How do I know if my autistic child is gifted?
According to the National Association for Gifted Children, there are specific traits and characteristics that a child must exhibit in order to considered gifted. These include unusual alertness, rapid learning, intense feelings and reactions and deep or insightful thinking.
Is gifted part of the autism spectrum?
Both giftedness and autism fall on a spectrum, so while there may be individuals who clearly fit into one box or another, some behaviors might be more ambiguous and require additional information, context, or professional opinions.
Which is it Aspergers Syndrome or giftedness defining the differences?
The difference is that the gifted child may be more selective and able to filter out and discard certain sources of information whereas the child with Asperger’s will not (Cash). The child with Asperger’s will simply memorize everything there is to know about a cer- tain and sometimes bizarre topic.
What are splinter skills in autism?
Savant gifts, or splinter skills, may be exhibited in the following skill areas or domains: memory, hyperlexia (ie, the exceptional ability to read, spell and write), art, music, mechanical or spatial skill, calendar calculation, mathematical calculation, sensory sensitivity, athletic performance, and computer ability.
Can you have autism and be gifted?
Quick Read. Some children are highly gifted in areas such as math, writing or music. Others have learning challenges like ADHD, dyslexia or dyscalculia, autism or sensory processing issues. But there are also kids who fit into both categories.
Can you be gifted and have Aspergers?
The Disorder There is no doubt that a gifted child can have Asperger’s Disorder and that this combination has a profound impact on both social interactions and schooling (Amend & Schuler, 2004; Cash, 1999; Neihart, 2000).
Do gifted children have aspergers?
How do you test a gifted child?
The two primary types of tests for gifted children are IQ tests and achievement tests. 3 Both types of tests have pros and cons. Speak with school officials to get a better sense of the test that’s most suitable for your child.
What is hyperlexia autism?
Hyperlexia is when a child starts reading early and surprisingly beyond their expected ability. It’s often accompanied by an obsessive interest in letters and numbers, which develops as an infant. Hyperlexia is often, but not always, part of the autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
How does autism affect cognitive skills?
Children with autism have many of the cognitive difficulties seen in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a new study suggests1. In particular, these children struggle with executive function — a set of mental skills that underlie planning, self-control, short-term memory and decision-making.
What is high functioning autism?
“High-functioning autism” isn’t an official medical term or diagnosis. It’s an informal one some people use when they talk about people with an autism spectrum disorder who can speak, read, write, and handle basic life skills like eating and getting dressed. They can live independently.
What do gifted and autistic children have in common?
Both gifted children and autistic children also tend to have poor social skills. In both cases, I believe that this is largely a result of an unforgiving social environment in which social relationships provide little benefit to the child. Interestingly, the neurobiology of gifted and autistic children share many similarities.
What is the rate of intellectual giftedness in autism?
and giftedness. [5] Consequently, some came to call autism a “disorder of high intelligence”. Estimated rates of intellectual giftedness in autistic children are 0.7–2%, compared to up to 1% in the general public. Intellectually gifted people who have some other diagnosable condition—such as autism—are called twice-exceptional.
Are gifted students more prone to be misdiagnosed with autism?
Many profoundly gifted students are likely misdiagnosed with autism, whilst many autistic children are likely undiagnosed as gifted. Given the incredibly complex, and similar, nature of both giftedness and autism, the diagnosis itself is rather unimportant.
What are the signs of giftedness in children?
Gifted children, like autistic children, tend to have very focused interest. They may spend hours, days, months, or even years, engrossed in a particular interest with what appears to be an obsession.