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Dear Friends,
Summer is here - which means that SENG's Annual Conference is coming closer and closer! If you have attended a SENG Conference before, you know what a truly incredible experience it is. If you have not - you will not want to miss out.
Every day, SENG receives phone calls and emails from people in the gifted community who are in deep need of connection; people who are desperate for their children to find friendships and peers; people who just want to find one person who will understand. The SENG Conference is the place where those needs can be met and those connections can be made.
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| "The first time I walked into a SENG conference, I was blindsided...I realized that this might be the sensation of community the majority of the human species feels, an affinity with a population of like-kind." -Pamela S. Ryan |
In addition to connecting with the gifted community, you will be able to attend classes, presentations, and keynote sessions, where a wealth of information about giftedness will be shared.
Hundreds of attendees have told us how learning so much in one weekend changed their lives. Between the friendships you will make and the knowledge you will come away with... the SENG Conference experience is truly one-of-a-kind.
Dr. Michael Postma
Interim Executive Director of SENG
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5 Tips for Helping Gifted Children Make Friends
by Colleen Kessler
Making friends can be hard for any child, but for socially awkward gifted children or twice-exceptional kiddos, the challenge is only multiplied. While their brains are working on overdrive, and they can have an intelligent conversation with an adult expert in the field in which they are interested, put them in the same room with kids their own age, and all bets are off. And, because they often develop asynchronously, gifted children may lag behind emotionally.
Let's face it, fitting in and building relationships is tough. It's hard for all of us. We fear rejection, want to be liked, and long for acceptance. We want to find our people. But, when they're not interested in the same games as their age peers, or seem to know everything and want to talk all the time, it can be overwhelming for gifted children that just want to fit in
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More...
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The SENG Conference
by Edward R. Amend
SENG has been many places over the years, from its roots at Wright State University, through its time at Kent State University, to its current independent nonprofit status. In that time, SENG Conferences have crossed America.
As I began reflecting on my involvement with SENG, I realized that I have been involved in some capacity for most of my adult life - from when I was a graduate student with little more than the personal experience of growing up gifted (and not really knowing what that meant) up to today, now that I am a clinical psychologist who regularly presents on topics related to giftedness. Along the way, I have attended many conferences, met many fascinating children and their families, and learned a lot.
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On Companionship
by Tracy Riley
When I was in junior high school, I recall being given a test in the guidance counsellor's office over the summer holidays. Years later, when I studied education at University, I came to realise that I was in a gifted program - with one of my best friends, Denise.
F
ast forward almost 40 years and Denise and I live in different countries, but we are both mothers, teachers with advanced degrees and share a common interest (at the moment) in Monarch butterflies!
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SMPGs: The Heart of SENG
by the SENG Board of Directors
In many ways, by encouraging authentic dialogue among caregivers, SMPGs promote harmony and are a model of the continued evolution SENG would like to see occur both in classrooms and society.
Last year, SENG engaged in a comprehensive evaluation of the SMPG program. We collected quantitative and qualitative data from active SMPG facilitators and recent participants via both surveys and interviews. The anonymous surveys encouraged honest, unfiltered responses and attempted to prevent positive self impression response distortion. Here are a few highlights of what we learned.
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Promoting Positive Social Development
by Linda Kreger Silverman
It has been apparent ever since gifted children were first studied that they tend to select friends who are their mental age rather than their chronological age. Roedell (1985) found that gifted children develop social skills more easily when they have the opportunity to interact with true peers.
With true peers, gifted children can be themselves, laugh at the same jokes, play games at the same level, share the depth of their sensitivity and develop more complex values. There is more opportunity for give and take in relationships on an equal basis. And through interaction with others with similar capabilities, they quickly learn that they cannot be the best at everything or always have their own way.
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Best source of support for day-to-day issues? Other parents of gifted children!
by Molly Isaacs-McLeod
A cornerstone of the SMPG program is the idea that parents of gifted children are often the best support and resource for parents of gifted children. It is a simple idea with a lot of power. While each child and every family is unique, there are common themes that play out in many families raising gifted children. Families encounter issues related to intensity, depression, underachievement, perfectionism, etc. Many gifted families struggle with interaction with extended family, and sometimes with longtime friends. It is with these issues that other parents are uniquely equipped to offer support.
More...
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Voices - The Painter
by Shannon Magura
Painter Gustave Pissaro's job was to paint each and every child's face that was born. Meaning, he designed their actual face! From the inside of the head, he would grab his special paint brush, and personally design every single feature on that person's face. From the tiniest freckle, to the most detailed nose, it was all his work of art! More...
This month's Voices piece is a short work of fiction by a middle school student. The author, Shannon Magura, is going to be a 7th grade student at Heinemann Middle School in Algonquin, IL this fall. She enjoys reading, writing, playing basketball, and hanging out with her friends. Her inspiration for this story came from a friend of hers in grade school.
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 feature article Before Referring a Gifted Child for ADD/ADHD Evaluation
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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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:
July 13th
Social and Emotional Development of 2e Students:
What does the Research Say?
with Megan Foley-Nicpon
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July 20th
Relinquishing Dreams: A Classic Grounded Theory Study of Gifted Adults
with Dr. Nicole D. Dietrich
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July 27th
Raising Healthy Gifted Children: Balancing Self-Regulation
with Dr. Richard M. Cash
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August 24th
Loving with Intensity: Gifted Couples
with Sharon Barnes
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September 14th
How to Set Expectations that Work
with Joanne Foster
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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 this exceptional event.
Chicago Marriott Naperville
Thursday August 3, 2017 Pre-Conference
August 4-6, 2017 Conference
Conference Activities Include:
- Continuing Education Sessions
- SMPG Facilitator Training
- Welcome Reception and Cocktail Party
- 6 Keynote Presentations and 80+ General Sessions
- Voices Live! New in 2017
- Children's Enrichment Program (Ages 6-14) -- including field trip to Chicago Field Museum of Natural History!
- Children's Program Welcome Reception
- Discussion Groups
- Sponsors and Exhibitors
- The SENG Sanctuary - a quiet space for conference participants to relax and recharge
- Much more!
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Minnesota Gifted Adults and Friends Group
Attend the first meeting of this new group on Saturday, July 22, 3-5 pm!
Guest speakers include Stuart Dansinger, Ed.S., on developmental characteristics and challenges
of gifted adults, and Terry Friedrichs, Ph. D., Ed.D., on joys and difficulties of these adults' returning to school.
Location:
Full Meeting Room, Floor 2
Southdale Library
7001 York Ave. S.
Edina, MN
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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
- Europeans
Look out for more announcements about SENG Connect at our August Conference.
Coming Fall 2017!
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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
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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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