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NBC Today Show Profiles Wonder Kids
By Rory Stern | September 24, 2008
Welcome back!
This past Tuesday morning, I caught the tail end of a great feature story on NBC’s Today Show. Apparently, they were talking about “wonder” kids or child prodigies. But that’s not what caught my attention.
I couldn’t help but be drawn in when their “child expert” was asked, “What happens when these children are not identified?”
Her response:
They get bored and they act out. These children can find school to be boring!
Really, I thought to myself? Does that sound familiar?
Hmmm…. Children who are bored act out and get in trouble. Is this only for gifted children?
Here’s the advice she offered parents of other “gifted” students:
- Be a forceful advocate for your child so they are stimulated and reach their potential.
- Find mentors for your child in their area of expertise (aka, what they are most passionate or gifted about).
The individual girl they profiled, and what really sparked my attention for the story, was a 13-year-old girl who is already in college. She is part of a scientific research team and is being groomed for medical school.
13 years old — being groomed for medical school.
Seriously?
So, what’s the connection with ADHD?
Here is a child who is being thrust in to a world that is way beyond where she is and / or should be developmentally. I think it’s GREAT that she has found such great success.
But I wanted to point out that no one was insulting her or trying to keep her back. No one was talking about the difficulty she might face in social situations because of her age difference. No one was talking about how this advanced career path could hurt her in the future.
And that’s a very good thing. She deserves to hear the positives in what she can accomplish.
Bottom Line?
Children who are different need to be challenged, and they need to be mentored. It is our job as parents, mentors, educators, and adults to make sure they get what they need!
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Topics: Differences | 1 Comment »
September 26th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Rory, my response to the NBC piece would have been the same as yours. I’m uncomfortable with focusing primarily on a child’s academic success, suggesting that there is nothing more important than outstanding academic achievement. If you look at the people in the world and in history who have really made a difference, few of them fit in this category. I’ve had many clients who on the outside appear “successful” but are crying on the inside.