Is My Child Gifted? Understanding High Intellectual Potential

Precocious, gifted, twice-exceptional... Your child seems different? Discover the real signs of high intellectual potential, beyond clichés, and how to support them.

A child absorbed in reading a complex book

"He Asks Too Many Questions," "She's Too Sensitive"

Your child exhausts everyone with endless "whys." He cries over "little things." She's bored at school despite average grades. He taught himself to read at 4. She refuses homework because "it's too easy."

These behaviors catch your attention. Could your child be gifted?

Giftedness: What Are We Talking About?

High Intellectual Potential concerns about 2.3% of the population (IQ ≥ 130). It's also called "gifted," "precocious," or "twice-exceptional." It's not a disease, but a different neurological functioning.

Beyond Clichés: What Is a Gifted Child?

Forget the image of the little genius solving equations on a blackboard. Reality is much more nuanced.

What Giftedness IS NOT

A child necessarily brilliant at school
A "little adult" who's wise and reasonable
A prodigy in all areas
A guarantee of future success
An excuse for difficult behavior

What Giftedness IS

A different brain functioning (tree-like thinking)
Rapid processing of information
Often emotional and sensory hypersensitivity
An intense need for meaning and coherence
Insatiable curiosity about various subjects

Giftedness isn't "better" or "worse." It's different. And this difference can be a strength as much as a source of difficulty.

The Real Signs to Observe

Intellectually

Curiosity

Deep questions, thirst for learning

Memory

Retains easily, makes connections

Language

Rich vocabulary, precocious

Logic

Complex reasoning, abstraction

Emotionally

A hypersensitive child with their parent

Hypersensitivity: Intense emotional reactions, heightened empathy
Sense of justice: Intolerance of injustice, even minor
Anxiety: Anticipation, early existential fears
Perfectionism: Frustration when results don't match the idea

Socially

Often prefers adults or older children
May seem "out of sync" with peers
Particular humor, often misunderstood
Need for authentic, deep relationships

Beware of Generalizations

Every gifted child is unique. Some are extroverted, others introverted. Some excel at school, others struggle. The "typical" profile doesn't exist.

The School Paradox

Contrary to popular belief, many gifted children have difficulties at school:

Situation	Explanation
Average or poor grades	Bored, doesn't see the point, hasn't learned to work
Behavior problems	Restlessness from boredom, intellectual provocation
Writing difficulties	Thought faster than hand, frustration
Refusal to show work	"It's obvious," doesn't understand the need to explain
Social isolation	Gap with others' interests

One third of gifted children are reportedly struggling academically. High potential doesn't protect against failure – it can even contribute if the child isn't supported.

Should You Have Your Child Tested?

The IQ test (WISC for children) isn't mandatory, but can be useful if:

Your child is suffering

Distress, anxiety, feeling different, loss of motivation.

School is problematic

Unexplained failure, deep boredom, difficult behavior, bullying.

You need to understand

Putting words on different functioning can relieve the whole family.

Accommodations are needed

Diagnosis facilitates requests for school adaptations.

The Psychometric Assessment

Who? Psychologist trained in WISC administration
Duration? 2-3 hours of testing + interview + feedback
Cost? $300-600 (not covered, but some insurance may help)
Result? Complete cognitive profile, not just an IQ number

Beyond the IQ

The IQ number doesn't tell everything. The profile (strengths, weaknesses, consistency) and qualitative analysis are equally important. A good psychologist will explain all this.

How to Support a Gifted Child?

At Home

Validate Their Emotions

Their hypersensitivity is real, not "drama." Welcome their emotions without minimizing: "I see this is really hard for you."

Feed Their Brain

Offer stimulating activities: documentaries, museums, experiments, philosophical discussions. Let them explore their passions deeply.

Teach Effort

Paradoxically, gifted children often need to learn to work. Offer challenges at their level so they experience effort and constructive failure.

At School

Possible options depending on situations:

Differentiated instruction: Extra exercises, deepening
Grade skipping: Sometimes beneficial, evaluate case by case
Accommodation plans: IEP or 504 plans
Enrichment: Personal projects, tutoring, clubs
Specialized schools: In some cities

Talking to the Teacher

Explain your child's functioning without arrogance. Most teachers, once informed, are willing to adapt their approach.

Common Difficulties (and Solutions)

Difficulty	Solution
"Won't do homework"	Negotiate: if mastered, can they do less?
"Cries over everything"	Validate the emotion, help put words to it
"Has no friends"	Find peers (clubs, activities, gifted associations)
"Is rude"	Distinguish substance (often valid) from form
"Can't handle failure"	Value process, not just results

Giftedness and Other Conditions

Giftedness can coexist with other characteristics:

ADHD

Attention and impulsivity

Learning

Dyslexia, dyspraxia...

ASD

Autism spectrum

Anxiety

Anxiety disorders

This is called "twice-exceptional" (2e). These complex profiles require adapted support.

The Essential Message

A gifted child thriving in their passion

Your child isn't "too" anything. They are intensely themselves.

Giftedness is neither a gift nor a burden. It's a characteristic that, when understood and supported, can allow your child to thrive fully.

Well-supported gifted children often become adults who are:

Creative and innovative
Engaged in causes they care about
Capable of deep connections
Positive contributors to society

Your Role as a Parent

You don't need to understand everything. You need to be there, accept them as they are, and show them that their difference is a richness.