A Resource for Parents Raising Exceptional Children

Heya. I’m a mom raising an exceptional 5 year old boy who learns differently. The official term to describe kids like him is “gifted,” but I prefer to call him a rapid learner. However, “gifted” remains the official term used in clinical, as well as education settings. In the interest of being found by other parents raising similar kids, I will stick with the clinical term when discussing resources. In social situations, I would rather use “rapid learner.”

While I view “giftedness” as a psychological reality that our family lives with, I don’t like using the “gifted” term because it often triggers unnecessary misunderstandings. It’s also dehumanizing and stigmatizing. My kid is an individual with a personality, and giftedness isn’t his only trait. Giftedness is just how his brain is wired. It’s a special need that requires unprecedented accommodations, and often come with another disability like ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, etc.

WHO THIS BLOG IS FOR
This blog is for anyone who finds it helpful. Usually this would be overwhelmed and desperate parents of rapid learners, but also those who are very thoughtful and involved with their children’s development. I started this blog to document our journey as a gifted family, as well as to share resources with friends raising their own kids who want resource recommendations.

I think it is important to note that good content is relevant to most children. The difference is timeline. So if I share a resource that my son enjoys at 5 years old, the same content would be relevant to a neurotypical 8 or 9 year old.