What I Learned As An Ex-Gifted Kid | Caroline Cannistra | TEDxAshburnSalon

[@evecastle538]

Try being Gifted/Learning Disabled--teachers didn't have a CLUE what to do with me but decided that yelling and embarrassing me would do the trick. I teach now because I hated my teachers.

[@sab5686]

SO TRUE

[@gretchenh2180]

This is why my gifted son wants to teach. To right the wrongs he has experienced.

[@enchantedevergreen5329]

I was lucky that the learning disability didn't affect me as bad in the gifted kid program. I didn't get yelled at because I was called "emotional and sensory problems" and blamed my lashing out or sporadic crying on. I went to a speech therapy like program but for reading. It actually helped me alot and I'm very grateful but as soon as I graduated from the program everyone expected my intelligence to rise 5 levels. Like, no???

[@m2-x-n253]

there are MILLIONS OUT THERE, MILLIONS OF KIDS out there who are INSULTED and executed off thier TALENT

[@ggrugg1]

@Sarah Bailey High School English

[@krissy012p]

"It's a choice I make every day - what type of person I am to the world." That is brilliant. We don't have to be held to what personality tests or disorders label us as. We can be who we want to be, at least to an extent.

[@mamaluvbug987]

*to an extent* is truly key, because many (family, peers, especially so called "professionals"!) are quick to stereotype, cast judgements, make assumptions & put one in a box, thus reinforcing being kept in this box indefinitely; defined by their test results & array of diagnoses (regardless of accuracy, stamped & labeled for life once applied to one's records!). This character profile is built, modified & accessed -mysteriously & only further hinders one's choices, with a lifelong domino effect, guaranteed to continue by everyone who entered their assessed parameters of one's worth, serving via induced oppression!

[@Sarvebhavntusukhinah1111]

Good

[@amberpayson]

Great TEDx Talk. I love when people acknowledge that one can brilliant with a Learning disability. Being gifted is not a learning disability, but people definitely SHOULD pay close attention to both the sociological and psychological effects of being gifted because they disable us to “fit in” with the world. We are hypersensitive, empathetic and almost plagued by a constant need to know more . I was that gifted kid who FAILED, partially out of boredom but mainly because my teachers just didn’t know what to do with me. I had too many questions and not enough answers. Choosing a major was excruciating for me; I almost felt insulted to know that learning amounted to job training . I still don’t know how I’m supposed to decide a career :/

[@ldinti03]

Taylor yours.

[@alicia1636]

Personally i'm a gifted kid but I also have adhd and i'm autistic and I've Always done very Good in school but I have gotten so bored sometimes and now that i'm in senior year in high school I have a really Hard Time cause my procrastinating en attention problems with adhd are really catchibh Up to me ,before I could handle it by just spending more time om homework and being a perfectionist but It's not enough now ,luckily since I'm gifted I reatin information quite well so the timw that I do spend studying paus of well

[@digiryde]

Learning to fail is one of the most important lessons in life. Right up there with learning to persevere. I am not sure you can truly learn one without the other.

[@harveylin3548]

This, being gifted young end up being inside a resource cursed eco-system.

[@tdfefdsa4656]

I though this was going to be about how you started your life off as being diagnosed as gifted and eventually stop 'being smart' and fail because your primary school did not know how to deal with gifted kids so you're basically ruined because you never learned how to learn or work. I would have been very interested in such a topic.

[@EmpireRamzes]

sounds like what happened to me, typically there's a small window for being gifted then everyone catches up

[@mariahhart1087]

Ramzes Empire exactly😭

[@applejuice8271]

Same!!

[@joettaharris4230]

@@EmpireRamzes , that is not what gifted is. People don’t catch up with gifted folks.

[@inessa5923]

@@joettaharris4230 I used to be a gifted, grade-skipping student. Then I arrived at a point where I realized that there are instances where studying is required - where breezing through and winging it because "you're special" won't do the trick. I burned out and now I'm BEHIND all the "average" kids. So, yes, you definitely can catch up.

[@wordart_guian]

At times I Just wish giftedness was not such a taboo. I wish i wasn't supposed to feel guilty of thriving. I wish "society" wouldn't dismiss us as "bragging" when we really are not, and also dismiss us when we're complaining about our very real problem. When I entered middle School I had high hopes. I hoped in the School I was going to I would be actually able to make real friends, because There would be other kids like me, and they would understand me, and the teachers would too. I was told I was wrong, That I had absurd expectations, That others gifted kids were well integrated, That Giftedness doesn't really matter except for getting good grades and good grades are undeserved when you're gifted, That I was privilèged, That my comportment was wrong, That I was annoying and That no one cared about my "uninteresting" interests. That I should make an effort to be normal like everyone else, and That I should pass unremarked. I was bullied. Nah, harassed. Bullied is not strong enough of a term. Bullies told me I was alone, friendless, and That I should kill myself already. What I've lived through no one should have to live it.I'm in 12th grade, and I've just discovered I'd been lied to. That I wasted 5 years of my life believing lies. I discovered many other kids in my class were gifted, That they were my friends, and That they were definitely as quirky and socially awkward as me, because quirks and awkwardness come from overexcitablities, dyssynchronia and think process différences, and are characteristics of giftedness. That giftedness definitely matters in life, and That you Can talk about it with concerned friends. That they all have actually interesting interests That they talk about when between them, and That they really are more than the "normal Person" façade they put on. That we are actually sharing jokes together, That I get them and That they Are actually funny. That most of them were bullied in middle School, because of their différences, and thought they were the only ones because that's what they were told. That they told the teacher once they were happy That I was finally talking to them. I discovered I was not uninteresting as I was told. That I can actually have friends. And That I didn't have to adapt one bit to "the Real world", because Real friends only like the Real you. With quirks and all.This Is knowledge no gifted Child should be denied.

[@michellerericha3127]

My son is gifted.... has had some great teachers and not some great. Right now his teacher doesn't know what to do with him because she does so much extra with him but... she has to teach the other kids too. He gets bored and distracts class. Can't skip him because he is new to the school.... test scores are off the chart. 97th percentile in the Nation.... in gifted and talented programs math club music. Still bored. Comes home and studies a college anatomy book. I want to home school him but also I'm a single mom with another younger child. And everyone says don't homeschool him. I'm lost.

[@klara4199]

βωρδάρτ hello, i understand how you feel and I have gone through approximately the same problem of not fitting in without anyone actually acknowledging why I was different. It is very unfair an makes loneliness happen. Btw I see that you’re using a French keyboard, are you a French speaker? Dans ce cas, est-ce que tu viens de France Belgique ou de Suisse? Moi je parle aussi français hehe

[@wordart_guian]

@@klara4199 de france (désolé je réponds tard)

[@klara4199]

@@wordart_guian saches que je te soutiens depuis la Suisse, on m'a fait comprendre que j'étais bête, superficielle, ennuyante, tout ce que tu veux car je n'étais pas moi meme et ils ne voyaient qu'une facade qu'ils ne comprenaient pas. Je pense que si on réalise qu'on est beaucoup mais discrets, et qu'on n'est vraiment pas seuls dans cette situation, on peut se remotiver à vivre cette surdouance pleinement. Sans chercher à s'intégrer avec des gens plus simples qui nous tirent vers le bas. Je sais pas si tu avais besoin d'entendre ça ou pas mais ça m'a aidé personnellement de l'écrire hahah. voila bonne continuation

[@dr.hemanginipatel1590]

Learning to never stops is one of the most important lessons in life.

[@lightnightsky]

Being a "gifted" kid with undiagnosed ADHD is a different kind of pain

[@wesamshraah3631]

i am not gifted , i am kind of familliar with logical and reasoning stimmulation , the way that relives boredom , but there is something flow inside me a deeper explanation lies inside the mind , saying that there is in the environment something close as a higher energy of conciousness would say that its in gifted people could you see a higher consciousness rather than logic or reasoning ,

[@MountainMaid238]

Oh sweetheart this is exactly what I needed to hear, and I'm a 42 year old indigenous Māori mother of 3. I'm not too fond of the gifted label so I don't use it, but all three of my children are born this way too, but of course in very distinct ways. Thank you for sharing, my heart needed to hear that it's ok to have unique needs. Love from New Zealand ♥️

[@intrepidtomato]

That was excellent. I had a similar experience, except that I didn't go to college early, I just skipped a year. The label gifted really is not useful later in life. It took me a lot longer than it took you to understand special needs (I consider myself highly sensitive, so sensitive to sounds, too many stimuli etc) and that asking for help was okay. The label can be a bit of a self imposed prison.

[@awesomnesstothemax13]

A lot of the “negative side effects” of being gifted are just traits. Perfectionism, hyper focus on curiosities, extreme criticism is not what happens because your separated…it’s how these gifted kiddos are.

[@noahlow3552]

Fellow gifted people. I need help. I can relate completely to all the struggles she shared. I am diagnosed with bipolar and now I suspect ADD, I have a IQ of 149 and pretty sure my bipolar, inability to concentrate and gifted ness are all connected. I am slow and disorganised, always the last to leave class or go to recess. I am not as accomplished as the speaker who was able to achieve great academics feats at a very young age. I am 28 now and no where near achieve the goals I want like getting married, I am attracted to guys, I want to buy a house, a car, have a great career and learn and do well in many hobbies. I think one thing I lack is the perseverance to hone a skill, I give up too soon. I also feel like i have learning disability in school and often got embarrassed and even yelled at. I resorted to a life of drinking, drugs, promiscuity but Jesus found me and I completed change from quitting smoking, having stable finances, having great friends who love and want to walk my journey together with me and I am much more happier and sociable as a person. My bipolar is also much more controlled and stable as compared to my days in polytechnics where I even dropped out 3 times and got psychologically bullied. How can i make good use of the fact that I am incredibly gifted and become the top 1%? I have very big dreams

[@grantjonathansanford6174]

Very inspiring talk Caroline. Thankyou for that gift.

[@Pamungkas]

thank you

[@apotheticallyautistic73]

I relate 250% and have seriously so much more to contribute. I have autism adhd ptsd anxiety disorder. My head works exactly as urs does. But for me persoanlly my life experience has been so very different in comparison. If we could collaborate.... wow

[@anneleighsme6079]

I was always so jealous of gifted kids, I have a perfectionist streak, and if I don’t achieve it I hate myself, and if I do it’s expected, I say this like I won’t do it again during the school year which started today, but I just wanted to add some perspective

[@tasneemhadi5491]

It's not really that great. I mean high intellectual/general intelligence usually leads to low emotional and/or social abilities, and is also associated with developing anxiety and depression later on especially if not managed properly. I loved the fact that I didn't have to study to ace my subjects until I struggled with one and felt that my value as a person was related to my grades. Generally speaking being gifted is associated with many other issues when managed badly in children which it is most of the time so try to appreciate what you have because in the end everyone has different struggles.

[@goodstorylover]

Very informative talk for me as a person working in education. The trouble is you need to put a pupil under some label for him to reach the kind of enrichment he (she) needs. I would love to have a solution for this. It is really helpful to get the opinion from the "other side" so to speak. All the best, Caroline.

[@ameliegifford1477]

You give me soo much hope. I'm 16, just got diagnosed with ADHD, and am "gifted" but like burnout :( I'm in my last year of school and I almost don't care anymore :(

[@carolinec1369]

Hey I hope you are doing well! Burnout is very hard to deal with but it doesn't define you at all. It's also normal to be mentally "done" with school in your last year. If you need to reach out, please don't be afraid to do that, but either way you will be okay!

[@hannanatalisa3282]

"Gifted" is a label according to what is considered a priority in education now. Because the priority now is in science and literature, so people who are faster in understanding those subjects are considered gifted. My first son knew how to cook since he was 3 years old. If school valued cooking he would have been considered gifted. But, he struggled in learning how to read, he only started to be able to read by himself when he was 10. Something interesting happened, once he can read he likes to read books and it helped him in his studies. He passed the Elementary School exams on time in grade 6 (11 years old), and he said he really enjoyed learning math in grade 6. Thankfully he isn't labelled with anything, he isn't considered behind either now and just moves on in life normally.

[@777gnom]

As a level 3-4 this was the best thing I could find to develop my self further on

[@pareshpatel4162]

Great information Dr. Pareshkumar H. Patel Assistant Professor Government Arts and Commerce College, Kathlal, Kheda

[@kavita22186]

Disabled does not mean that they fail. There is always a path to succeed

[@dr.rutvishah3100]

very emotional and wonderful talk on various aspects of gifted child's life.

[@legallyrequired]

I always wish my young ADHD self would have decided to focus on becoming amazing at math or science, rather than art and writing. It’s taken a while of dropping out of art school, trying more than several antidepressants, anti anxiety, and mood stabilizing medications, and a global pandemic to make me realize that what I have is enough. So what if I will never make past college or become a brilliant scientist, I can imagine any object or concept and create it. Out of spite for not being good enough I am an artist, and being an artist is good enough for me.

[@johnnynjackcs0n226]

So you make a living for being an artist

[@pizzaboynizzaTV]

What is so damn amazing about the damn prom? I had a girlfriend in my senior year and had no desire to go to prom.

[@sonjak8265]

Nothing wrong with the prom, nothing wrong with not going to the prom.

[@Quinefan]

Did she feel the same?

[@amitapatel2822]

A very good lecture is given by a nicest personality. Thank you so much mam.

[@dr.shuvojitmondal2503]

This video clarified the various intellectual of persons. Nice to watch.

[@jbaby007]

I hope she wasn't too nervous up there. Should've worn a different shirt. Great talk though.

[@ArmanzaSuperNova]

Lol. I feel like the shirt really seals the deal.

[@trustyourself-ashleyching3646]

I like her shirt bc it’s authentic to her!

[@gpl4908]

@@trustyourself-ashleyching3646 yes !

[@dinbandhuprajapati3885]

Very interesting talk on various aspects of gifted children's life.thank you

[@dr.bhartisehta8443]

We need a big heart to accept disability as difference in human personality. Our general classroom does not accept so. (source - personal experience)

[@aubrieross7831]

You are very inspirational. Thank you for this. Truly amazing!

[@dr.sumaiyashaikh6849]

Again an insightful TEDx talk... and about self-analysis..

[@pravinbhaskar5634]

this lecture clarified the various intellectual of persons

[@sushcharpe]

Her own experience is very important in life

[@dr.amalendusamanta]

different sides of gifted child are nicely explained

[@juthikabiswakarma]

Such clear perceptions at such a young age!

[@NoelsTVshow]

Wow the subject is good. Other country only 5 or 6 subjects that's amazing here in the Philippines in. College you took 11 to 12 subject in full first semester till the end

[@vishakhamodi5473]

Thank You...

[@V.PRIYAVADHANA]

Very much motivating talk

[@dr.taniachakraborty]

Great to listen.

[@dipankardas46]

VERY interesting talk on various aspects of gifted children's life.

[@milindnandotriya6598]

Milind M Nandotriya, Assistant Professor, D.K.V. Arts and Science College, Jamnagar, Participant of 6th Online Guru Dakshta- FIP

[@ijayita]

Excellent speech.Thank you.

[@addu_world]

very informative and inspiring talk .Thank you caroline.

[@dr.ankitaleanwala1035]

Thank you for sharing your experience.. Mam

[@melissakayrussell9202]

This was awesome

[@madhushreemukherjee1255]

Motivating talk.Thank you for the session.

[@vishnuhadal2704]

Very Inspiring talk. Thank you.

[@amitnatubhai4344]

Thank You..

[@jk2010kj]

Well highlighted aspects about gifted kids!

[@apurbamandal4102]

Very good session Very inspirative Thank you🙏🙏🙏

[@Rasheens-Story]

I have this problem too it's Sooooooo annoying trying to pay attention with random noises. I don't think I have ADHD though. I prefer working in a quiet setting.

[@trivedimaheshchandra9200]

Thanks

[@Robinicat]

A lot of genius kids have Aspergers.

[@lisamariefamily]

This was excellent and very helpful.

[@manojpandya974]

Very Inspiring talking, Thankyou

[@jigneshkumarlimbachiya8282]

This lecture clarified the various intellectual of persons. From:- Dr. Jignesh Limbachiya

[@falgunigamit2524]

thank you...

[@rajneeshgupta5200]

good presentation on learning of gifted children

[@aartipradhan4387]

Inspiring and motivating talk.

[@roobiyakm3940]

Nice Tok this presentation help us to know the differently abled people and how they make their world

[@aravindlaniya4357]

Very informative session. Thank you so much.

[@dipalpatel6342]

Inspiring speech. Thank you.

[@apotheticallyautistic73]

Thank you for speaking out I need this in australia

[@dr.manishraval4934]

Thank you for this talk

[@Jauhnnyy]

I got a letter from my elementary saying I have a option to go to gifted classes but idk what to do because idk if I want to go to normal classes because my friends are there or gifted because it will give you more opportunities I'm in 6th going to 7th grade

[@beckel3593]

Gifted

[@DipikaPatel-em9ly]

Very inspiring talk. Thank you

[@avinashkudva8592]

Nice TED talk on gifted children

[@MRAJA-di3vl]

wonderful presentation

[@ThembinkosiMenese]

Exceptional ✨✨✨

[@khushbeerdhaliwal3931]

wonderful talk. great session

[@PanGalacticGargoyleBlaster]

Although I thoroughly appreciate the positivity of saying ADHD is a superpower I also have to wholeheartedly disagree. You site your giftedness as actually stemming from passion and drive, but also say it is born from the same place as your ADHD? You are interpreting an effect of your ADHD to be your driven nature but a majority of people with ADHD struggle massively with impulse control and motivation, these are common symptoms. I was also diagnosed extremely late (far too late) but unlike you I had no signs of being gifted in the slightest so I don't even remember my early to middle years of school because I never once was able to concentrate for more than a second. Don't you think you are driven DESPITE, not BECAUSE of your ADHD? I feel perpetuating this "autism is a gift/ADHD is a gift" trend can be harmful because people start to seriously misinterpret the effects these disorders have, it is not a gift to most of us, it is not just because of pure drive and personal choice that you are so incredibly intelligent and I think saying so is discrediting the difficulties these disorders actually have on most people.

[@carolinec1369]

F G that’s valid. I don’t really remember what I said in this talk, but what I probably meant to impart was that there are elements of having ADHD (and autism) that gave me a leg up in school. I don’t think I would have been identified as gifted if I didn’t have ADHD and wasn’t autistic. There are also elements of both that hurt me later on when I burned out. I can’t speak for you, but I personally try not to frame my neurotype in a negative way even when it’s really screwing up my life, because it’s a part of who I am.

[@PanGalacticGargoyleBlaster]

@@carolinec1369 fantastic that you replied to me! I sound a bit bitter looking back but I'll admit that I was just a bit spooked by a couple movies I'd seen. They painted autism as a superpower that had no down sides other than being "weird" or "awkward". As you probably know many people with autism are not high-functioning so I think at times it can be harmful to misrepresent autism as only the high-functioning kind. I do also really think that framing some aspects of your ADHD and autism in a positive light is beneficial to you in the long run and I certainly don't think you should stop :)

[@carolinec1369]

F G Ah I see what you mean. Yeah there seems to be a stereotype of “bad autism” and “good autism” that isn’t really helpful to anyone. People who appear high functioning can have all sorts of problems, and people who appear low functioning can lead rich and happy lives like anyone else. So I can see the frustration with only focusing on the benefits.

[@rupanbaro5849]

Wonderful presentation.

[@shawttikiojha9820]

Informative speech

[@shamprasadvarijaraghu6878]

Thank you for this video.

[@renishghetiya901]

Very nice and interesting session

[@nishantpandya1988]

In this sense, everyone is God gifted but in different ways.

[@dr.dineshpatel6253]

Very inspiring talk Caroline.

[@bhaginapatel4264]

Inspiring speech thank you

[@satishdake308]

What I Learned As An Ex-Gifted Kid is very much useful video. Thanks

[@espdv8ruser952]

perspiration to us all

[@hansabensonara7765]

Very interesting talk, thanks

[@dr.sandeeproysarkar5287]

Thank you for your great work.

[@alkagawas87]

Thank you for informative video.

[@Sanjaysubbaedu]

Awesome video...enjoyed thoroughly.

[@naffix500]

Ex-Gifted but still on TEDx, not too bad.

[@dennismwangi1756]

😂😂😂

[@dr.vrushaliwagh1682]

Very informative and wonderful lecture is given by Mam...Thank you mam.

[@charmiparekh3418]

Informative session...

[@vladtepes7539]

drinking the third bucket of paint was overkill?

[@dr.jitendraagrawal3972]

Nice information Thanks a lot

[@kishorwagh1166]

Great information Thank you so much

[@tarunsen3392]

very impressive talk

[@kavitagalchar1705]

Nice Ted talk - kavita rabari

[@1infinity91]

Most of the teachers hate knowing that a child is smarter than them...

[@harshitkothari4102]

Good talk!!

[@rajarsheegupta591]

Motivating talk. Thanks.

[@dr.vijaypatil848]

Great in spirational talk

[@rakeshmakwana950]

inspiring and informative session...

[@WeallMaharashtra]

Great TEDx Talk