Gifted students with spatial strengths and sequential weaknesses:An overlooked and underidentified population

Gifted students with spatial strengths are often overlooked and underserved in American schools. These students have remarkable areas of talent but often have verbal learning difficulties that prevent them from being identified for gifted services. This article focuses on definitions of spatial ability, characteristics of these learners, possible identification procedures, effective teaching strategies, and possible social development concerns of these students. The dwindling numbers of American students pursuing higher level degrees in mathematics and science, natural strength areas for students with spatial strengths, emphasizes the reasons educators need to identify and encourage these students at an early age.