Resources for parents
Resources to Help Support Gifted Children:
Parents of gifted children often feel alone in the process of advocating and locating appropriate local resources to help ensure that their child’s needs are met inside and outside of the school environment. Below, I have listed many different web-based resources and texts relating to local and national Gifted and Talented programs/organizations for parents (and teachers) to use.
National Association for Gifted Children
Among other online resources, the organization’s electronic handbook on parent advocacy guides parents in getting organized to push education leaders for more services and programs. Its “Gifted by State” chart lists gifted education contacts in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. A CD-ROM called the Mile Marker Series, a compilation of resources on gifted education for parents, is also available for purchase.
The NEAG Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development
The website for the center, located at the University of Connecticut, includes links to research and news articles on gifted education, in addition to a resource page for parents with a myriad of websites and organization recommendations.
An “all things gifted” resource website for parents and teachers that helps parents understand what gifted means and how to test for giftedness, ways to connect with other parents of gifted students, and how to find programs and services outside of schools that serve gifted students.
SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted):
The association’s website provides a wealth of gifted education recommendations and resources for parents that include names of speakers and workshop leaders, books and research articles, contact information for active parent groups, a list of mental health professionals that work with gifted students, and how to get a child tested for gifted services.