Thriving in the Intensity of the Gifted Family

The innate traits and behaviors of gifted individuals run contrary to what many believe giftedness "looks" like. Society tends to focus on achievement and success, not understanding that characteristics such as perfectionism, strong emotions, a need for autonomy, a focus on fairness and justice, sensory sensitivities, and a rabid drive in ever-changing passions, are part and parcel of the daily gifted experience. Whether formally identified or not, at some point in the journey of raising their gifted children, many parents begin to recognize themselves in their children's nature. The truth is, giftedness runs in families, and the swirl of gifted traits contributed by individual family members can lead to intense family dynamics. Please join us as we talk about characteristics common to gifted individuals, how these characteristics impact family interactions, and how not only to survive such intensity, but how everyone can thrive in its rich tapestry. 

Sharon Duncan is an independent consultant. She works with parents, educators, psychologists, and pediatricians to help them understand and meet the social, emotional and educational needs of gifted children. Sharon also consults with parents on educational decisions including homeschooling, classroom challenges, and provides training on the innate characteristics and behaviors of giftedness to educators so that they can practice their craft more effectively. Prior to her work with Gifted Identity, she spent 26 years working at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Sharon has served on the Board of Trustees at two private schools, and as President of the School Site council at a public Elementary School. She is co-founder of both Gifted Identity and Gifted Research and Outreach, a non-profit dedicated to promoting a comprehensive and accurate understanding of giftedness through research and outreach.