Is Your Child Gifted or Challenged? How Can You Address Their Unique Needs?

Child Counseling

Every child has their own individual set of needs. As a parent, you’re probably already well in tune with those needs.

But there might be things you’re missing depending on certain exceptions. Specifically, if your child is gifted, or if they’re challenged in the way they learn.*An image of a child with a a mask and glasses on. A child therapist in Phoenix, AZ can offer support for gifted and challenged children. Learn more about therapy in Arcadia, AZ by searching child counseling Phoenix AZ today.

Gifted children are often praised by teachers and family members alike. Things seem to come easily to them. So it’s easy to think their lives are “perfect” and they don’t have any special needs. But that isn’t always the case.

Challenged children, however, are sometimes given the wrong help. Kids who are challenged have different needs that often have to be looked at individually.

The Needs of Gifted Children

Again, it’s easy to ignore the fact that kids who are highly intelligent may have more needs. Their lives aren’t perfect just because they’re smart or because things come easily to them. As parents, it’s important to recognize that.

What your gifted child might need probably doesn’t have much to do with academics or education. But it could have a lot to do with socialization and relationships.

First, children who are gifted might need to form stronger relationships with their peers. Being constantly focused on learning can take away from those relationships and make them feel isolated or “different.” At the end of the day, kids are still kids, and they should be allowed to have meaningful relationships that showcase that.

You may also need to keep your child challenged and motivated. Kids of higher intelligence are sometimes diagnosed with things like ADHD because they seem to have trouble paying attention. In reality, they could just be bored because they understand what’s going on quicker than others.

Recognizing that your gifted child may have different needs is important to keep them happy and content, so don’t overlook those basic needs just because of their intelligence.

The Needs of Challenged Children

A close up of a child sitting on a couch with a blank expression. Learn more about child counseling Phoenix AZ by searching for therapy in Arcadia, AZ today. A child therapist in Phoenix, AZ can offer support for you and your family.If your child struggles in school or doesn’t seem to have the same development as others, recognizing their individual needs can help.

Maybe your child doesn’t keep up with other kids as they should. Or they may have been diagnosed with a condition such as Asberger’s or Autism. Whatever the case, recognizing what your child needs to thrive isn’t necessarily something you’ll be able to find in a book or an article.

Children with these challenges often need more attention, time, and patience. But no two kids fit in the same box. Recognizing that will help you to steer away from soaking up every bit of information you read, and will allow you to instead focus on what your child is trying to tell you.

The Support You Need

Another factor to keep in mind is whether your child is exceptionally gifted or challenged: taking care of yourself.

Parents of children with specific needs, one way or another, can often feel isolated and overwhelmed. You don’t have to have all of the answers. You just need to focus on your child as an individual, rather than relying solely on what others might be doing.

If you are feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to address your child’s specific needs, you’re not alone. Help is available. There are many support groups out there for parents. Some are even focused on parents of children with special needs or gifted children.

Begin Working With A Child Therapist in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Online in AZ

A close up of a person with a pen and clipboard sitting across from another person. This could represent the support a child therapist in Phoenix, AZ can offer with therapy in Arcadia, AZ. Learn more about our services by searching child counseling Phoenix AZ today.Feel free to contact one of our child therapists if you’re struggling to keep up.  Together with your child therapist, you can talk about the emotional support you need as a parent. Together, you can learn how you can best take care of yourself while consistently addressing your child’s needs as well. To start your therapy journey with Crossroads Counseling, please follow these simple steps:

  1. Contact Crossroads Counseling to set up a free 20-minute consultation
  2. Meet with a child therapist
  3. Start receiving the support you and your child deserve!

Feel free to call us at 623-680-3486,text 623-688-5115, or email info@crossroadsfcc.com.

(*Note: Some children are gifted and challenged, requiring a completely different approach.)