JULY 2018

IN THIS ISSUE Feature Article: Making the Most of a SENG Conference Director's Corner Understanding Very, Very Smart People Conference Schedule Sponsor Spotlight Reads Parenting the Culturally/Racially Diverse Gifted Child Keeping the Family Balance 100 Words of Wisdom - Amy Harrington Program Calendar National Parenting Gifted Children Week SENGinars

FEATURE ARTICLE

Making the Most of a SENG Conference by Jane Hesslein

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 attended presentations during every session and disappeared with a new book when I needed some quiet time. Visits with vendors, presenters, and volunteers led to long-time friendships of more than twenty years. I came home charged, exhausted, and excited to do it all again in a year.  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. Read More

DIRECTOR'S CORNER Understanding Very, Very Smart People by Samuel Kohlenberg, LPC The following is what I see as the most essential concepts when working therapeutically with gifted patients or clients. Originally published in a blog article that went viral in June, 2017 , the following represents the key concepts that I wish I could communicate to all gifted individuals, to their family members, and to any teachers or therapists with whom they may interact. Being smart can be hard. There may gifted individuals who have an easy time in life; relationships are simple, work and school are a breeze, and they long ago addressed the existentialist questions that some of us might carry with us until the very end. I wish them well, and what follows is not about them. In my practice, I have been able to observe and experience how the world treats young adults with superior intelligence. At times it can be pretty heartbreaking, and these are a few things that I wish I could tell all gifted young adults (as well as the people in their lives). You’re not allowed to talk about it. This is the message that brilliant people receive from the world. Because much of the world sees intelligence as a good thing, talking about it seems braggadocios, which is incredibly problematic. The gifted are outliers, and outliers are often a more difficult fit in many respects because the world is not made for them. You are different enough for it to be potentially problematic, but you are not allowed to acknowledge how you are different because to do so would be self-aggrandizing.  Be more like everyone else, but don’t you dare address how you are different.  Bright people who have internalized this message may go far out of their way not to talk about a fundamental difference that often contributes to difficulties in a number of areas. Read More

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE JULY 20-22 SENG's 35th Annual Conference There's still time to register! Welcome Reception Discussion Groups 8 Sessions Strands 90+ Sessions Themed Lunch & Learns Exhibit Hall Children’s Program 8 “Super Sessions” on Sunday Learn More AUGUST 11 Columbus Mini Conference! PLATINUM SPONSOR This one-day mini-conference will feature keynote speakers and breakout sessions by  Dr. Joy Lawson Davis ,  Dr. Michael Postma ,  Dr. Ed Amend , and many others, plus a special viewing of the film  2e2: Teaching the Exceptional  by Thomas Ropelewski. Learn More

SENG DIEGO SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

SENG thanks its sponsors for their support of #SENGDiego18! Stop by their booths in July!

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

TOTE BAG SPONSOR

CYBER SPACE CHARGING STATION SPONSOR

LANYARD SPONSORS

‌  PROGRAM BOOKLET SPONSOR

READS

Parenting the Culturally/Racially Diverse Gifted Child by Tiombe Bisa Kendrick-Dunn Most parents are excited to learn they have an academically or intellectually gifted child. The average parents of a gifted child often find themselves in a state of bliss, as they are so proud of the human being they, after all, created. As quiet as it’s kept, many parents of gifted children from racially and culturally diverse backgrounds have a much different experience upon learning their child is gifted. Read more

Keeping the Family Balance by Marc A. Caplan When we talk about family dynamics, we are referring to the interactions between individuals in a group who are united by ties of marriage, blood or adoption. So how does giftedness make a difference to families? Does it make a difference? Are families with gifted children and gifted parents any different than any other family? The answer to this question is both yes and no. Read more

100 Words of Wisdom: Amy Harrington by Amy Harrington Parenting gifted children is a unique challenge, which I zealously embrace. We are the noticeably eccentric family wherever we go, and our strong personalities have been known to make people’s head spin. We don’t really go with the flow and my children don’t blend in. Their personalities are overt and they exude their brilliance the way most people breathe. I have one child who lives in his head and one who is guided by his heart. Read more

PROGRAM CALENDAR

National Parenting Gifted Children Week! July 15-21 Does anyone really know what you’re going through as a parent of a gifted child? Parents need special understanding in order to raise and advocate for the social and emotional needs of their gifted children. SENG is proud to sponsor National Parenting Gifted Children (NPGC) Week, which takes place during the 3rd week in July each year, as listed in the National Special Events Registry. NPGC Week celebrates the joys and challenges of raising, guiding, and supporting bright young minds. Every year, SENG draws a special focus to NPGC Week, by opening up our conversation on social media and through our SENGinar content to gifted families.  We want to hear from you ! Join us in making NPGC Week a special event.

MEMBERS GET 20% OFF! Be sure to become a SENG member and get 20% off conferences, programs and more! SIGN UP TODAY!

SENGINARS

Plato Parenting: Uncovering and Nourishing your Child’s Passions with Dr. Devon MacEachron THURSDAY JULY 12, 7:30 PM EDT ONLINE Discovering one’s genuine passions and pursuing them is the key to both success and happiness for every gifted individual. During this SENGinar, Dr. Devon MacEachron will describe the optimal parenting style for nourishing your child’s achievement of their full potential, nature vs. nurture, how involved parents can create high expectations while being sensitive to their child’s unique nature, how to uncover/discover your child’s interest profile, and how to provide enrichment focused on talent development in interest areas. REGISTER NOW! VOICES Let your VOICE be heard! We're seeking the creative work of gifted individuals to feature in future SENGVine issues. To submit, send your work to office@sengifted.org with a quote about your work, the title and media used, website or social media profile, and how your name should be credited.

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