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S. Abigail McCarrel, LCSW, DCSW

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4 Tips for Parenting an Above Average Child

October 4, 2019 by BBYMCCRRL75216 Leave a Comment

Parenting the Above Average Child

If you’re the parent of a gifted child, you may be challenged with a unique set of circumstances. Your gifted child might be mentally above average, but have difficulty interacting with their peers; they may be immature, impatient, or easily bored. Your friends and family may look on in awe at your child’s abilities, blissfully unaware of the difficulties you face on a daily basis. Here are four tips to help you parent your above average son or daughter.Dramatic image of young caucasian woman, face painted with flames and a pointed, veiled had and wearing a necklace as a gifted child in family therapy.

1. Have Your Child Assessed

Although testing shouldn’t be the sole source of identifying a gifted student, tests are a good way to identify a gifted learner. Contact your school to have your child assessed for gifted classes or programs. Since there are no national guidelines for identifying gifted students, your school district will have its own standards. You can also have your child tested by a licensed psychologist experienced with gifted children.

2. Find Programs for Gifted Students

Your school district may have special programs or classes for gifted students. Search online or check with your local library for special classes or groups. You might even consider taking your child to a class or seminar that would interest them. This will give you special alone time with your child as well as help entertain and educate your gifted son or daughter. Finding special programs may require additional time and travel on your part.  It will, however, provide your child with unique learning opportunities that will benefit them for a lifetime.

3. Help Them Improve Social Skills

Teen girl relaxes in homemade tent, reading a bookWhile it’s important to help your gifted child in their search for knowledge, it’s sometimes easy to forget that it’s equally important to nurture their social and emotional development. Provide your child with opportunities to interact with their peers. Contact their school or the local park or community center to find out about social or interest groups that would benefit your child, or talk to other parents for recommendations.

4. Have Realistic Expectations

When you have a gifted learner for a child, you may come to always expect their extraordinary achievement and ease in learning. However, this is not realistic; your child may be gifted with math, but have more difficulty with reading and writing, or vice versa. It’s important to maintain reasonable expectations. These expectations may also include their Young caucasian woman with dark hair, glasses and a flower crown, expresses herself as a gifted child.behavior. Despite their amazing ability to learn, your son or daughter is still a child, and will not necessarily have the emotional maturity to match their intellectual maturity. Recognize and acknowledge your child’s strengths, and be patient and supportive when they need extra help.

Are you having difficulty parenting your gifted child, and need the guidance of a licensed professional? Call my office at your earliest convenience, and let’s set up an appointment to talk. https://welcomehomefamilytherapy.com/family-therapy-for-gifted-children/.

Contact Abby:

Contact Abby for a free, 20-minute phone consultation for family therapy for a gifted child: (626)755-4059. Are ready to add “healer” to your job description?

I provide online family therapy throughout California and In-Home Family therapy to folks in Arcadia, California and the surrounding areas.

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Filed Under: Teens/Children Tagged With: 2e, family therapy for gifted, gifted, gifted and talented, gifted assessment, gifted classroom, gifted education, gifted family therapy, gifted parenting, gifted teacher, giftedness, overexcitabilities, parenting gifted, parenting gifted children, parenting gifted kids, twice-exceptional

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S. Abigail McCarrel, LCSW, DCSW



Phone: (626) 755-4059
sabigail@protonmail.com
Contact Abby

Abby not only does amazing work with families, but she also takes the time and effort to thoughtfully engage with her community and educate them on important topics such as family systems, mental health, child development, nervous system regulation, the parent/child bond, the needs of Highly Sensitive People and much more. When you read Abby’s work, you know immediately that she “does her homework,” as it’s well-researched, but more importantly you can sense her passion and commitment. I highly recommend Abby for anyone looking to improve the harmony within their family!

S. Abigail McCarrel, LCSW, DCSW

Phone: (626) 755-4059 sabigail@protonmail.com

Address
236 E. Foothill Blvd., Ste, C
Arcadia, CA19006

S. Abigail McCarrel : Welcome Home Family Therapy

The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice

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