one gifted and one average. - Page 4

[Juvysen]

Agreed. I'm at the wait-and-watch point with him... just chiming in here because I'm unsure in either direction. DH and I both are gifted, so I won't be surprised if he is, too. I started reading early and Dh started late We'll see what happens.

Interesting discussion, though

[Miss Information]

Originally Posted by puddle

Discussions about this research always fascinate me, because my family is an outlier. I am the middle child in a family with 3 girls, and I am the only one ever identified as or likely to be academically gifted, although we all have the same parents and grew up in the same home. Both parents and both siblings are probably brighter than average, but my IQ is not within a few points of any of theirs, and none of them appear to have any learning disabilities.

Just had to throw my story out there as a reminder that, while there is a strong correlation between a gifted diagnosis in one sibling and the likelihood that others will also be gifted, it is also possible for sibling IQs to vary significantly. It is possible that the OPs daughter is gifted and presenting differently, but it is also possible that she is average.

Good point.

And well, really, there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with being average. I think that we have to remember that too.

Average people can grow up to do some pretty great things too. And there's no promise that being a gifted child automatically results in a better/more prosperous adulthood.

My 'average' sister, as an elementary school teacher is commanding a HIGHER salary as a teacher in one of the highest paid districts than I EVER was working in biotechnology. She was making $20,000 more than me at my peak. It's just luck that she got in a school district that knew how to negotiate contracts.

[Juvysen]

My "giftedness" got me, uh, a job as a SAHM Even when I was working, I was making bupkiss (like just over minimum)... I have a master's degree and would be shocked if I could make over $20k.

[Marissamom]

that's a great point. DF is extremely gifted, but it held him back in school because of all the personal problems it created. he took 5 years for high school and didn't graduate. Finally, at 22 he did high-school completion and is now attending Community college. And this is a kid who was being scouted by Ivy-league schools in 7th grade.

[Miss Information]

Originally Posted by Juvysen

My "giftedness" got me, uh, a job as a SAHM Even when I was working, I was making bupkiss (like just over minimum)... I have a master's degree and would be shocked if I could make over $20k.

Uh, yeah, I'm quite a highly "qualified" stay at home mom now too. But I put my abilities to research to some great use! I may not be bringing home a salary, but I surely saved us a bunch of money in therapy for my daughter by doing many things myself.

[RiverTam]

I suppose I spoke a little rashly and harshly. I'm skeptical of certain broad claims of certain studies, because I find many times they don't fit my family. I think I have a major distaste for pigeonholing and when someone cites a study that "proves" their point like birth order, it leaves no room for anomalies (and birth order is one of those areas I find more exceptions to the rule).

You should be skeptical. Studies are based on samples of groups and can tell you on average how a group does. They don't tell you much about an individual.

You (or your family) are a single data point. A single data point doesn't contradict the results of a study because it could be anywhere in the range of values for the whole study. It's unlikely to be on the average, and could be below or above it for any single measurement. A statistical study can't tell you anything about where a single data point is going to be. It could be anywhere in the bell curve, which means it could be an outlier.

The study can be 100% correct, and still not tell you much about you or your family.

[joensally]

Originally Posted by RiverTam

You should be skeptical. Studies are based on samples of groups and can tell you on average how a group does. They don't tell you much about an individual.

You (or your family) are a single data point. A single data point doesn't contradict the results of a study because it could be anywhere in the range of values for the whole study. It's unlikely to be on the average, and could be below or above it for any single measurement. A statistical study can't tell you anything about where a single data point is going to be. It could be anywhere in the bell curve, which means it could be an outlier.

The study can be 100% correct, and still not tell you much about you or your family.

Well said.

I also agree with PPs that the OPs kids may both be gifted, both NT, or one of each. 2 and 4 is very early to draw too many conclusions, and statistics can give you trend info that may not be in any way meaningful to an individual situation.

I also, also agree with the notion that being a gifted child isn't a guarantee of anything. It's just one aspect of a whole person, and can be pretty dang complicated.

[Juvysen]

Originally Posted by Miss Information

Uh, yeah, I'm quite a highly "qualified" stay at home mom now too. But I put my abilities to research to some great use! I may not be bringing home a salary, but I surely saved us a bunch of money in therapy for my daughter by doing many things myself.

LOL... yeah I *am* good at researching... which seems to make me weirder and weirder (further from mainstream) as time goes on...

[Thalia the Muse]

I also, also agree with the notion that being a gifted child isn't a guarantee of anything. It's just one aspect of a whole person, and can be pretty dang complicated.

I think it's easy to forget sometimes that "average" doesn't mean "dumb" or "dull," too. Since having my own kid and being exposed to tons of others through her daycare, schools, camps, etc., I am always blown away by how interesting and bright most kids seem to me! That is a stage in life where people's minds are SWITCHED ON. Obviously some kids are more intelligent and deeper thinkers than others, but kids as a group are fairly amazing people -- imaginative, funny, and wildly curious.

[joensally]

Originally Posted by Thalia the Muse

I think it's easy to forget sometimes that "average" doesn't mean "dumb" or "dull," too. Since having my own kid and being exposed to tons of others through her daycare, schools, camps, etc., I am always blown away by how interesting and bright most kids seem to me! That is a stage in life where people's minds are SWITCHED ON. Obviously some kids are more intelligent and deeper thinkers than others, but kids as a group are fairly amazing people -- imaginative, funny, and wildly curious.

Absolutely!

Appearing to forget this is what gives gifted folks the reputation of elitism.