From ADDitude: “An Open Mind Leads to Amazing Opportunities and People Better Than You Imagined. Throughout the college application process, I learned the importance of surrounding myself with people and environments that set me up for success.” Read more here.

Are you a teacher or know someone in education who is interested in improving teaching strategies for gifted education, advanced learning strategies, and high level differentiation?  The Illinois Association for Gifted Children (IAGC) is offering Foundations for Teaching Advanced Learners in Todays Classroom starting January 17, 2024.  PD and SH hours offered.  Here are the details:  https://www.iagcgifted.org/event-5346827 

From ADDitude: "Family Dynamics on ADHD: 5 Rules for Dealing with Relatives’ Judgment. Every holiday season, we face a persistent challenge: how to respond to family members who don’t understand ADHD and yet feel compelled to share their discipline and parenting advice (often loudly). While every family dynamic is unique, here are some general strategies plus scripts for handling a wide range of common problems with obtuse relatives." Read more here.

From ADDitude: “Eradicate The Myth That It’s Those With ADHD Who Need To Change. ADHD misconceptions are not only plentiful, they are enormously threatening to the mental and emotional health of people with ADHD because they cause delayed or missed diagnoses, feelings of shame, and dangerous behaviors. We asked our audience members what myths they would eradicate about ADHD if given the chance." Read more here.

From ADDitude: "Don’t Wait for the Parent-Teacher Conference! 11 Year-Round Cooperation Rules. Your child’s teacher spends five to six hours with him each day. She doesn’t know him like you do, but she sees things you can’t — or won’t. Here’s advice from real parents and teachers who found ways to work together that really benefited everyone." Read more here.

This year, the Illinois Association for Gifted Children and the national group, Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted, are partnering to bring parents in the Chicagoland region a Regional Parent Conference!

CGCC will have an exhibitor booth at the conference and CGCC Board members will be giving a panel presentation, "Walking the Journey of Parenting Bright, Complex Kids."

The keynote speaker will be Jen Merrill, author of If This is a Gift, Can I Send it Back?: Surviving in the Land of the Gifted and Twice Exceptional and the Laughing at Chaos blog.

Early Bird registration will save you $75 on registration prior to September 15, so don't wait! Please see here for more information and to register. We hope to see you there! 

From ADDitude: "Less Handholding, More Independence. Worried about your child making the transition from high school to college? Keep him from drifting into academic free-fall with these tips for planning ahead, choosing courses, and encouraging self-advocacy." Read more here.

Great 5 minute video from Bright & Quirky regarding this topic:

When a Bright Child Resists Learning, with Melanie Hayes

" If your bright child resists the very thought of reading, or learning non-preferred subjects, should you push them anyway? According to Melanie Hayes, EdD, Director of Big Minds Unschool, this pattern is not unusual in bright and quirky kids. Listen as Dr. Hayes shares quick tips on how to proceed in this delicate situation. The answers may surprise you."

From ADDitude: “'Stop Trying to Fix Everything!' Scripts for Reflective Listening. Your teen comes to you with a problem. Do you offer advice, or just validate their feelings? Reflective listening can help you decide. Use these scripts the next time your teen needs an ally." Read more here.

From ADDitude: “The Simulation Exercises That Expand Educators’ Understanding of Neurodivergent Students. Ultimately, a neurotypical person can never truly understand the neurodivergent experience. But without fail, there is always a tangible shift in the room following these exercises.” Read more here.