Parenting Gifted, Talented & Creative Children Resource Guide
A thoughtfully curated collection of books, websites, and tools to help parents nurture the emotional depth, intellectual intensity, and unique challenges of raising gifted, twice-exceptional, and highly creative children.
Parenting Gifted and Talented Children
Book Resource
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A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children by James T. Webb, Janet L. Gore, Edward R. Amend, and Arlene R. DeVries
A foundational guide offering practical tools and deep insight into the emotional and social needs of gifted kids.
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Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults by James T. Webb et al.
Reveals how gifted traits are often mistaken for pathology and provides tools to distinguish true diagnoses.
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When Gifted Kids Don’t Have All the Answers by Judy Galbraith & Jim Delisle
Helps parents and educators support underachieving or stressed gifted learners with compassion and skill.
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Living with Intensity edited by Susan Daniels & Michael M. Piechowski
Explores the emotional depth and sensitivities of gifted individuals through the lens of overexcitabilities.
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Twice-Exceptional Gifted Children by Beverly Trail
Provides a strengths-based framework for understanding and supporting 2e learners who are both gifted and challenged.
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Bright Not Broken by Diane M. Kennedy, Rebecca S. Banks & Temple Grandin
Advocates for the neurodiverse child and reframes how we understand and parent 2e children.
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The Power of Different by Gail Saltz
Explores how “disabilities” like ADHD, dyslexia, and anxiety can coincide with unique gifts and creative genius.
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Smart but Scattered by Peg Dawson & Richard Guare
Offers executive function strategies tailored for bright kids who struggle with planning, focus, or follow-through.
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Different Minds by Deirdre V. Lovecky
A thorough look at gifted kids with ADHD, autism spectrum differences, and other complexities, with rich clinical insights.
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Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students by Christine Fonseca
Helps parents understand and respond to the big feelings and perfectionism often found in gifted children.
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Giftedness 101 by Linda Silverman
A comprehensive, research-based overview of giftedness, including its traits, myths, and support strategies.
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The Dyslexic Advantage by Brock L. Eide & Fernette F. Eide
Celebrates the unique cognitive strengths of dyslexic minds, making it a key read for parents of gifted/LD kids.
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Raising Gifted Kids by Barbara Klein
Addresses the emotional, social, and educational needs of gifted children, with guidance for nurturing the whole child.
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On the Social and Emotional Lives of Gifted Children by Tracy Cross
Covers peer relationships, perfectionism, and identity development, especially in gifted youth.
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Bright Kids Who Can’t Keep Up by Ellen Braaten & Brian Willoughby
For parents of gifted kids with slow processing speed or asynchronous development, this book provides realistic, actionable support.
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The Mislabeled Child by Brock L. Eide & Fernette F. Eide
Equips parents to better understand their child’s brain and avoid inappropriate labels or interventions.
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To Be Gifted and Learning Disabled by Susan Baum, Robin Schader & Steven Owen
An essential guide to the paradoxes of twice-exceptionality, offering support in both academic and emotional realms.
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5 Levels of Gifted by Deborah Ruf
Breaks down the wide range of giftedness and gives parents clarity on how to advocate appropriately for their child.
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Genius Denied: How to Stop Wasting Our Brightest Young Minds by Jan and Bob Davidson
This powerful book exposes how gifted children are often overlooked or underserved in traditional education and calls for urgent advocacy to nurture their extraordinary potential.
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Parents’ Guide to IQ Testing and Gifted Education by David Palmer
A clear, parent-friendly guide to understanding IQ tests, gifted identification, and how to advocate effectively for your child’s needs.
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Social, Emotional, and Psychosocial Development of Gifted and Talented Individuals by Anne Rinn
An in-depth exploration of the emotional and psychological complexities of gifted individuals, offering research-based insights for parents, educators, and counselors.
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Guiding the Gifted Child: A Practical Source for Parents and Teachers by James T. Webb
A classic, practical guide for nurturing the emotional and social development of gifted children at home and in school.
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Bright, Talented, & Black: A Guide for Families of Black Gifted Learners by Joy Lawson Davis, Ed.D.
An empowering guide that celebrates and supports the unique cultural and educational needs of Black gifted children, helping families advocate for equity and excellence.
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Parenting Gifted Kids: Tips for Raising Happy and Successful Children by James Delisle
A practical, heartfelt guide offering real-world advice and encouragement for raising emotionally healthy and intellectually curious gifted children.
🌐 Online Resources
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SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted)
SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted) empowers gifted, twice-exceptional, and neurodiverse individuals through education, support, and advocacy focused on their unique social and emotional needs.
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Davidson Young Scholars
The Davidson Young Scholars program is a free national initiative offering profoundly gifted students ages 5–18 personalized academic, social, and emotional support, along with access to a vibrant community of peers and experts.
https://www.davidsongifted.org/gifted-programs/young-scholars/
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National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)
The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) is the leading U.S. organization dedicated to supporting and advocating for the needs of gifted and talented children through education, research, and policy initiatives.
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Five Levels of Gifted
The Five Levels of Gifted website, created by Dr. Deborah Ruf, offers a comprehensive framework for understanding the diverse range of giftedness in children, providing insights into their developmental milestones and educational needs.
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American Mensa
Mensa is the world’s largest and oldest high-IQ society, open to individuals who score in the top 2% of the population on an approved intelligence test.
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Gifted Development Center (GDC)
The Gifted Development Center (GDC) is a global leader in assessing and nurturing gifted individuals of all ages, emphasizing a holistic, child-centered approach that honors the emotional and developmental complexities of giftedness throughout the lifespan.
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Hoagies' Gifted Education
Hoagies' Gifted Education Page is a comprehensive online resource hub offering support, information, and community for gifted individuals, parents, and educators navigating the complexities of giftedness and twice-exceptionality.
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Northwest Gifted Child Association (NWGCA)
The Northwest Gifted Child Association (NWGCA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families of gifted and twice-exceptional children by providing resources, advocacy, and community connections to help them thrive .
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Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA)
The Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the intellectual, creative, and personal growth of gifted and high-potential youth through personalized, whole-child programs that foster challenge, mentorship, and self-discovery.
“"It's a tough time to raise, teach or be a highly gifted child... Schools are to extraordinarily intelligent children what zoos are to cheetahs... Every organism has an internal drive to fulfill its biological design. The same is true for unusually bright children. From time to time the bars need be removed, the enclosures broadened. Zoo Chow, easy and cheap as it is, must give way, at least some of the time, to lively, challenging mental prey."
– Stephanie Tolan