ADHD, Learning Disabled or Gifted - The Misunderstood Learning Style

An academically gifted child is one who has a high aptitude for learning school subjects such as maths, natural and physical sciences, as well as languages. Gifted children's learning style follows a unique pattern of learning preferences, making school work easily accessible.

Because learning comes easily to such children, it's almost impossible to believe that they could be misdiagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder). Yet many gifted children go through their school career labelled difficult or inadequate learners.

Through no fault of theirs, many schools fail to address the needs of the gifted child. They:

• Do not support the child's interests.
• Discourage curious questioning.
• Do not value self-expression.
• Lack opportunities for critical thinking.
• Neglect the gifted child in favour of those who struggle to learn the syllabus.

And here comes the problem. A gifted child might become frustrated and start to exhibit the same signs as a person suffering from ADHD. Worse still, gifted children may even have learning disabilities, concealed by the fact that their superior reasoning ability enables them to cope with school in the first few years. Such overcompensation requires more energy and ultimately becomes demotivating.

Is your child gifted? Use our Learning style Analysis to find out.