with Learning Difficulties. In an unpublished manuscript. Albuquerque Public Schools, 2000.