Different Minds: Gifted Children With Ad/Hd, Asperger Syndrome, and Other Learning Deficits [Paperback]

Deirdre V. Lovecky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 2003 | ISBN-10: 1853029645 | ISBN-13: 978-1853029646 | Edition: 1

Recognizing the different levels and kinds of giftedness, this book provides an insight into the challenges and benefits specific to gifted children with attention difficulties. Explaining why certain children are gifted and how giftedness is manifested, each chapter on a specific topic addresses the relevance for children with AD/HD, autism and Asperger Syndrome. Lovecky guides parents and professionals through methods of diagnosis and advises on how best to nurture individual needs, positive behavior and relationships at home and at school.

Editorial Reviews

Review

' This is a well-structured book. There are nine chapters; the first gives an overview of gifted children and theories of giftedness. The next two chaoters provide a general description off AD/HD and Asperger before going on to give detailed information on gifted children with these conditions. The following chapters look at cognitive aspects and learning styles, creativity, emotional intelligence, social cognition and moral development. The final chapters discuss issues around assessment and highlight the resources available. The author also includes useful appendices on diagnostic criteria.' --- Community Practitioner

'In addition to case studies and research findings, Different Minds offers practical strategies and ways in which young people can be supported, both to develop their intellectual abilities and to help them feel accepted in society... This is an absorbing read crammed with observation and detail. Did you know, for instance, that difficulties with social interaction increase in line with IQ? Children with higher IQ's (180-plus) find their age peers "a mystery, because they're so different in interests, speed of learning, ability to understand complex material and desire to learn."...Different minds is a valuable addition to the information already available in this field.' --- Children Now

About the Author

Deirdre V. Lovecky, MA, PhD, is a clinical child psychologist at the Gifted Resource Center of New England, specializing in the needs of gifted children, adolescents and their families. She is a qualified psychotherapist and consultant, speaks at conferences and presents workshops for parents and teachers. She has had many articles published in academic journals and regularly writes on the topic of giftedness.

Product Details

• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Pub; 1 edition (November 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1853029645
• ISBN-13: 978-1853029646
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 1.3 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #101,580 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #42 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Children's Health > Learning Disorders

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 68 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Must-own and must-read, for parents, teachers, professionals April 24, 2004

By Carolyn K.

Format:Paperback

Different Minds: Gifted Children with AD/HD, Asperger Syndrome, and Other Learning Deficits. Twice Exceptional children, those who are both gifted and learning disabled, are often overlooked by all sides of education. Their achievement is often not low enough to be considered special needs, nor high enough to be included in gifted education. But these children are far from average, and they need particular attention to all of their unique attributes.

Deidre Lovecky is considered one of the foremost experts in twice exceptional children. This long-awaited book is a summary of many years of clinical experience and observation, and should in the hands of every parent, teacher, and professional working with this unique population.

Different Minds starts with definitions and differences: gifted, AD/HD, Asperger syndrome, and other learning deficits commonly (and not so commonly) diagnosed in the same children. Diagnosis of dual exceptionalities can be difficult, and Lovecky cuts through the overlapping characteristics, with references to DSM-IV criteria. Through case studies, discussion and suggestions, Lovecky offers years of experience and wisdom on how to best nurture these children at home and at school.

Different Minds includes chapters on gifted, AD/HD, Asperger Syndrome, cognitive issues, creativity, emotional aspects, social cognition and relationships, moral development, assessment, and resources for parents, teachers and professionals.

Different Minds should be required reading for everyone dealing with twice exceptional gifted children.

52 of 55 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Book for parents of "twice exceptional" children April 12, 2004

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I am the mother of a six year old boy who is highly gifted but also has sensory integration dysfunction, ADHD, and many Asperger's traits. I have read numerous materials on giftedness and learning disabilities, but this book, along with "Uniquely Gifted" compiled by Kiesa Kay and also sold on amazon.com, has been the most helpful to me in understanding my son's unique learning and behavioral profile. Lovecky has extensive experience in evaluating twice exceptional children, and relates with specificity many case examples and provides concrete suggestions for helping these children. If you have a child like this, buy a copy for yourself, your child's teacher, the principal of your child's school, and any specialists that treat your child.

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars So much information, so little space September 11, 2005

By B. Fleisher

Format:Paperback

If you modified Dr. Lovecky's "Different Minds" to carry the normal amount of information per page as is found on average in books of this genre, it would weigh at least a 100 lbs. As a parent and a professional, I have found Dr. Lovecky's book to be the one I turn to time and again to explain the compexities of twice-exceptional children. Her clear understanding of how different "alphabet soup" issues interact is priceless. Dr. Lovecky offers sound, practical adivice for bringing out the best in almost any child. As a fairly high-level trade book with an abundance of complex material, the text is sometimes slow going. But it is worth the effort! I would recommend this book to parents who already have a basic knowledge of the subject matter. I would make it mandatory reading for all school personnel who place or interact with the children Dr. Lovecky describes. For those who need to start with more basic material, I would highly recommend Tictionary by Becky Ottinger. Although the use of the word Tic implies it is about Tourette's Syndrome, it actually presents a clear explanation of most things related to TS, ADHD, Aspergers, Autism, OCD and more. The Appendix of Ottinger's book is a gold mine.