Therapy for gifted children and adults

Am I intellectually gifted?

Giftedness is not a disorder and yet many gifted children and adults describe it as a source of suffering.

If one feels he or she has a high sensitivity and a sense of being out of step with others, if one feels he or she has a different cognitive functioning and special creativity, that person may be intellectually gifted.

Psychological assessment is the way to know if it is giftedness. It includes among other tests the WAIS-IV, for people over 16 years of age, the WISC-V, for children and adolescents above 6 years old or the WPPSI-IV for younger children.

When intellectual giftedness is a source of suffering, a psychological assessment is necessary, but not sufficient.

Therapy for gifted children and adults

Therapy with intellectually gifted adults

In adults, giftedness becomes an asset, a strength, thanks to a form of therapy that is adapted to gifted adults. This kind of therapy takes into consideration the personality traits that are specific to intellectual giftedness. It also needs to be a therapy that explores the unconscious, to bring a long term well-being. Sometimes it is also very important for gifted adults to meet other gifted people, for example through membership in an association. This allows to have a place where one feels less different to other people.

Therapy with intellectually gifted children

For gifted children, therapy may be indicated. The question of the most adapted education often arises, whether it means skipping a class or being a student of a small class.