July  2017
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Dear Friends,
 
It's official -- we are less than a week away from SENG's 34th Annual Conference! We're looking forward to seeing many of you there. There is a truly spectacular lineup of speakers and events for this year's Conference, and we hope you enjoy this time to reconnect with old friends, make some new ones, and learn from professionals in the field of giftedness. 

"I love going to the SENG conference because it connects parents, kids, and gifted professionals in a relaxed setting where we can get to know each other. Every family seeking kindred spirits finds them at SENG. I can't overstate how valuable it is." --Heidi Molbak

If you haven't yet registered for our conference online - 
REGISTER NOW! 

Additionally, we would like to thank everyone who celebrated National Parenting Gifted Children Week with us, the week of July 16-22. Parents are the advocates and superheroes of the gifted community, and we cannot appreciate them enough! 

In gratitude, 


Dr. Michael Postma
Interim Executive Director of SENG


Building Relationships with your Child: Learning to LAUGH Together
by Vidisha Patel

So many times in my practice I am asked the same questions: What is so different about gifted children? Why do they need special treatment? Aren't there certain life skills that everyone needs to master?

It is not so much that gifted children need special treatment as they need specialized treatment. All children deserve to be respected and understood for where they are developmentally and emotionally. Gifted children are no different in that regard. I find that many parents become frustrated by the behaviors of their gifted children, and they struggle with how to parent them on a daily basis. The parenting struggles frequently get in the way of providing unconditional love and supporting their children's social and emotional needs. In the effort to maintain a certain level of accord in the home and manage the behaviors of their children, parents lose sight of their children as individuals.    More...
Fostering Giftedness, Literally
by Kathleen Casper

I met a little boy once who stole my heart with his sparkly eyes and giant, dimply grin. He reached out and took hold of my fingers in the middle of a dimly lit bowling alley, then, shaking my hand with the confidence of a business man, he introduced himself formally.

"It's nice to meet you," I replied, grinning at the four foot tall child in his under-armor shirt and blue jeans.  At that second, I completely understood the Renee Zellweger line from the movie Jerry Maguire: this guy already "had me at hello."   More...
Tips for Parents of Intense Children
by Sharon Lind

Living with emotionally intense children and partners can be turbulent, exciting, challenging, and joyful. Emotionally intense individuals are often accused of "overreacting." 

Their compassion and concern for others, their focus on relationships, as well as the intensity of their feelings may interfere with every day tasks.  It is often quite difficult and demanding to work and live with intense individuals.  Finding strategies for helping children (and adults) deal with and take advantage of these innate and enduring characteristics may seem difficult.  More...
Gifted Parenting, An Interview with Vidisha Patel
by Lisa Van Gemert

Lisa Van Gemert: To what extent are giftedness and behavior connected?

Dr. Vidisha Patel: Gifted kids come in such a wide range, and their behaviors are equally wide ranging. I don't know that there's an exact correlation between the two. Some highly and profoundly gifted children are perfectionists, and that carries over to their behavior. On the other hand, some gifted children are twice exceptional, and their social skills are not something they are able to manage without outside assistance.  More...
Creative Development and Twice Exceptional: Where Art Thou?
by Richard Olenchak, Ph.D.

Recently I agreed to consult in the process of formulating a revised Individualized Education Program (IEP) for a fourth-grader at a sizable elementary school serving a middle class neighborhood. 

Having worked as a volunteer reading tutor with several students at the school, I had come to know Tasha very well; the school had thought my insight might be beneficial in developing her educational program. Whether or not my contributions to that process were useful, the experience served as a reminder to me that schools - at least this one - continue to be driven by an operational philosophy of "find it and fix it."  More...
Making the Most of a SENG Conference
by Jane Hesslein

It seems like a good time to think about how to get the most out of the experience.

I've written before about how my own SENG conference attendance was "summer camp for Mom" when my children were younger. I actually came without them and had a great time, indulging my curiosity about all things related to the social-emotional needs of the gifted.  I told myself it was all about my children before realizing that it was also all about my husband (my "longitudinal study"). Eventually, I came to accept that I was learning much about myself.  More...


Voices: Am I The Only One... 
by Steph Schares

Am I the Only One...
Who feels like I walk in all worlds, but belong to none
Standing in the shadow of the mountain, dreaming of the  peak,
Of belonging, everywhere the eye can see
Struggling to make my way up the mountain, pushing and shoving
to the top,
sliding and grasping,
arriving at the summit, exhilarated and exhausted, to find
Myself.
Triumphant.
Superior.
Alone.

just as I was when I was at the bottom, looking up, standing in the shadow of the peak.

About the Author: Steph Schares is an ELP teacher at Ames Middle School. She wrote the above poem as part of an assignment for SMPG Facilitator Trainer Arlene DeVries, regarding the social and emotional needs of the gifted learner. Ms. Schares commented that this poem  " attempts to address  how we spin through cycles of acquaintanceship that lack depth and intimacy, involved in many activities and friendly with almost everyone, but able turn off, be ourselves, and truly belong with (often) no one."

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: office@sengifted.org.


Post of the Month 

Every day, SENG shares articles and information with the gifted community via Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr. 

Check out our Tumblr post  #Introvert Problems And peruse the rest of our Tumblr blog! 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. 


Mark the Date

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: 
UPCOMING SENGINARS: 

August 24th
Loving with Intensity:  Gifted Couples
with Sharon Barnes
September 7th
Creative Development and the Twice Exceptional: Where Art Thou?
with F. Richard Olenchak

September 14th
How to Set Expectations that Work
with Joanne Foster
____________________________________________________

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 this exceptional event. 


Chicago Marriott Naperville
Thursday August 3, 2017 Pre-Conference
August 4-6, 2017  Conference

Conference Activities Include: 

Coming Soon: SENG Connect

Members of the gifted community -- parents, individuals, students, and more -- often feel so isolated in their experiences. This is an almost universal truth.  Gifted individuals of all ages need support, understanding, and connection with others. 

Introducing  SENG Connect:  where we unite the gifted community in a whole new way! 

SENG Connect's online support groups will bring together individuals from all across the globe, to provide emotional support and advice for one another. In this safe space, you can meet others like you. Share personal experiences. Learn more about yourself. Find kinship through SENG. 

Categories of our upcoming SENG Connect groups include: 
  • Teens & Young Adults 
  • Homeschoolers
  • Gifted Parenting
  • 2E Parenting
  • Being Gifted in Europe

Look out for more announcements about SENG Connect at our August Conference. 

 

Coming Fall 2017!



In Gratitude...

SENG's 34th Annual Conference, In Our Hands: Creating New Possibilities, would not be possible without the help of our sponsors and partners. Please join us in thanking them, and take a minute to check out the innovative work they are initiating within their organizations and facilitating with others. 

Platinum Sponsor


Gold Sponsors




Laurel Springs School



 


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.


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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