Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults: ADHD, Bipolar, OCD, Asperger's, Depression, and Other Disorders (2nd edition)

by James T. Webb, Edward R. Amend, Paul Beljan

Overview

Gifted children and adults are frequently misdiagnosed, particularly those who are twice-exceptional (2e). This much-anticipated second edition of a best-selling book is your guide to help prevent that. Some of our brightest, most creative children and adults are misdiagnosed as having behavioral or emotional disorders such as ADD/ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or Asperger's Disorder. Many receive unneeded medications and/or inappropriate counseling. How can this happen? Physicians, psychologists, and counselors often are unaware of characteristics of gifted children and adults that mimic pathological diagnoses. James T. Webb, Edward R. Amend, Paul Beljan, Nadia E. Webb, Marianne Kuzujanakis, F. Richard Olenchak. and Jean Goerss guide parents and professionals to distinguish between behaviors that are pathological and those that are “normal” for gifted individuals.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781935067436
Publisher:	Gifted Unlimited
Publication date:	11/01/2016
Pages:	420
Sales rank:	144,629
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.86(d)

About the Author

James T. Webb, Ph.D. was recognized nationally as one of the most influential psychologists on gifted education. Dr. Webb wrote 16 books, over 75 professional publications, three DVDs, and many research papers for psychology conventions or for conferences regarding gifted and talented children. Six of his books were on gifted children and adults, and four won “Best Book“ awards. In 1981, Dr. Webb established SENG, a national nonprofit organization that provides information, training, conferences, and workshops, and served as Chair of SENG's Professional Advisory Committee. In 2011, he was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arizona Association for Gifted children, the Community Service Award from the National Association for Gifted Children, and the Upton Sinclair Award by EducationNews.org. Most recently, Dr. Webb was President of Great Potential Press, Inc. Dr. Webb received the 2017 Palmarium Award at the University of Denver's Gifted Education conference, “Transformational Leadership: Inspirations and Issues in Gifted Education”, where Dr. Webb was honored for exemplifying “a future in which giftedness will be understood, embraced and systematically nurtured throughout the nation and the world."

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - Characteristics of Gifted Children and Adults
Behavioral Characteristics
Frequent Referral Problems for Gifted
Intensity/Sensitivity/Overexcitabilities
"Visual-Spatial" Non-Linear Thinking Styles
"Auditory-Sequential" Linear Thinking Styles Idealism
Peer Relations
Asynchronous Development
Judgment that Lags behind Intellect
Interest Patterns
Creativity
Educational Misplacement or Lack of Family Understanding
Chapter 2 - Misdiagnoses and Dual Diagnoses in Gifted Children and Adults
The SENG National Survey
Health Care and Counseling Professionals
Chapter 3 - Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Impairment
Activity Level
Rating Scales
Hyperactivity and Impulsivity
Tests: Intelligence, Achievement, and Neuropsychological, Personality
Hyperfocus and Stimulus Binding
Differentiating ADHD Behaviors from Gifted Behaviors
Situational Specificity
Chapter 4 - Anger Diagnoses
Gifted Children and Anger
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Oppositional Behavior in Gifted Children
Conduct Disorder
Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
The Narcissism of Giftedness
Chapter 5 - Ideational and Anxiety Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Eating Disorders
Autism Spectrum Disorder and Asperger's Disorder
Introverted, Anxious, or Asperger's Disorder?
Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder
Schizoid Personality Disorder
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Avoidant Personality Disorder
Other Anxiety Disorders
Chapter 6 - Mood Disorders
Bipolar Disorders
Rapid-Cycling
Cyclothymic Disorder
Depressive Disorder
Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
Existential Depression
Chapter 7 - Learning Disabilities
Impairments in Reading, Written Expression, or Oral Production
Learning and Memory Problems
Impairment in Mathematics
Nonverbal Learning Disabilities (NVLD)
Sensory-Motor Integration Disorders
Auditory Processing Disorders
Cognitive Rehabilitation
Chapter 8 - Sleep Disorders
Short Sleepers and Long Sleepers
Advice for Professionals and Parents
Differentiating Normal Short Sleep and Long Sleep Patterns from Sleep Disorders
Insomnia
Hypersomnia
Sleep Disruptions
Enuresis
Nightmares
Sleep Terror Disorder
Chapter 9 - Allergies, Asthma, and Reactive Hypoglycemia
The Brain and the Gut
Allergies and Asthma
Implications for the Health Care Professional
Reactive Hypoglycemia/Temporary Glucose Insufficiency
Hypoglycemia and Allergies
Reactive Hypoglycemia and Other Diagnoses
Other Auto-immune Disorders
Chapter 10 - Alcohol, Drug, and Other Substance Abuse
Alcohol Consumption and Giftedness
Drug Use and Giftedness
Implications for Professionals
Chapter 11 - Relationships Issues for Gifted Children and Adults
Diagnosing Relational Problems
Parent-Child Relationships
Power Struggles
Enmeshment
"Adultizing" the Gifted Child
Using Giftedness to Excuse Bad Social Behavior
Parent/Child Manipulation
Accommodating to Gifted Behaviors
Denial of Giftedness
Peer Relationships
Sibling Rivalry
Gender Identity Issues
Peer Pressures
Adult Relationships
Employment Relational Problems
Socialization
Diagnosis and Treatment
Chapter 12 - The Diagnostic Process
Diagnoses and Gifted Children and Adults
A Logical Approach to Avoiding Misdiagnoses
Short-Term memory Deficit Example
Processing Speed Deficit Example
Auditory Processing Deficit (APD) Example
Sensory Integration Deficit (SID) Example
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) Example
When Disorders Are Not Disorders
Chapter 13 - Differentiating Gifted Behaviors from Pathological Behaviors
Typical Patterns for Gifted Children or Adults
Extent of Fit with the Diagnostic Category
Dual Diagnoses
Level of Impairment
Communicating with Enhanced Intellectual Respect
Chapter 14 - How to Select a Health Care Professional or Counselor for a Gifted Child or Adult
Chapter 15 - Resources
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

"This book guides parents, teachers, and professionals so students can achieve their full potential. Kids with labels such as ADHD, autism, or Asperger's may also be gifted in math, art, or music, and educators and parents must work to develop their abilities."
~ Temple Grandin, Ph.D., world-renowned autism expert and author of The Autistic Brain and Thinking in Pictures
"All kids are hard to diagnose, and gifted kids are the most likely to be misunderstood and misdiagnosed. It is very easy to give a psychiatric diagnosis, so very hard to erase one, and the mislabeling can stigmatize and haunt a child for life. Parents need to be well informed to protect their children from diagnostic exuberance and unneeded treatments."
~ Allen Frances, M.D., Chair DSM IV Task Force; Former Chair, Duke Department of Psychiatry; Author: Saving Normal: An Insider's Revolt against DSM-V, Big Pharma, and the Medicalization of Ordinary Life.
"A widespread and serious problem...the wasting of lives from the misdiagnosis of gifted children and adults and the inappropriate treatment that follows."
~ Jack G. Wiggins, Ph.D., Former President, American Psychological Association
"Should be required reading for every professional who cares for children and every parent with a bright, but behaviorally perplexing, child."
~ Fernette R. Eide, M.D., Neurologist, and Brock L. Eide, M.D., General Practitioner, Eide Neurolearning Clinic

From the Publisher