The Survival Guide for Parents of Gifted Kids. How to Understand, Live With, and Stick Up for Your Gifted Child

Editorial Review
What does it mean to be "gifted"? What's good—and not so good—about being identified as gifted? How can parents make sure that their gifted children get the learning opportunities they need? And how can parents cope with the unique challenges gifted kids present?

Every parent of a gifted child has question like these. Since 1991, when we published the original edition of this guide, parents have looked here for answers. Now revised and updated with information about current research and legislation, new examples, new resources (including Web sites), and more, it's the first place to turn for facts, insights, strategies, and sound advice.

You'll learn what giftedness is (and isn't), what makes gifted kids so special, how kids are identified as gifted, and why some kids fall through the cracks during the identification process. You'll discover encouraging practical tips for living with your gifted child—and handling the endless questions, high energy, and too-smart mouth that often go along with giftedness. You'll find out how to keep from raising a "nerd," how to prevent perfectionism, and when to get help. And you'll learn how to advocate for your child's education at school and in your state.

Friendly, inviting, and fun to read, THE SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR PARENTS OF GIFTED KIDS is for any parent who has ever wondered.
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Customer Reviews

Seattle Mom

2007-01-23
Would recommend this book to teachers, coaches, anyone working with children. Helps to recognize giftedness in children, understand and deal with them.

Having a gifted child, the book hit buttons on every page.

Survival Guide

2007-01-17
This book is great. I have read many books on gifted children and this one is one of the best. Gifted kids are challenging and when you discover your child it gifted you think "now what". This book is very helpful.

Happy I bought this book

2007-01-17
If you have been told that your child is gifted and you want to know what the gist of it is and want to start with reading one book before investing in every book out there, this is the book for you. I had a long list of books to order but decided to try just one first and it happened to be this one and I am so glad that it was. It gives a great general view of what to expect, what to do, and what to feel. It mentioned something that I felt when my daughters teacher told me that she "may grow up to discover the cure for cancer", and that is the guilt! Instead of feeling only proud, which I do, I felt as tho maybe the teacher thought I wasn't a good enough parent for such a smart child and that having such an ignorant parent could ruin her intellect! I felt a bit ashamed and thanks to this book I no longer do. I don't like and don't read self-help books and did not expect to read this book cover to cover, if at all, but it turned out to be a great asset and comfort to me.

A classic... highly recommended!

2006-10-22
Dr. Yahnke's book is very accessible, love her writing style. Illustrations and sidebar material make this book a fun and engaging read. This is a great place to start if you suspect your kid might be gifted - or if you are looking for some advice on how to live with and advocate for an already identified gifted child. A classic... highly recommended!

very helpful book

2005-10-03
I found this a very helpful book but the format is a little too "dumb" (short chapters, star boxes, illustrations). I preferred "Guiding the Gifted Child".

Great Book!!!

2008-07-01
I am not completely done reading this, but I think this is a must have for any parent of a gifted kid. I would highly recommend this!

Great for Parents Book Club

2008-03-28
This is a great read for busy parents. The book is easy to follow and answers lots of questions without rhetoric. It touches on key issues that gifted and talented children deal with, how they perceive themselves to be and how they are perceived by others. It explains how a child can be tested, what kinds of programs might be available and how we as parents can help our child get the best possible education. I'm reading this book as part of a Parents of Gifted and Talented Children Book Club. We meet every other week to discuss what we've read. It's perfect for initiating support topics and discussion.

Perfect for parents

2008-02-11
I purchased two books for gifted kids, this one is perfectly suited for parents. there are other books around which are more suitable for teacher but this one is for the caring parents gives you helpful practical tips/answers.

Excellent resource for families and schools

2007-05-22
There are many books on the topic of gifted and talented children as it relates to their education and needs. However, I found this book addressed the gifted child from many different aspects. It touched upon their academic and social-emotional needs. It provides parents with great insight into these children in terms of how they think, characteristics that are common and the dangers of mis-diagnosing gifted children with disorders such as ADHD. It is easy to read straight through but is also set up in such a way that a particular section of interest can stand alone. I had purchased this book for my own use and then purchased 7 more to present to our local Board of Education. Our district did not have a program for gifted and talented children on the elementary level. With this book in conjunction with other research a small group of parents and myself presented an entire packet to our Board of Ed. to make a case for this much needed program. We were successful. The program was added to our district's curriculum for next year. This book helped greatly to help us navigate and advocate for our children. Much recommended.

Book's title is misleading

2007-03-08
This book deals quite extensively with how to help your child if the school he/she goes to offers no gifted program or a pull-out program.

I didn't really find that any of the issues I deal with in my school district (which has gifted classes) or with my son (who seems to have some attention issues specifically related to his giftedness) were answered.

It does list other resources... Maybe those will be helpful.