The eight great gripes of gifted kids: Responding to special needs

This article examines “The Eight Great Gripes of Gifted Kids,” as identified through surveys and interviews with over 400 gifted students from six states. They ranged in age from 7 to 18 and there were nearly equal numbers of girls and boys. The purpose of this research was to provide information about the social/emotional concerns of gifted and talented youth at school, home and with peers. The information presented here is written from the students’ point of view. Suggestions for responding to their “Eight Great Gripes” are proactive in nature. In better understanding social and emotional concerns, as expressed by gifted children themselves, it is hoped that parents and educators will be better able to foster healthy attitudes and behaviors among the gifted.