Look up the NSWAGTC. They are awesome - even for out of staters. My eldest sister has a Exceptionally Gifted son and found out that the QLD Association wasnt really interested in helping her because he was "normal" otherwise. If he had had Aspergers or the like then they would have been more interested. NSW offers support for everyone. They have support groups on the borders so that those from other states can hopefully get to one.
I can understand it not being a popular idea. Not trying to upset ANYONE at all but I have discovered in some ways that non gifted parents (best way I can put it) tend to get upset at hearing about Gifted Support. The school I send my kids to have OC and I joined the P&C as the Gifted go to person, and just trying to bring up the needs of Gifted children was consistantly shot down with "What about non gifted kids. Don't they deserve that too". They also completely misread giftedness. "Well if those kids are so smart then they dont NEED any extra help, do they."
Beyond that, they have no clue how that attitude is so damaging to the kids in the playground. If their kid so much as hears them ranting about "Gifted parents thinking their kids are so damn special they need this and that when they should be smart enough to work without it" the kids in the OC get "nerded" and hassled out - causing them to stop acting smart so they fit in better.
The lack of understanding simply perpetuates the cycle leading to the need of support.
Oh I have so much more I could go on about but I shant.
I have two nephews that are very clever for their age and demonstrate advacned learning and understanding, so it would be interesting. I hope that my little man has some of what I had as a child with similar traits.
I can see though how parents can see the idea of 'gifted' children in a different light.
The term in it's self is almost perceivable as exlcusionary of the 'ordinary' kids. That can hurt a parent who sees their angel as special and made up of many unique talents. Does it mean that my child isn't 'gifted' or 'talented'? That they are somehow inferior? I appreciate the other viewpoint.
Nourishing the need for learning is important in these kids, whilst aloowing them to just grow up is vital. how we develop these kids might actually help the 'ordinary' ones.
I think it would be interesting and useful to read contributions to a thread like this.
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