Jan 14
Tracy talks about giftedness and ADHD in this podcast. Learn what the term 2E or Twice Exceptional refers to and that just because you’re gifted in one or more areas (for example mathematically or artistically) doesn’t mean that you might not also be challenged in other areas (you may learn differently or have an emotional or social delay). And did you know that you can be gifted and have ADHD? Do you know that there is no one definition of giftedness? In fact, all states have a different definition.
Tracy shares three layer cake definitions of giftedness: You’ll learn about asynchronous development You’ll learn about perfectionism and how harmful it can be You’ll learn about the five areas where children can exhibit intense behaviors known as overexcitabilities or supersensitivities. Tracy outlines the overexcitabilities and shares that she never thought her son was gifted but is now wondering because he exhibits many traits in all five of these areas. Tracy also assumed that you can’t be gifted if you struggle in school. Then she discovered AEGUS, Find out what else gifted people need to succeed and how giftedness and ADHD can look identical. Tracy talks about her concern that perhaps we’re medicating bright children so that they can fit into the school environment when really these kids may just be unchallenged. She worries that it’s the smart capable kids that fall through the cracks in our educational system because when they don’t perform, teachers and parents automatically think it’s because they’re lazy. Have you ever wondered what it even means to be smart? Learn about Could it be that ADHD is connected to specific intelligences? Tracy then talks about what questions experts ask if they are working with a bright child who isn’t applying themself and what she’s planning to bring into her son’s school to aid in his learning.
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"Maybe ADHD is connected to specific intelligences."
- Tracy Otsuka
"What Marcus has often said to us is that is the last thing I need is more time, he blows through everything. What Marcus needs is really to slow down."
- Tracy Otsuka
"I come down to or come out to Okay, what do I do? Like, what do I do with a son like Marcus, I'm going to give you some ideas, a lot of them I got from Susan Baum."
- Tracy Otsuka
- Tracy discusses five areas of intense behaviors in gifted children, including high energy levels and constant movement.
- Tracy discusses four types of over excitability in children: psychomotor, sensual, emotional, and intellectual.
- Tracy identifies her son's overexcite abilities, including vivid imagination and love of learning.
[08:44 - 20:37] ADHD, Intelligence, and Learning Strategies
- Tracy shares her thoughts on ADHD medication, emphasizing the importance of addressing underlying issues such as stress and self-concept rather than relying solely on medication.
- John Ratey, a neuroscientist and author, agrees that medication can be effective but stresses the long-term damage caused by stress and negative self-concept, which he believes is worse than any potential side effects of medication.
- Tracy questions whether traditional schools are adequately equipped to handle bright students with ADHD, citing her personal experience with her son.
[20:37 - 32:29] ADHD, Intelligence, and Creativity in a Child
- Tracy shares insights on how a teacher revamped the curriculum to engage boys, including a documentary series on social and political justice, which has positively affected student participation and conversations.
- Tracy suggests incorporating jump ropes in school to help students with ADHD improve focus and learning, and plans to report back on the effectiveness of this approach.
- Tracy discusses ADHD and intelligence, arguing that people with ADHD are often brilliant in various areas of life despite not always excelling in school.
