By documenting the lives of 20 gifted children, the author illustrates many of the problems they face. These include perfectionism, challenging behaviour, underachievement and bullying. It highlights the fallacy that gifted children do not have problems and do not need help. If unsupported, many will grow up without fulfilling their potential.
Gifted Lives acknowledges that there are many types of intelligence, including artistic, mathematical, and interpersonal abilities. This may help any parent, teacher, child or youth worker as they encounter high learning potential. Nonetheless, all of the case studies featured in the book are of children with exceptionally high IQs. The reader should question whether giftedness can be judged solely by this assessment.
The book shows that a high IQ does not automatically lead to a successful life. In fact, the National Association for Gifted Children believes that children also need self-discipline, motivation, empathy and social responsibility.
This book will prompt the reader to consider whether success should be defined in terms of achievement as recorded in the book, or whether it is a simpler concept of personal fulfilment and happiness.
Laura Mckoy, researcher for the Releasing Potential report by the National Association for Gifted Children
Buy Gifted Lives: What Happens When Gifted Children Grow Up now
