Monday, September 29, 2014

Fearless advocacy: A day in the life of a gifted child's parent

Gifted advocacy

What do you think about when you hear those words?
  • Meetings with school administrators?
  • Lobbying to get your gifted child identified?
  • Insisting on ability grouping, enrichment or acceleration?

But battling with the schools is not the only place for advocacy; parents find themselves championing the needs of their gifted child wherever they go. Dismissive comments about gifted children are overheard as often at family reunions and the sidelines of soccer games as they are during parent-teacher conferences At first timid and uncertain, parents quickly learn that if they don't educate others about gifted children's differences, their own child will suffer.

Most parents never expected to become spokespersons for gifted children. Yet by default, they become experts, educators and ambassadors, endlessly explaining facts about giftedness to those who don't understand. They confront misinformation, always careful to avoid the appearance of boasting, and seamlessly reframe their child's offbeat behavior in light of gifted intellectual and social/emotional complexities. Every day can seem like a new challenge.

Here is a partial list of advocacy efforts that regularly occur in the life of a gifted child's parent:

(How many of these fit for you?)

1. Asking teachers for more complex, challenging, meaningful schoolwork (not extra homework or busy work)

2. Overcoming reluctance to tell friends and family that, yes, your child is gifted, has unique needs, and deserves accommodations in school

3. Explaining contradictory behaviors to others (why your child's immature or childlike behaviors do not negate her giftedness)

4. Meeting with school administrators to explain your child's needs and how they are not being met in the classroom or gifted pull-out program

5. Having to "apologize" for your child's "rude"  (blunt, uncensored) comments to teachers and other children ("So sorry he said the classwork was boring - I know he needs to learn tact. I guess he just wants something a little more challenging.")

6. Commenting in online forums, blogs or articles to remind others that no, not every child is gifted!

7. Explaining the difference between gifted traits and behaviors that warrant a diagnosis (high energy, intense curiosity vs. ADHD; detailed, hyper focus on an area of interest vs. OCD)

8. Helping relatives, neighbors and other parents understand that your child's moods, quirks and intensities are associated with her giftedness (and are not behaviors she just does to be annoying)

9. Speaking up regularly at school board meetings to request (demand) more appropriate and necessary gifted services

10. Meeting with other parents of gifted children to form parent advocacy efforts (groups, lobbying efforts with the schools, collaborative meetings with gifted supervisors)

11. Letting your young child's friends know that when he wants to play by himself, it's not because he doesn't like them; it's just because he really wants to play by himself

12. Researching alternative educational options and presenting them to the teacher (online courses, subject acceleration, special projects, mentorships)

13. Learning about state-wide and nation-wide advocacy efforts and getting involved

14. Educating people you never thought you would have to inform about the complexities of giftedness: your child's teachers, pediatrician, coaches, spiritual leaders, trusted friends and family

15. Defending any accommodations offered to your child at school when others question the need for them (explaining that additional challenging work or acceleration is not a privilege or honor, but a necessity)

16. Advocating for yourself: asking for support and advice from those who understand, and letting those who don't understand know how hard it is for you

You never planned for this. No one prepared you. Yet, you are the chief advocate, enthusiast, spokesperson, defender, and champion of services for your child. It just comes with the territory. Once you overcome your hesitation and fears about advocacy, you can move on to what is necessary.

You can make change happen.

Let us know what a day in the life of advocacy is for you in the comments
section below.

This blog is part of the Hoagies Gifted Education Page Blog Hop on Gifted Advocacy. To read more blogs, visit the Blog Hop at:  http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/blog_hop_gifted_advocacy.htm




9 comments:

  1. "You never planned for this. No one prepared you."

    Nope. And that's a big reason I work with gifted support and advocacy. To help prepare parents and reach out with resources. Thanks for being a resource!
    ReplyDelete

    Replies




    1. Thanks so much. I know that for myself, even with training as a psychologist, it was an eye-opening experience learning the amount of gifted advocacy these children need. So glad you're also out there helping parents learn how to advocate!
      Gail
      Delete
  2. Gail. Your writing is always so clear and concise. This is a great list and a different way to look at the topic of advocacy. Very helpful for parents, I'm sure.
    ReplyDelete

    Replies




    1. Thanks, Paula.So much advocacy to do in so many ways! Really appreciate your feedback.
      Gail
      Delete
  3. I teared up when I read this. This is my life now and future.......

    Gifted education in Australia is yet to gain majority support in schools, the journey of advocacy is very lonely
    ReplyDelete

    Replies




    1. Gifted education is not supported very well in the U.S. either. Sorry you're feeling so alone. Maybe you can seek out others in the same situation, at home and online, who can share your struggle with you. Good luck.
      Gail
      Delete
  4. Cherry's right. Gifted education in Australia has very few resources or proponents in comparison to the US. It's really pretty dire. We gave up on educational advocacy and now homeschool. We were getting nowhere whatsoever, and our son was suffering.
    ReplyDelete

    Replies




    1. I wonder what can be done in Australia to get things going? Just curious, given how bad you indicated the situation is. Such a shame that it sounds so bad.
      Gail
      Delete
  5. This is the first time i am reading your post and admire that you posted article which gives users lot of information regarding particular topic thanks for this share.
    Only Children

10 comments:

  1. "You never planned for this. No one prepared you."

    Nope. And that's a big reason I work with gifted support and advocacy. To help prepare parents and reach out with resources. Thanks for being a resource!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much. I know that for myself, even with training as a psychologist, it was an eye-opening experience learning the amount of gifted advocacy these children need. So glad you're also out there helping parents learn how to advocate!
      Gail

      Delete
  2. Gail. Your writing is always so clear and concise. This is a great list and a different way to look at the topic of advocacy. Very helpful for parents, I'm sure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Paula.So much advocacy to do in so many ways! Really appreciate your feedback.
      Gail

      Delete
  3. I teared up when I read this. This is my life now and future.......

    Gifted education in Australia is yet to gain majority support in schools, the journey of advocacy is very lonely

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gifted education is not supported very well in the U.S. either. Sorry you're feeling so alone. Maybe you can seek out others in the same situation, at home and online, who can share your struggle with you. Good luck.
      Gail

      Delete
  4. Cherry's right. Gifted education in Australia has very few resources or proponents in comparison to the US. It's really pretty dire. We gave up on educational advocacy and now homeschool. We were getting nowhere whatsoever, and our son was suffering.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wonder what can be done in Australia to get things going? Just curious, given how bad you indicated the situation is. Such a shame that it sounds so bad.
      Gail

      Delete
    2. What state are you in in Oz? NSW have policies in place for gifted students and an excellent unit within the Ed department at the uni.

      Delete
  5. This is the first time i am reading your post and admire that you posted article which gives users lot of information regarding particular topic thanks for this share.
    Only Children

    ReplyDelete