Perspective and Review

By L. Hadi

In October 2017, we were so fortunate to have a nationally renowned psychologist, Dr. James Webb, as our PAGE sponsored presenter at the GAM Conference. Dr. Webb established SENG, an organization dedicated to Supporting the Emotional Needs of Gifted children and then authored numerous award-winning books on guiding the gifted child. Many of his books and other parent resources are available in Phelps Library.

In years past, PAGE purchased SENG webinars and held viewing sessions for small groups who were interested in gaining further insights. At SENGifted.org, there is a list of webinars that PAGE can purchase (one each semester) if enough members express an interest in a certain webinar. We can also arrange a viewing time based on a group request.

One of the webinars I previewed recently was entitled “Empowering Gifted Learners Through Self-Advocacy.” This webinar was recorded on October 19, 2017 and featured Deb Douglas, M.S., a former gifted researcher and teacher, who now owns a consulting company (GT Carpe Diem), that specializes in helping students take charge of their education.

In this webinar, the presenter wants to help parents and guardians create action goals and plans for change to help self-advocacy happen for their student. She defined self-advocacy by quoting Loring Brinckerhoff (1994) as the “process of recognizing and meeting the needs specific to your own learning ability without compromising the dignity of yourself or others.” Douglas reiterated that our school system is constantly changing based on budget cuts, new initiatives, teacher turn over, new district or administrator goals, etc. She encourages self-advocacy so students can focus on their own needs in spite of constant changes in the school system. Douglas noted that one thing that does not change is each students’ “need for an appropriately challenging education and effective social and emotional support.”

Douglas focuses on students self-advocating in a productive way without antagonizing others but essentially learning to speak up for themselves. She wants students to be responsible and develop characteristics to support their individual success. She encourages students to understand their rights and responsibilities and to be aware of their school districts’ mission statement. The Springfield Public Schools strategic plan mission is to: Prepare all students for tomorrow by providing engaging, relevant and personalized educational experiences today.

Douglas supports children learning to understand themselves as a learner and determining their learning preferences; mindset; ability to be organized and self-directed and figuring out how they personally like to learn. She discusses the autonomous learner profile as ideal as these students learn how to adapt the system to have the educational experience that they want and need. She emphasized that these students figure out how to get their education to be demanding, fit their needs and challenge their intellect.

Douglas recommends looking into online courses; accelerated classes or subject acceleration; independent study; mentorships and AP or IB coursework. She emphasizes that students need to create a unique route and then to figure out the options and resources available to them. She encourages students to connect with advocates to support their unique path or interests. She lists teachers; counselors; advisors; administrators; talent search programs; and special foundations as possible advocates. She provides numerous examples from students she worked with and how they started their own paths to self- advocacy.

If you are a parent already helping your student explore opportunities or supplement their education, this webinar will probably be an affirmation of your conduct and not as instructive. If you are just starting out and need an outline on what you can do for your student to empower them, this webinar is informative and contains lots of helpful content.

SENG webinars are typically audio presentations with Powerpoint slides. Generally, they run from 55 to 90 minutes depending on the program. Please email PAGE at pagespringfieldmo@gmail.com if you have a group who would like to watch a particular SENG webinar. Also, if you are interested in this particular subject, Deb Douglas recently published a book, The Power of Self-Advocacy for Gifted Learners. Teaching the 4 Essential Steps to Success.

L. Hadi is the current PAGE president and will finish up her term in June 2018. She has four children who have all participated in the gifted program.