Main Issues in Counselling Gifted Children and Youths

Counselling gifted children and their families is of extreme importance for the future of science, technology, the financial situation of individuals, families, communities, countries and continents, and the ability to fight against hunger, poverty, lack of good-enough water and air-pollution, as well as improve the situation of those in need. It is of no less importance for the well-being of the young generation of scientists, artists, politicians, and as we have recently very well understood – health care professionals of all levels and in charge of all tasks responsible for our future and the future of the next generations. Good, supportive counselling those who help all these aims means navigating the gifted in the path that will make them materialize their gifts. In order to make this happen it has to be kept in mind that there is no "prescription" that can be followed, neither "a set of recommendations". Each gifted child or adolescent is unique; every one of them is entitled to her or his "haute couture'' dress or suit perfectly suited for them. However, here are some of the main issues most frequently discussed by parents, teachers, counsellors and psychologists of gifted children:
 The social situation of the gifted child/adolescent
 Is there a "right time" for teaching a young child reading and writing? Mathematics? Science?
 Class-skipping and the gifted child
 Pros and cons of revealing the child's giftedness to the kindergarten- or schoolteacher
 Dealing with the boredom of the gifted child in the school system
 Is there a "most appropriate" class or school for the gifted student?
 Afternoon activities for the gifted child: How many are "too many"?
 Sibling-relationships in the gifted family
 Parental authority and the gifted child
 Planning the future education of the gifted adolescent.
These are just a few of the issues I have been asked about for over three decades – mainly by parents and the team-members of the 55+ enrichment programs operating in Israel for gifted children. In this presentation I am to discuss – though in a nutshell – all of them.