Psychologist Fiona Smith about a 145+ IQ

Summary

Fiona Smith, a psychologist with 20 years of experience in Sydney, emphasizes the need for proper training in recognizing the unique behaviors of gifted individuals. She highlights that traditional psychological assessments often mislabel gifted traits as disorders like ADHD or autism, stemming from a lack of understanding. Smith urges parents to trust their instincts about their children and to recognize the giftedness that may also exist in family members. Instead of viewing gifted children as problematic, she advocates for celebrating their unique qualities and fostering an environment where their differences are appreciated and nurtured.

Takeaways

• 😀 Psychologists often lack training in working with gifted individuals, leading to misunderstandings.
• 😀 Gifted individuals can exhibit unusual behaviors that are not pathological but rather a reflection of their giftedness.
• 😀 There is no 'typical' gifted person; everyone thinks and processes information differently.
• 😀 Misdiagnosis can occur when gifted individuals are labeled with conditions like ADHD or autism due to boredom or disengagement.
• 😀 Families of gifted children often reflect similar traits, suggesting a genetic component to giftedness.
• 😀 Parents should trust their instincts regarding their child's behavior and potential diagnoses.
• 😀 The education system often fails to recognize and celebrate giftedness, focusing instead on perceived problems.
• 😀 It is essential for psychologists to differentiate between giftedness and actual disabilities.
• 😀 Celebrating a gifted child's uniqueness can lead to a more supportive and understanding environment.
• 😀 Awareness of one's own giftedness in families can help in recognizing and nurturing gifted traits in children.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Fiona Smith's work as a psychologist?

Fiona Smith focuses on working with gifted individuals, addressing their unique behaviors and needs that are often misunderstood.

Why do psychologists often misinterpret the behaviors of gifted individuals?

Many psychologists lack training in recognizing the traits of gifted individuals, leading them to pathologize normal behaviors as abnormal.

How does Fiona describe the thinking styles of gifted individuals?

She emphasizes that gifted individuals think differently; for instance, some may think visually while others, like herself, may not use images at all.

What issues arise from labeling gifted individuals with disabilities like ADHD or autism?

Mislabeling can occur when gifted individuals exhibit behaviors that are mistaken for disabilities, often due to boredom or lack of engagement in traditional settings.

What advice does Fiona offer to parents of gifted children regarding diagnoses?

She encourages parents to trust their instincts about their children, suggesting they often know better than professionals whether a diagnosis is accurate.

How does familial history play a role in understanding giftedness?

Fiona advises families to examine their own histories, noting that gifted traits often run in families, and understanding this can help celebrate a child's giftedness.

What is Fiona's perspective on the educational environment for gifted children?

She advocates for schools to celebrate giftedness rather than stigmatize it, suggesting that schools should recognize and nurture the unique qualities of these children.

How can teachers support gifted students more effectively?

Teachers need training to identify gifted behaviors accurately and to differentiate between boredom and actual disabilities in their students.

What does Fiona believe about the normalcy of thinking differences?

She asserts that there is no 'normal' way to think, and that variations in thinking are natural across both gifted and typical populations.

What is the ultimate goal of Fiona's work with gifted individuals?

The ultimate goal is to help gifted individuals feel understood and validated, encouraging both them and their families to embrace their unique qualities.