Misdiagnosis And Dual Diagnoses Of Gifted Children And Adults: Adhd, Bipolar, Ocd, Asperger's, Depression, And Other Disorders (Hardcover)

by James T. Webb (Author), Edward R. Amend (Author), Nadia E. Webb (Author), Edward R. Amend (Author), Nadia E. Webb (Author), Jean Goerss (Author), Paul Beljan (Author), F. Richard Olenchak (Author) "If one is to ascertain whether behaviors are due to a disorder or whether they are part of the condition we call giftedness, it is..." (more)
Key Phrases: psychomotor overexcitability, gifted adults, many gifted children, Asperger's Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, American Psychiatric Association (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"The authors start by saying this book describes a modern tragedy. Nothing could be more accurate." -- Pep Talk, Spring, 2005

"a book that parents of gifted children, educators, psychologists and physicians need to read." -- Outlook Magazine, Minnesota Council for the Gifted and Talented

"the kind of diagnostic thinking that represents the best ethical and professional functioning in our field...required reading" -- The National Psychologist, January/February 2005

Product Description
Our brightest, most creative children and adults are often being misdiagnosed with behavioral and emotional disorders such as ADHD, Oppositional-Defiant Disorder, Bipolar, OCD, or Asperger’s. Many receive unneeded medication and inappropriate counseling as a result.

Physicians, psychologist, and counselors are unaware of characteristics of gifted children and adults that mimic pathological diagnoses. Six nationally prominent health care professionals describe ways parents and professionals can distinguish between gifted behaviors and pathological behaviors.

Features include a Foreword by Ronald E. Fox, Psy.D., Ph.D., Past President of the American Psychological Association, and:

• Written for parents and professionals • Characteristics of gifted children and adults • Diagnoses most commonly given to gifted children and adults • Traits of diagnoses incorrectly given to gifted children and adults • Guidelines to avoid mislabeling gifted children • Parent-child relationship problems • Issues for gifted adults • Advice for selecting a counselor or health care professional

"Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults" has been endorsed by three past presidents of the American Psychological Association, two neurologists, and two family practice physicians.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 265 pages
• Publisher: Great Potential Press (January 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0910707642
• ISBN-13: 978-0910707640
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #219,200 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

87 of 94 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must-Read for parents, medical, psychological, and education, December 21, 2004

By	Carolyn K. "Mrs. Hoagie" (Hoagies' Gifted Education Page) - See all my reviews

Twice exceptional children, that is those who are both gifted and learning disabled, are an enigma to parents and professionals alike. And because of the overlap in characteristics, some gifted children are diagnosed as having other exceptionalities, when they are really just exhibiting characteristics of giftedness. Figuring these kids out is difficult, at best.

Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults should be read by all. Parents will find great information and detailed vignettes describing many dual exceptionalities and misdiagnoses. Professionals, whether medical, psychological, or educational, will find the differential information that will enable them to stop pathologizing normal behaviors of the gifted, and to stop missing real diagnoses that were previously excused as characteristics of giftedness. And gifted adults will find confirmation of the differences they may have struggled with all their lives, that no one could ever explain before. While the book does not replace professional counseling, it does offer great first steps towards dealing with both the frustrating characteristics of giftedness, and the symptoms of dual exceptionalities.

Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses is a valuable resource for parents, teachers, and professionals from both psychological and medical communities. It should be among every school's counseling resources, and every pediatrician's reading list. And parents of both gifted and twice exceptional kids should make time to read it.

Bottom line: I LOVE it! And though I wish I had it years ago, I found several very valuable sections to help with my own kids even now, plus tons of great information to recommend to both parents and professionals who come to Hoagies' Page seeking help.

Half the royalties from purchases of Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults go to support the nonprofit organization SENG - Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted www.sengifted.org!

61 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For every parent , June 30, 2005

By	liat2768 "liat2768" (dallas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Misdiagnosis And Dual Diagnoses Of Gifted Children And Adults: ADHD, Bipolar, OCD, Asperger's, Depression, And Other Disorders (Paperback)

I am so thrilled to have finally found a book that exactly addresses my concerns. My 4yo is very advanced in many ways and, while not tested and found gifted, his behavior always causes people to hint that I might want to check into why he behaves the way that he does. He's not interested in blocks and puzzles and instead wants to read or take things apart. . . hmmm he sure is strange. He can't socialize well . . .it has to be aspergers!! He gets bored of things other kids find interesting and won't sit and listen to the teacher's talking to the group . . . well of course he has adhd! in this world where little knowledge is a dangerous thing it seems that all the professionals who deal with our children, qualified and otherwise, feel the need to try and label children who are different.
For any parent who falls prey to this bombardment of questioning looks this book is a godsend. The different disorders that gifted children are often misdiagnosed with are explained clearly with lists of DSM-IV characteristics and a brief explanation of which characteristics make it improbable tht your child has that particular disorder. You are your child's best advocate and, armed with this book, you may have a smoother time standing up for him/her.
*update 2008* I can honestly say that this book saved my son's life. After reading it we had a battery of tests done and eliminated Aspergers or any kind of Autistic disorder. What we did find was that he is Profoundly gifted and had some hearing problem which have since been taken care of. In an age where anyone with a smidge of knowledge was willing to try to diagnose our child I am so utterly grateful to the authors of this book. If you suspect your child is extremely bright, or has Aspergers, or is twice exceptional I very highly recommend this book. I have read a lot of gifted literature now and books about misdiagnoses of gifted kids and this one is by far the most scientific and clear.

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank Goodness for This Book, September 18, 2006

By	Marion Gropen "publishing consultant" (Gropen Associates, NY, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Misdiagnosis And Dual Diagnoses Of Gifted Children And Adults: ADHD, Bipolar, OCD, Asperger's, Depression, And Other Disorders (Paperback)

If it weren't for this book, and for James Webb, I might have believed the teachers and psychologists who told me that something was really wrong with my daughter. After reading this book, I realized that several things were really right with her, but that we weren't handling her in the ways most likely to help her adapt and succeed.

With the help of this book, some enlightened professionals, and my own observations of my girl, we have succeeded in helping her find her way within the school, with her peer group, and with adults.

If you have a child being labeled as having Aspergers, ADHD, etc. and one who is very bright, get this book. It may be that the disabilities are there, but it may not. Too many of our teachers, social workers, and psychologists are too eager to slap on a label and let themselves off the hook. Don't give up on your kid, and don't let them do it either.

This book will help you find ways to evaluate what you are seeing, and what you are being told, and it will help you find ways to respond constructively.