Other Web Sites & Contacts

The people who are concerned about the needs of the gifted belong to a very generous community. There is a great deal of information available at no cost through various web sites. Educational Options has provided links to specific excellent web sites where you can find more information and resources.

In Minnesota, contact any of the following:

Most states have gifted organizations. Many states have departments of gifted and talented in their departments of education.  These organizations offer resources without regard to location...

Talent Development (www.talentdevelop.com) An interesting and useful site developed and maintained by Douglas Eby, this site explores talent development, especially over a lifetime. It is one of the most useful sites I've discovered to deal with adult gifted and talented, as well as the numerous important issues that face real people.

Born to Explore (www.borntoexplore.org) A parent run site dedicated to giving information and answering questions about ADD and ADHD. Many gifted children are informally misdiagnosed by parents and teachers as being hyperactive or distractible. Explore this site before you come to that conclusion yourself.

American Mensa, Ltd. (www.us.mensa.org) Membership is for people who have scored at or above the 98th percentile on a recognized standardized test. There are local chapters, state newsletters, national journal, etc. and many regular activities and gatherings of members.

Hollingworth Center for Highly Gifted Children (www.hollingworth.org)

Neag Center for Gifted Education & Talent Development (www.gifted.uconn.edu) Based at the University of Connecticut, this site gives information compiled by experts and researchers in the field.

Hoagies' Gifted Education Page (www.hoagiesgifted.org) This site leads to a number of other sites and is a great starting point.

Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (www.sengifted.org) This site contains articles, links, conference information, and provides research and speaker grant money.

Davidson Institute (www.davidsoninstitute.org) This organization dedicated to serving the needs of profoundly gifted young people. It may be exactly what you need. This site has started to include articles from other sources as well as though the institute commissions itself. I highly recommend perusing this site, especially if you suspect your child may be exceptionally or profoundly gifted. 

Genius Denied (www.geniusdenied.com) This site contains an array of gifted and talented resources, including articles, and to a state policy database of information regarding gifted & talented education policies across the U.S.

Gifted Development Center (www.gifteddevelopment.com) This is the site for The Gifted Development Center in the Denver, CO, area and is headed by Linda Silverman. The Advanced Development Journal: A Journal on Adult Giftedness is also available at this site.

The Educator’s Reference Desk (www.eduref.org) This replacement for the ERIC web site has informative, research based articles. After accessing the site, click on "sites" and then "disabilities and gifted education."

There are a number of sites that sponsor competitions, summer programs, and other opportunities for highly intelligent and interested students. Please visit some of these for more information:

The Gurian Institute (www.gurianinstitute.com)  The Gurian Institute, co-founded by Michael Gurian, is a training organization focused on providing schools, homes, workplaces, and community agencies with crucial understanding of how boys and girls learn and grow, and women and men work and lead. The ultimate mission of the Institute is to help all dynamic environments better serve the individual needs of both genders.

Let's Get Real (www.LGReal.org) is an academic competition and an opportunity for teams of students to gain experience working on real business challenges. Corporate sponsors supply real challenges for which teams submit solutions in business format. 717-566-7173

Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG) (www.giftedstudy.com) serves academically gifted students in grades 4 through 8 during seven sessions in five states. "The program combines remarkable academic learning experiences with cultural, social, and recreational opportunities" at Vassar College, Bryn Mawr College, Drew University, Amherst College, and Oberlin College for residential 3-week programs.

Summer Study Programs (www.summerstudy.com) offers pre-collegiate programs for high school students at Penn State University, The University of Colorado at Boulder, and The American University of Paris.

Center for Talent Development (www.ctd.northwestern.edu) at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, on the shores of Lake Michigan, for academically talented students in grades pre k-12. 847-491-3782

Minnesota Destination Imagination: Kid Powered-Team Driven! (www.int287.k12.mn.us/di/) Join thousands of kids and volunteers by becoming part of the world's largest creative problem-solving program. Also look at the national site: Destination Imagination (www.destinationimagination.org). 763-550-7212

Pre-College (www.brown.edu/summer) summer programs for high school students in Providence, RI. Also have special scholarship opportunities. 401-863-7900

Intern Exchange International (http://www.internexchange.com) An intern exchange program for high school students between the US and London, England. Includes a wide, diverse range of topics from arts, to technology, to business. 610-527-6066

Global Reach (www.globalreach.com) Experiential summer adventure programs that provide unique opportunities for teenagers to work and grow together in an active, hands-on environment. Includes opportunities in the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Honduras, the Amazon and Galapagos, the Sinai, Australia, and Solomon Figi which include land and water experiences. Marine biology accredited. 888-833-1907

Summer Fun (www.summerfun.com) Pre-College enrichment for high school students at UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, University of Connecticut, University of Michigan, Georgetown University, University of Vermont, and Cambridge University. College credit classes, enrichment courses, research mentorships, DiscoveryWorks Community Service, Intensive Theatre Program, College Counseling, Weekend Trips, Intensive Golf and Tennis, ESL and TOEFL Program. 888-878-6637

Summer Fun Jr. Discovery (www.summerfun.com) 4 week enrichment programs for Middle School Students at UCLA, University of Michigan, and University of Vermont. Same website and contact number as above.

There are a number of experts around the country who will consult by phone. I am only listing people whom I know and trust and feel comfortable recommending. I am certain there are others, but they would be listed and available elsewhere.

Ed Amend, Amend Psychological Services, is one of the authors of Misdiagnosis And Dual Diagnoses Of Gifted Children And Adults: ADHD, Bipolar, OCD, Asperger's, Depression, And Other Disorders by James T. Webb, Edward R. Amend, Nadia E. Webb, Jean Goerss, Paul Beljan, F. Richard Olenchak, and Sharon Lind.

The Center for the Gifted, located in Philadelphia, PA, was established in 1983 to meet the needs of gifted people of all ages. Services include counseling, assessment, vocational and career guidance, workshops and publications.

Kathi Kearney, also listed directly through the Gifted Development Center, is available for phone consultations. Schedule by contacting her by e-mail at kkearney@midcoast.com.

A.S. Mahoney & Associates is another good resource. I first met Andy in upstate New York at a gifted conference in 1993; he is an excellent counseling resource for you.

Dr. Barbara Klein is a clinical psychologist located in Los Angeles, California, Dr. Klein’s services include gifted testing, school placement, and parent coaching. Dr. Klein is also the author of “Raising Gifted Kids: Everything You Need to Know to Help Your Exceptional Child Thrive,” and “Not All Twins Are Alike: Psychological Profiles of Twinship.”

Deborah L. Ruf, Ph.D. at Educational Options, inquiry@educationaloptions.com, or call 763-521-4565.