What Our Parents Need to Know (2023)

From the book -

Why We Wrote This Book

As lifelong educators, Val and Adam have worked with thousands of children and families over the years. Val has worked in multiple schools teaching gifted children from multiple backgrounds and at different ages. Adam has taught in multiple schools and has also served as a district-level manager for gifted services in a large and diverse school district. As a parent of a radically accelerated, profoundly gifted daughter and a profoundly gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) son, Lin knows the parenting journey of complex outliers.

In addition, Lin is the Dean of Students and Communications at Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education (BGS), with a Ph.D. in Human Development Psychology from Boston University, an Academic Graduate Certificate in Twice-exceptional Education from BGS, and an Academic Graduate Certificate in Mind, Brain and Education from Johns Hopkins University.

Fortunately, most children do just fine in our schools and continue to grow up to be successful adults. That said, we know many children struggle in our educational system. If you are a parent of a child that is struggling, you know it can be heartbreaking for children and their families.

There are many reasons that result in students not thriving in school. Every child and person is unique. Some children have learning disabilities, some have difficult home lives, some have a hard time socializing, some have unique sensory, social, emotional, and/or physical needs, etc. This book was written for those parents who have children having a difficult time in school because of his or her unique learning needs as the result of dynamic interactions between discrepancies in area/s of high and low (absolute or relative) abilities. (Or in other words, their child is very bright in some areas, but has struggles in others.) Though the number of students who are formally identified educationally to fit into this category makes up a small percentage of our population, finding ways to support them tends to be quite challenging. In addition, some would also argue that many children unofficially fit into this category.

This book is meant to explain the complexities of 2e children in accessible ways and provide strategies to support them in their learning journey. We hope this also empowers parents to use the contents in this book to increase public awareness and understanding of 2e children. It takes a whole community to raise a child, and you are not alone.

This book will provide strategies that help the adults support the children in their lives. It is meant to be a useful, easy-to-access resource for parents, as well as educators, based on the research and strategies three veteran gifted educators have used to support all kinds of children, including twice-exceptional, over their careers.

This book is written from a collaboration of educator and parental voices, so parents understand what goes on in the classroom. This understanding empowers parents to make informed intentional choices to holistically support gifted and struggling children.

About the Authors 

Adam C Laningham, author of Gifted Children & How Trauma Impacts Them, and Thinkology 2.0, has over 20 years of experience in the field of education. Adam was recognized as the Arizona Gifted Teacher of the Year, he has taught at several schools in multiple grade levels, created and facilitated numerous gifted programs, and also served as a district gifted services manager coordinating programs for over 6000 gifted students.

Adam has served on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Association for Gifted & Talented for many years and is currently the President Elect of SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted). As founder and owner of Bright Child AZ, Adam is an international speaker, consultant, and gifted advocate.

Dr. Lin Lim is the Dean of Students and Communications at Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education (BGS). She holds a doctorate in psychology from Boston University, an Academic Graduate Certificate in Mind, Brain, and Education (Johns Hopkins University), and an Academic Graduate Certificate in 2e Education (BGS). Her current interests include interdisciplinary embodied complex dynamic systems thinking and practical applications around positive parenting, education, school-workplace transitions, and human development. She founded Quark Collaboration Institute, a non-profit that focuses on human dignity and wellbeing across the lifespan for all. She serves on the boards of several gifted-related non-profits - Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG), National Association for Gifted Children Parent Editorial Content and Advisory Board,  Gifted Homeschoolers Forum (GHF), Gifted Education Family Network, and PGRetreat.org.

Val Wilson holds a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, along with several certifications and endorsements in gifted learners, elementary education, adult education, reading, ELA, ESL, and math.  Val has been teaching for over three decades, and currently works as a gifted specialist and coach for a Title I School. She is also a Multi-Tiered System of Support Coordinator and a Professional Learning Community Facilitator for Science and Social Studies at her school. Val has also taught instructional techniques for various learners at the college and professional development level over the past seven years, both on-line and in person. 

In her spare time, Val is the appointed Public Art Commissioner of the City of Youngtown AZ, who recruits and supports local gifted artists.  She is also CEO of Veldazio Rudolpho, her artwork design label and company.