[B]    Gifted young teens often have much in common with older teens and adults, rather than agemates. Is this the case with our gifted adolescent? Have there been any complications with your young teen preferring the company of "friends" who might be several years older? Please explain.

[C]    In what ways is your gifted adolescent a "typical teenager"? In what ways is s/he atypical?

[D]   Did your gifted teen begin thinking about and dealing with adolescent issues (such as focusing on peer approval more than being an individual; sexy or macho behavior or body image; group role play related to sex stereotypes or behaviors; etc.) at an age earlier than you expected? Explain.

[E]    Does your gifted teenager feel the need to "fit in" socially with other teens of the same age? How does your gifted adolescent make and keep friends?

[F]    Does your gifted teen have many friends? Just a few? Or only one? Does her/his number of friends concern you as a parent? Explain.

[G]   Some gifted teens describe their performance in school as "submersion," that is, they choose not to perform at maximum ability to "buy" some time for their own thoughts during the school day. Does your gifted adolescent submerse her/himself to save some time for her/his inner thoughts? Explain.

[H]   Do you expect "a teen with his/her abilities" to act more responsibly than a teen who is not as advanced intellectually? Explain.

[I]     Some describe gifted teens as needing "alone time" from family and friends. Others worry this is loneliness caused by differences brought on by giftedness. Based on your family experience, do you believe your teen's "alone time" is healthy and necessary, or is it more used as an excuse to not interact with others? Explain.

[J]     As your gifted teen approaches young adulthood, what do you look forward to the most for her/him? What causes you the most concern?

[K]   What advice have you given your gifted adolescent about dealing with others less capable than him/her?

[L]    What have you enjoyed the most in raising your gifted teen?

[M]  What organizations, publications or resources have been most helpful to you in raising your gifted teen?

[N]   What didn't we ask about that we should have? Explain.

The questions above might not give you enough space to fully share your family story. If this is the case, please include your story in the space below. (You can, if you prefer, send your story as an attachment to the e-mail address at the bottom of this form.)

Demographic Information

Which choice best describes the make-up of your local community: Rural Suburban Urban

Would your family be identified as a minority by federal definition?

Yes
No

In what state, territory or country does your family reside?

Please describe the members of your family (e.g., number of children, ages/grades and which are gifted; are parents gifted?; grandparents gifted?; total number of family living in household; etc.):

Describe your family make up (e.g., one biological parent, one step-parent, two step-children, one grandparent, three pets (two dogs, one parrot), etc.):

Has anyone in your family been identified as Highly/Profoundly gifted?

Yes
No

If yes, please describe any unique qualities this has added to your family life.

 

Additional Contact/Interview Consent Statement:

If you'd like to be contacted about your responses and/or are willing to take part in an interview, please place your e-mail address in the space provided. An attachment containing additional information will be forwarded to you. If you are a family member under the age of 18, parent/guardian consent must also be received.

E-mail address: