Social-Emotional Wellness

Giftedness stretches far beyond cognitive or academic ability. Gifted individuals tend to have specific and intense psychological, emotional, and social needs that need to be attended to in order to live full and well lives.

Helpful Books 
  • Daniels, S. & Piechowski, M. (Editors) (2008. Living With Intensity: Understanding the Sensitivity, Excitability, and the Emotional Development of Gifted Children, Adolescents, and Adults, Great Potential Press. ​Information about and suggestions on typical intensities experienced by gifted individuals.
  • Fonseca, C. (2011). 101 Success Secrets for Gifted Kids, Sourcebooks, Inc. A must-read for gifted kids ages 8 to 12 who want to find success in school and life. If you know gifted kids, they will love the 101 awesome secrets, tips, and tricks included in this book!
  • Fonseca, C. (2015). Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students: Helping Kids Cope with Explosive Feelings, Sourcebooks, Inc. Help parents and teachers to understand why gifted children are so extreme in their behavior, and suggests specific strategies to teach gifted children how to live with their intensity.
  • Hennenfent, M. (2007). Learning to be a Durable Person, Prufrock Press.
    This curriculum is designed to help gifted children explore their own giftedness, expand social skills, cultivate leadership skills, and develop strategies for combating stress, anger, and perfectionism. Gifted children must be taught to be durable so they can continue to be responsible and productive citizens.
  • Rivero, L. (2010). Smart Teen's Guide to Living with Intensity, Great Potential Press. Teen friendly language that helps understand intensity, manage perfectionism and self-talk, understand parents better, and take charge of their education, whether you go to public school, private school, or homeschool.
  • VanTassel-Baska, J., Cross, T, Olenchak, F.R. (2008). Social-Emotional Curriculum with Gifted and Talented Students (Critical Issues in Gifted Education), Prufrock Press. Provides a thorough introduction to methods for developing social-emotional curricula for use with gifted and talented learners in the school setting.
  • Webb, J. & Amend, E. (2005). Misdiagnosis & Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children and Adults, Great Potential Press.: Addresses common psycho-social traits of gifted individuals that can frequently be misunderstood and therefore inappropriately diagnosed and addressed.  This book is particularly helpful as a resource to therapists, physicians and other professionals, as well as parents and other family members.
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