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Dear Friends,
Wishing everyone in our community a happy spring! 2017 is flying by. We are looking forward to seeing many of you at our annual conference this coming August. Check the Mark the Date section of this newsletter to register for conference, and to find out about other upcoming SENG events.
Additionally - we are reaching the end of our week-long Spring Forward With SENG! fundraising campaign. All donations that we receive during this campaign will be dedicated to programming for gifted individuals ages 16-24. Please, join us in supporting gifted, highly sensitive teens and young adults on their difficult journeys to adulthood.
As always: thank you for your support. You make SENG's mission a reality.
In gratitude,
Elizabeth A. Ringlee
Executive Director of SENG
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The Gift of Emotional Overexcitabilities
by Regina Hellinger
How can the gifts of our gifted be given to the world if they are being suppressed and beaten back as if they were formidable enemies?
The gift of a child with an emotional overexcitability is pushed down with shame for not fitting in with society and not being "tough enough" to deal with things that others are able to easily brush off. Often fixing the problem turns into bottling up the experience and numbing the self through disconnection. So what happens now?
More...
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Fostering Adult Giftedness: Acknowledging and Addressing Affective Needs of Gifted Adults
by Sharon Lind
It's something I've noticed in my discussions with other parents - while many of them accept their child's giftedness and associated traits, they seem to be in "denial" about their own giftedness, or at varying stages of dealing with it.
Frequently parents and teachers express concerns about fostering growth in gifted children while dealing with the often painful process of coming to terms with their own giftedness and potential. It is difficult - a sort of developmental double-whammy - to go through your own developmental phases while at the same time teaching, guiding, and/or parenting gifted children.
More...
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Social Justice and the Gifted Child
by Joy Lawson Davis
As a tenth grader in high school, I led a walkout. Because I believe I was born to speak out, I easily found myself (at the age of 14) to be a vocal advocate for positive change in the district. Deep in my spirit, even as a youngster, I felt the drive and the need to help and to serve others. My gift with language positioned me to speak up when others felt less capable. My social instincts and courage compelled me to stand up when others were afraid to.
More...
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Fire Chasers - Intensities to the Extreme
by Kathleen Casper, J.D.
Perhaps there is yet one other distinct OE.... the overexcitability of being intense about life itself- the intensity of being overexcited about everything. Those who are overexcitable within (and about) all of the intensity areas- in other words, those of us who have multiple intensities which causes a different kind of reaction to the world than single or double or even triple intensities - the kind of personality or driving force that pushes a person to experience everything to the highest degree possible. The thrill seekers, the boundary testers, the ones who chase passions and ideas until they drop with exhaustion.
More...
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Voices - "We Should Climb This Mountain Together"
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I was packed days ago.
I am always prepared.
You are horizontal
Unlike the steep slopes ahead.
They say climbing mountains isn't easy.
You are not signing up for gentle
drumlins.
Some people are well-equipped.
Strong candidates will negotiate
The jaggy paths no bother.
The weaker sorts will lag behind.
Society artificially aids them through
extra
energy bars
But still they cannot keep up.
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People seem to work well in twos.
When you walk side by side
You pick up the pace
But will you let me lean on you
When I can no longer skip to your tune?
I am out of step with most of society.
I am going to need space to walk alone
sometimes
Burdened by the load that I have always
carried.
To the others up ahead
I will yell, 'What is it like up there?'
And they will say what they see
But it might feel different
For you and for me.
Just two.
Carving our own way.
No map is drawn yet
But here is the back
You are looking to catch for now.
Last one to the top buys the first round.
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SENGVine's "Voices" column seeks to share creative works reflecting the gifted experience. Art, poetry, essays, articles, and stories are accepted from gifted individuals of all ages. Submit yours to:
[email protected].
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Post of the Month
Every day, SENG shares articles and information with the gifted community via Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr.
The article Overexcitability and the Gifted
by
Sharon Lind
was widely read and appreciated in our online community this month.
Visit us on Tumblr!
Tumblr is a valuable and vibrant online community, where many teens and young adults find solace if they feel "different" from the rest of the world... whether it is because of their interests, their identities, their disabilities, or their gifts.
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SENG is pleased to announce that our associate Noks Nauta was recently honored with a royal decoration.
She is now a Knight in the Order of Orange Nassau.
O
n March 11, Ms. Nauta was at a symposium
celebrating her 15 years of research on giftedness in adults in the Netherlands. Little did she know that the deputy-mayor of Amsterdam was in attendance, and would soon honor her before the audience. The deputy-mayor gave a speech before presenting Ms. Nauta with her badge of the Order of Orange Nassau.
Many congratulations to Noks Nauta! SENG was delighted to recommend her for this honor and we are happy to see her and her work recognized in this way.
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Mark the Date
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Film Screening - 2e: Twice Exceptional in Silver Spring, Maryland
Date: Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Silver Spring Civic Ctr
8525 Fenton,
Silver Spring, MD
This film follows the personal journeys of a group of high school students in Los Angeles who have been identified as twice exceptional (gifted with learning disabilities or differences).
This is not your typical screening event. For your $8.50 ticket price you will:
- Mingle with like-minded parents, professionals and educators
- Meet exhibitors (schools and professionals) working with this profile
- Receive a FREE giveaway bag filled with resources
- Enter a FREE raffle for products and services
- Hear Julie Skolnick, Founder of With Understanding Comes Calm, give a short talk about "The True Meaning of Giftedness and Twice Exceptionality"
- and of course - SEE THIS EXTRAORDINARY FILM
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SENGinars
are online presentations on giftedness, hosted by many of the top experts in the gifted field.
Recordings of our past SENGinars are now available for purchase!
Check out recordings for some of these popular SENGinars:
SENGinar presentations featuring
Joanne Foster
and
Christine Turo-Shields
will be arriving in the coming months! Visit us at sengifted.org to find all the latest information.
Registration for these upcoming events will be available soon!
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SENG conferences prioritize recognition, understanding, and acceptance of the social and emotional needs of the gifted population. At conference, SENG provides a wholly original forum to empower, support, and connect gifted individuals as well as teachers, parents, and counselors. Join us in Chicago for an exceptional event!
Chicago Marriott Naperville
Thursday August 3, 2017 Pre-Conference
August 4-6, 2017 Conference
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Coming Soon - SENG Connect
Gifted individuals of all ages need a community of understanding.
Introducing
SENG Connect:
in the coming year, SENG will be forming support groups for gifted teens, young adults, adults, and elders. Meet other people like you. Come together and share personal experiences. Find kinship and support through the incredible members of the SENG community.
SENG Connect will offer interactive discussions among the adults of our community - those who are so in need of understanding and advice. More information coming soon!
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We would like to recognize our members for all they contribute to our community. Their annual membership funds directly contribute to improving the lives of gifted individuals, and we appreciate each and every one of them. It is through our combined effort that we all can make a difference. Changing lives, changing futures!
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Become a Member of SENG!
Join us in our mission to support gifted individuals of all ages and all walks of life. Whether you're new to SENG or a long-time supporter, we welcome your membership!
Memberships are good for one year from the date you join. If you have not renewed your membership recently, please do!
Your annual membership funds accelerate SENG's efforts to improve the lives of gifted individuals.
Choose the level of membership that is right for you. Learn more
here.
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About SENG
SENG is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) entity with a diverse Board of Directors. Our mission is to empower families and communities to guide gifted and talented individuals to reach their potential: intellectually, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
With the goal of further expanding its activities and reaching more people, SENG is constantly developing new strategies to assist and enlighten members of this unique community.
SENG accepts contributions of all sizes from individuals and organizations. Please join us in our work to increase understanding, knowledge, and services for gifted children, individuals and adults.
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