4 ms·

Just out of curiosity, did you live in the Philadelphia area? I knew a 13 year old going to a local college in Bryn Mawr/Haverford, but I don't think he was at

Just out of curiosity, did you live in the Philadelphia area? I knew a 13 year old going to a local college in Bryn Mawr/Haverford, but I don't think he was attending either of those prestigious colleges. I don't recall his name (this was nearly 30 years ago) and I wondered what happened to him. Reading these comments it sounds like a lot of people feel like you do about acceleration being an issue. For me, I was both Gifted and Learning Disabled, and both programs were unprepared for the issues of someone who was both very smart but also had significant learning issues. It was very difficult. :(

IggleSniggle 5y ago
I was also both Gifted and Learning Disabled (although I prefer to list them in the opposite order). I think it's likely that there's a lot more neurodiversity than acknowledged generally, but we're just sort of stuck with the very human condition of balancing the needs of the group with the needs of the individual. Honestly I don't think any "program" is truly prepared to meet the needs of anybody at all. It was difficult for me, too, but I think striving, suffering, etc are all human conditions that we all experience regardless of how we get there. "Gifted" and "Learning Disabled" programs exist for the benefit of normalizing behavior and capabilities that are farther outside the curve. That they existed when we were young is merely a testament to a collective desire for general cohesiveness.
- emacsen 5y ago
  Yes, I would normally write it as LD/Gifted, or "Twice Exceptional" but I changed the order to fit with the conversation. I was extremely lucky and privileged to go to school that catered to LD and LD/Gifted students. Sadly while the school is still there, they've changed focus to other types of students, namely Autistic students. While Autistic students are certainly important, seeing the niche I was in having one less resource makes me sad.
R0b0t1 5y ago
There are a handful of studies I am aware of. Acceleration of 1-2 years among gifted students is correlated with a lack of negative outcome, i.e., not accelerating them is correlated with depression, drug abuse, and mental health crises. But acceleration beyond that sees no marked improvement or detriment. Child prodigies tend to become very normal career scientists or engineers.

IggleSniggle 5y ago

I was also both Gifted and Learning Disabled (although I prefer to list them in the opposite order). I think it's likely that there's a lot more neurodiversity than acknowledged generally, but we're just sort of stuck with the very human condition of balancing the needs of the group with the needs of the individual. Honestly I don't think any "program" is truly prepared to meet the needs of anybody at all. It was difficult for me, too, but I think striving, suffering, etc are all human conditions that we all experience regardless of how we get there. "Gifted" and "Learning Disabled" programs exist for the benefit of normalizing behavior and capabilities that are farther outside the curve. That they existed when we were young is merely a testament to a collective desire for general cohesiveness.

emacsen 5y ago
Yes, I would normally write it as LD/Gifted, or "Twice Exceptional" but I changed the order to fit with the conversation. I was extremely lucky and privileged to go to school that catered to LD and LD/Gifted students. Sadly while the school is still there, they've changed focus to other types of students, namely Autistic students. While Autistic students are certainly important, seeing the niche I was in having one less resource makes me sad.

R0b0t1 5y ago

There are a handful of studies I am aware of. Acceleration of 1-2 years among gifted students is correlated with a lack of negative outcome, i.e., not accelerating them is correlated with depression, drug abuse, and mental health crises. But acceleration beyond that sees no marked improvement or detriment. Child prodigies tend to become very normal career scientists or engineers.