Dr. Debra Troxclair, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction at ULM, presented information concerning gifted children at the 25th "Silver Anniversary" Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted Conference July 18 – 20 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Troxclair’s speech centered on “’Peak’ Parenting: Understanding the Impact of Overprotection.”

According to its Web site, SENG “believe[s] that recognizing, understanding, and accepting the unique social and emotional needs of this population are the first priorities for teachers, parents, and counselors. SENG supports strong gifted education programs, but we believe the emotional piece is the foundation for the development of healthy, happy, well-adjusted, appropriately educated, and contributing gifted members of society.”

Concerning teachers, the organization also holds the views that they must be educated about the different ways that gifted children learn and of their specialized social and emotional needs, if those children are to be instructed effectively.

More about SENG:

According to its Web site, in 1981, SENG was formed to bring attention to the unique emotional needs of gifted children, providing adults with guidance, information, resources, and a forum to communicate about raising and educating these children.

Today, it has expanded its goals to focus on gifted adults as well as children. Though many schools, communities and organizations focus on the intellectual needs of gifted individuals, the organization brings attention to their unique social and emotional needs, which are often misunderstood or ignored. SENG promotes environments where gifted individuals can develop positive self-esteem, thrive, and utilize their talents by underwriting and providing education, research, theory building, and staff development. SENG also provides staff development to counselors, psychologists, and physicians on the unique social and emotional needs of gifted individuals.

For more about the organization, go to:
www.sengifted.org/about_history.shtml