Gifted People.

[Rorschach]

I'm gifted in anything related to language or words. At the age of two, I read Shakespeare and understood it. At the age of five, I spelled words like "triskaidekaphobia". I've been writing stories since I was three. I'm not arrogant about it. It hasn't made a big difference in my life, honestly.

[atumtay]

@Docezio Thank you!! This is very explanatory for anyone who doesn't understand... although, I disagree with the laziness part, since I'm quite challenged in my class. XD I really don't like calling it gifted, since it's just a different way of learning, so I quite agree with your post. :3

[Khisa]

I don't have a problem with people saying they did well on a test or whatever. I just have a problem with the fact that in the US (and maybe other countries - don't know) have special "gifted" programs for certain kids. And these programs, from what I've seen, can really ruin kids. Because they start thinking they're really special and better than others. And it's probably not all of them (and some may not realize they have those attitudes) but I feel that separating students like that only hurts them in the long run. If a student is really that much more advanced than others at their grade level, they should be moved up a grade, not sent to a special program to make them feel special. Actually, there's flaws all over America's education system, and I really think it needs to be paced for each individual student without separating them into "smart" groups and "dumb" groups. Because even though they're not outright called the "dumb" groups, if you're one of the students separated out to do work below your level, you're going to feel like you're stupid. You start feeling like you're too dumb and that message gets reinforced, some kids are going to stop trying. I've seen it happen too many times. I've also seen kids from "smart" groups realize they're not as intelligent as they thought and that doesn't look like a fun experience either.

So it hurts the kids plus I don't like putting up with their attitudes. There's way too many of them who brag about how gifted they are all the time (or their parents do it) and it's irritating and I really wish someone would put them in their place. I think that's the reason my mother had a bumper sticker that said, "My hockey player can beat up your honor student." She hates that too. We have a good friend who had a daughter in a "gifted" program and that girl has the worst attitude and acts like she knows everything. I remember she was doing some homework and I mentioned something she had wrong and she got her snobby attitude on and pretty much told me I was an idiot and that everything she did was right and she couldn't possibly be wrong. And she's not the only one like that.

I was more referring to the equation of the existence of this topic to arrogance of the people posting in it, which to me does not make sense.
I have no idea how the US-American school system works or does not work for 'gifted' students.

I have my very own experience, as a child in Germany you do not get tested at all, and even if you're oh so clever (as in you get best grades and bored during lessons) it is hard to get the permission to visit a higher class. I was hated on by my elementary school teacher, because I could write and read thanks to teaching myself. I was never helped, in fact I kept asking questions a lot and was told that they do not bother to answer, I shall wait until I am taught, years later. I wish I had been put into a special programme that had allowed me to USE the potential I had and that has now gone totally to waste. I don't think that's fair either. I think every student should have tailored additional courses to his or her needs, one being bad at languages can just as much excel in sciences, most people do not have their gifts averagely spread. *sigh*
I don't want to sound arrogant, I do not want to be arrogant or better, but I would have loved to be given the chance to explore my potential and put it to use for everyone's benefit, not to be a better person compared to others, but a better person, a better educated person with a better character than I am now compared to myself. I hope that helps to understand where I am coming from.

To connect the value of a person with a number, be it their weight, height or the result of an IQ-test is totally ridiculous.

[Pureh-12]

Aren't we all?

Yes, that's a valid point xDD. "Normal" People are boring.

"Normal" is a relative term that I don't like people confusing with "average".
Most times I prefer "average" people because they don't have the self-appointed, over inflated ego many "gifted" people seem to carry and they have the drive to succeed many of the "gifted" lack. The "gifted" are at a great disadvantage because of their susceptibility to laziness and lack of motivation, regardless of their advanced level of understanding. Those people scoot by on their "gift" because it's not necessary for them to put the effort in that "average" people do when learning, which later leads to problems as they hit the ceiling for their natural ability. I'm not accusing "gifted" people of an inborn laziness, but like I said they're by nature more prone to it. It's a serious issue for a lot of the "gifted" because they aren't being challenged mentally. If there's no challenge, there is no drive to achieve beyond the minimum. It makes it incredibly difficult for the "gifted" to apply themselves later in life. Many of the "gifted" are also at risk of being classified as ADD because they reflect similar behavior.

Oftentimes being one of the many "gifted" people out there is just as much of a challenge as being one of those labeled "below average".
The "gift" doesn't mean you're automatically smarter than everyone else, it means you think and evaluate differently. An advanced level of understanding comes at a cost.

I know all this as truth because I've been suffering from the "gift" you apparently own too.
I'm alienated in public settings because I have difficulty conforming to and learning proper social behavior, I can barely organize and express my ideas because my thought process is SO fast, and college is now incredibly difficult because I've never been mentally challenged like this (and I barely understand how to learn the entirely foreign material assigned to me).

From my own perspective it's more of a "curse" than a "gift".

When I say "normal" I'm not using it like the word "average" When I say normal, I mean someone who is juts boring and had no sense of being an individual. I like your post^^

[Pureh-12]

Trust me. Being "gifted" doesn't make you more special or better in anyway. IN fact, it can make your life harder. I tend to be alienated and alone, because of it. If you feel we are arrogant, I'm sorry. I'm not trying to be arrogant nor is anyone else(I think xD)

[Spock and Kirk]

I'm gifted in anything related to language or words. At the age of two, I read Shakespeare and understood it. At the age of five, I spelled words like "triskaidekaphobia". I've been writing stories since I was three. I'm not arrogant about it. It hasn't made a big difference in my life, honestly.

I'm the same way. I have a gift with language.

[KawiiDemon]

I am classified as "gifted" in some ways. I am in advanced classes and have a 1325 SRI score (its a type of reading comprehention assesment) which makes my reading level a 12th grade advanced, the highest level you can get, in 8th grade. I read a lot but i didnt read a lot until 5th grade. So i think I could go in the gifted catagory at leat in reading

[mkleger]

We Take the MEAP here. I scored advanced for everything.(Meap= Michigan Educational Assessment Program)

Ask about the test. You feel you show signs of being gifted,righT?

I take the LEAP. (Louisiana Educational Assessment Program)

MEAP just sound so funny! lol

[Something Diabolical]

I was always considered a gifted person in school. I skipped a grade, and at the private school I went to you had to test to get in, and I got one of the highest scores they'd ever seen. However, since it was already a private school for smart people it didn't really have a gifted program.

[Dovahkiin]

I'm gifted in the arts (says me and some others).

I can sing, write, and create are well. (On paper).

I don't think I'm gifted academically, but everyone disagrees. People fight to have me as a partner in projects. It's actually quite funny.

I'm rather alone, actually. People think I'm weird, nerdy, or psycho. It isn't my fault I tend to be random... it isn't my fault I pay attention in class and get dubbed, 'smart'... I was born this way, people... deal with it or get kicked in the teeth.

I also love to read. In 5th grade I read at a 11th-12th grade level.

However, I'm concerned I have ADD. Yes, I do well academically, but I get distracted easily and I'm easily amused and fascinated.