The Solution to Misdiagnosis of Gifted Children & Adults
February 13, 2010
Triangle Psychological Services attended the NCAGT 2010 Conference as an exhibitor. The mission of our exhibit at the NCAGT Conference was to inform teachers, parents, school administrators, and gifted program staff members that the Triangle Psychological Services’ model of psychological testing is thorough and unbiased in regards to a diagnosis. We are committed to accurate and timely identification of gifted children and adults.
Because the symptoms of many diagnoses overlap it is not uncommon for gifted children and adults to be misdiagnosed and their giftedness to go unrecognized! We have first hand experience of children and adults who have been inaccurately “diagnosed” by teachers, themselves, physicians, friends and family with problems such as ADHD and Aspergers.
This is a sad situation.
Children and adults who are misdiagnosed will be misunderstood by others and by themselves. They will, in all likelihood, be labeled and thus receive negative feedback from others. This severely affects their feelings about themselves which, in turn, affects their interactions with others. Most of all, mis-labeling can lead to long term problems such as depression, anxiety, anger problems, troubled relationships, academic failure and even alcohol and/or drug abuse.
The TPS Psychological Testing Model
A child or adult who is referred for testing for Aspergers or ADHD (or some other diagnosis) will be tested using a general and “best practice” battery of formal and informal psychological measures. A thorough interview with the adult and/or parent helps us to understand the history of the issues. With permission, information is gathered from teachers and/or a close family member or friend. All of this information is vital and informs the experienced psychologist about the next level of assessment measures necessary to yield an accurate diagnosis.
Most importantly, a thorough and unbiased testing model yields practical, useful and informative recommendations for the individual, educators, family, and workplace. This provides the child or adult a realistic understanding of themselves and their struggles. They will have a chance to better understand their strengths and an opportunity to learn tools that can enable them to perform to the best of their ability understanding their weaknesses. And, above all, they will have the best opportunity to use their God-given gifts to their fullest.
Patti M. Zordich, Ph.D. is a Licensed Psychologist and Founder/Director of Triangle Psychological Services in Cary, NC. 919-380-1000 trypsych.com Become a fan of TPS on Facebook Follow us on Twitter
Spiritual Parenting: God is the Boss…
February 5, 2010
In addition to talking and walking, 14 to 18 months is the time children learn to relate to others. This is the time you can take an interest in the things your child likes. Often parents become preoccupied with whom or what they want a child to be as opposed to appreciating who God made them to be. In this fast-paced and competitive world it is vital for parents to focus, not only on attending to their child’s mind and body, but the spirit as well.
By age 2 or 3, children have gone from not walking and being non-verbal to walking and/or running and using words. They begin to request people and things verbally. This presents parents opportunities to understand how much freedom to allow and when to help as the child explores. There can be confusion with the parents’ need to protect and the child’s need to explore. Spiritual parenting beckons a parent to understand that God planted this need for exploration and He helps along the way, enabling the child to take age-appropriate risks as parents stand by (close by).
Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) says, “If you start children off in the ways they should go, they will not depart from them.” As your children become aware of the people in their lives, it is a prime opportunity to teach about kindness and consideration of others. Parents support children as they learn to bond and attach to people in their world and form strong and supportive relationships.
As the child moves into the preschool stage, ages 3-5, their circles of relationships are expanding. Of all these relationships, the most important is with the parents. There is a distinct line of authority in the child’s life and it is the parent’s job to define this through their actions and words. My wife and I often explained to our daughter that God is the boss of the parents, parents are the boss of the child and the child’s job is to simply learn. When leaving her with caregivers we briefed her on the order of command to prevent her from changing the hierarchy should an opportunity present itself.
Parents must look to the Bible and the Church for understanding and to develop some level of conviction regarding the benefits of authority for their children.
I recall several occasions when my daughter, age 4 at the time, feared sleeping alone in her room. Her mom and I told her the story of God’s call for Joshua to be “strong and courageous,” when he assumed leadership from Moses. Following this discussion, we prayed together for her to be a courageous butterfly princess. She would typically fall asleep shortly after the prayer but on occasion we would return and pray again as she may have a little more difficulty falling asleep.
Spiritual songs and stories are great for this age group. The Bible is full of stories about kings and queens, heroes and heroines, good and bad, right and wrong. Also, several preschool-age issues can be settled with spiritual references.
There are also many children’s Bible songs that provide parents and children opportunities to sing about God’s creation: “Blue skies and rainbows…” and about God’s magnitude and power: “He’s got the whole world in His hands…”. I believe you’ll be amazed and refreshed as you experience these Biblical songs and stories through the eyes of your children.
The next installment of our Spiritual Parenting series will take us into the elementary years. This period will present more challenges and more opportunity for growth.