Being gifted is often associated with high intellectual ability and exceptional talent, but it doesn’t automatically translate to having strong organizational or executive functioning skills. In fact, many gifted individuals may excel in areas like problem-solving or creative thinking but still struggle with everyday tasks like planning, managing time, and following through with assignments. This can lead to difficulties in both academic and personal settings.
Let's delve into the specific challenges that gifted individuals, particularly twice-exceptional students, might face. We'll discuss the impact these challenges can have on their daily lives and offer insights into how to support them effectively. By bridging the gap between intelligence and executive functioning, we aim to help you understand how to foster success and well-being in twice-exceptional students who are gifted but may struggle with these essential skills.
Executive functioning issues in gifted children.
Executive functioning is one of the challenges faced by those who are neurodivergent and intellectually gifted, and it's important to understand that it's different from intelligence. The reality, however, is that many people, including educators, often don't know about the neuropsychological explanation behind this. Attention is your brain's ability to stay focused, while executive functioning is like the brain's manager, helping you organize and plan for the future. You might realize that your bright child never plans ahead and waits until the last minute to finish assignments. This is common among gifted children with executive functioning issues.
They often rely on their intelligence and don't feel the need to work hard because they usually don't have to. However, schoolwork demands more than just intelligence; it requires producing tangible results, which can be frustrating for both teachers and parents, and even more so for the kids. Unlike in the past, when we could get by with less output, today's educational environment requires students to do much more. Good executive functioning allows us to visualize the end product and take the necessary steps to achieve it.
What I want to emphasize is that having a high IQ isn't a guarantee that you'll be able to get things done. This is why many highly intelligent adults rely on assistants, and why parents often end up doing things for their kids. Our goal, though, is to help them become self-regulated.
Intersection Between Twice Exceptional Traits and Executive Functioning
Just being smart isn’t enough; you need good executive functioning to plan and reach your goals. Without strong executive skills, it’s hard to stay organized and follow through with tasks. This can affect your performance not only in school but also at home and in other activities. Effective planning and organization are key to turning your intelligence into successful outcomes.
Many twice-exceptional individuals face unique challenges because their high intelligence can mask underlying difficulties with executive functioning. This can create a disconnect between their potential and actual performance. They might excel in certain areas but struggle with tasks that require organization and time management. And so, recognizing and addressing these challenges is crucial for helping them bridge the gap between their intellectual abilities and their ability to achieve their goals effectively.
Supporting twice-exceptional kids with executive functioning challenges.
When talking about strategies to support kids, it’s important to focus on results. For example, instead of just giving a checklist, show your child what the end result should look like and have them walk you through the steps. This helps, especially for those who learn best through visual or kinesthetic methods. In fact, even as a teenager, it's crucial for them to see how things should be done. It’s essential for kids to work backward from the end result, rather than starting with a checklist, which can be confusing and frustrating.
Gifted kids, in particular, might resist these strategies because they believe their intelligence alone should suffice. But, as I’ve seen with many gifted students, even highly intelligent students often need help understanding that intelligence alone isn’t enough to overcome these challenges. My nephew, Michael, is executive functioning impaired despite being gifted. When he lived with me for two years, he learned how crucial it is to use effective strategies and to want to improve. Gifted kids often need visual and kinesthetic support to make progress. It's also important to address their social and emotional needs alongside academics.
Many parents mistakenly focus only on academics, thinking that if their child excels there, their emotional issues will resolve on their own. However, emotional support is crucial. Teaching kids to manage their emotions and frustrations helps them in all areas of life. Remember, executive functioning skills can be taught, and you have the power to make a difference.
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For additional resources, check out the following:
● 201 Gifted Children Understanding & Nurturing their Potential
● 1 Way to Teach Executive Functioning Skills for Better Grades and a Calmer Mind
● Dysregulated Behavior in Kids
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