| | |
 | An inclusive community advocating for learners with gifted education needs, their families, and educators |
|
| |
Seasons Greetings, GiftedNYS Community!
|
The holiday season is a time of excitement, reflection, and preparation. For gifted and twice-exceptional (2E) children, this time of year offers wonderful opportunities for creativity, curiosity, and connection, and it can also bring unique challenges. Heightened sensory input, disruptions to routines, and interactions with well-meaning relatives, coupled with the emotional demands of the season, can impact their well-being—and ours as caregivers and supporters.
|
As parents, teachers, and service providers, your role is invaluable. Gifted and 2E children often experience the holidays intensely, embracing the season's magic with curiosity and imagination. However, they also need guidance and balance to navigate the emotional and sensory complexities of these celebrations.
|
To support you during this joyful and sometimes intense season, we’ve included helpful tips and resources in this newsletter. By addressing the unique needs of gifted and 2E children, we can create holidays that are both enriching and joyful. These shared moments help differently-wired children feel celebrated, understood, and inspired.
|
Wishing you a season filled with warmth, connection, and discovery.
|
Cheers,
The GiftedNYS Team |
| |
|
| Advocacy Corner | Navigating Family Gatherings During The Holidays|
By Dr. Toni Tarnell, Psychologist |
|
|
| |
Truth be told, the most wonderful time of the year can also be the most stressful. when we are hoping from one event to the next while trying to enjoy ‘quality time’ with family and friends. So, how can we make the holidays easier for ourselves and our children? In this section, we’ll explore some strategies to advocate for your child with family members and set everyone up for success, while keeping stress to a minimum. |
|
|
| Set Your Child Up For Success
Before the event, talk with your child about what to expect, what is expected of them, and what might be hard for them to cope with. Acknowledge any difficulties they may face, be sensitive to their needs, limitations and feelings. Collaborate with your child in planning strategies for coping with potential triggers. If appropriate, consider offering an incentive or reward for positive behavior. Also, have a backup plan in place for how to handle any struggles during the event.
|
Stay Flexible
If the event isn’t going well, it’s perfectly okay to leave early or pivot to a backup plan. Your child’s well-being is the priority, and sometimes a change of scenery or activity can help everyone reset.
|
Focus On Avoiding Conflict
The holidays can be stressful, and sometimes the best response is to simply avoid unnecessary conflict. If someone seems to be judging your parenting or your child’s behavior, or if they offer advice that doesn’t align with your understanding of your child’s unique gifted or 2E needs, thank them for their concern and move on from the conversation.
|
Trust Yourself And Your Instincts
Above all, trust in yourself, your knowledge of your child and your decisions as a parent. Take a deep breath and remember that many people won’t fully understand the unique challenges of raising a neurodiverse child unless they’ve experienced it firsthand. You know your child best.
|
Dr. Tarnell is a practicing psychologist in Westchester, NY. She specializes in working with Gifted and 2E adults and children. To learn more about Dr. Tarnell and her work, click here!
|
| | Perspectives Corner |
|
| Easing Students Back To School After The Holidays |
By Dr. Sonu Aziz, Head of Academic Affairs, Long Island School For the Gifted |
|
|
| |
As a teacher of gifted children, I know the anxiety of returning to school after a holiday break can cast a shadow over the joy of the season. For gifted and twice-exceptional (2E) children, the thought of resuming routines, tackling long-term assignments, and organizing materials can feel overwhelming, leading to emotional outbursts or shutdowns. When combined with a caregiver’s frustration over last-minute homework reminders, it can become intense. |
|
|
|
Gifted children often experience the world as “vivid” and “quiveringly alive” (Sword, 2001), with equally intense emotional responses. This emotional intensity, often tied to asynchronous development—a mismatch between intellectual, emotional, and physical growth—can make transitions particularly challenging. Stress from high expectations, a sense of being out of control, or inadequate tools to manage these feelings can result in meltdowns.
|
Helping gifted children build an emotional "toolbelt" is key to navigating these challenges. Strategies such as using common language to work through feelings, modeling calm behavior, and disengaging during escalations can help. Once emotions settle, re-engage with empathy and collaborate on solutions to prevent future stress. For example, brainstorming ways to break down assignments or create a calming routine can empower children to manage their emotions more effectively.
|
Additional Tips for a Smooth Transition Back to School|
Create a Designated Work Space |
Having all supplies, books, & school materials in one spot reduces stress & ensures readiness.
|
Display a large calendar with color-coded due dates for tasks to keep it manageable and fun.
|
|
Ease Back Into Routines Early |
Gradually reintroduce bedtime and morning routines a few days before school starts.
|
|
Prepare for the First Day |
Lay out clothes, pack backpacks, & organize extracurricular gear the night before.
|
Review planners & complete outstanding assignments at least a week before school resumes.
|
|
Communicate with Teachers |
Parent-teacher partnerships are vital. If you notice rising anxiety, reach out for support.
|
By combining emotional support with practical strategies, gifted & 2E children can approach the transition back to school with confidence. A little preparation, empathy, and collaboration can make this process less stressful and more successful for everyone involved.
|
For more tips on helping to ease your student back into the school routine, check out:
|
|
|
| | B.E.S.T. Model For Healthy Relationship Building |
Created by Melissa Sornik, LCSW, who specializes in supporting children and families in her New York City practice, the Sornik Model B.E.S.T. offers a practical framework for building resilience and nurturing healthy relationships. It highlights four core elements: Boundaries, to safeguard emotional well-being; Effective Communication, for empathetic and clear interactions; Seeing the Individual, to honor uniqueness; and Taking Breaks, to manage stress and restore balance. |
|
|
| What do we love about it?
Supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent, gifted, and twice-exceptional children often prompts parents and caregivers to ask, "How can we create a balanced and affirming environment?" The B.E.S.T. Model, with its focus on Boundaries, Effective Communication, Seeing the Individual, and Taking Breaks, provides practical tools to build stronger relationships and foster emotional resilience. By emphasizing individuality and self-regulation, B.E.S.T. offers a thoughtful approach to celebrating and supporting diverse learners, making it an invaluable resource for families and educators alike.
|
Learn more about Melissa and the principles and strategies of the B.E.S.T. model HERE!
|
| | January Virtual Meet Up | |
Join us to connect with other families and educators throughout NYS who know learners with gifted education needs deserve equitable opportunities to excel. |
|
|
| | | Youth Opportunities!
|
 |
- If you live in Poughkeepsie, NY, The Art Effect is looking for entries for the 2025 PKX Festival! No submission is too strange, different, or crazy. This showcase is all about young people taking art and film in a new direction. Learn more about how to submit a piece HERE!
|
- Tidal Shift, presented by The Portland Museum of Art, Maine, is seeking artwork from NY artists 14-22 who want to solve the climate crisis. Entries are due by January 31, 2025. Learn more HERE!
|
- Calling young movie-makers and actors! The 90-Second Newbery Film Festival is accepting submissions through January 17, 2025. Learn more HERE!
|
- College student looking for an internship? The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has interesting options to explore! Check them out HERE!
|
- If your college is one of the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (Cyber Defense, Research, and Operations), you may qualify for a scholarship from the Department of Defense. Learn more HERE!
| |
|
| | | | |
We are always seeking dedicated volunteers to help advance GiftedNYS's mission. Even 2-3 hours a month will have a meaningful and positive impact on our community. To learn more visit https://giftednys.org/get-involved/volunteer/. |
|
|
| | |
If this newsletter was forwarded to you and you'd like to receive future GiftedNYS newsletters, advocacy updates, and information about interesting events, subscribe to our mailing list by visiting https://giftednys.org/about-us/newsletter/. Its quick and free to subscribe! |
|
|
| | About GiftedNYS | |
Gifted New York State, Inc. (GiftedNYS), is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization of parents, educators, and professionals who have come together to support the needs of New York’s gifted and twice-exceptional (2E) student population and their families. To learn more about our work, visit us online at www.giftednys.org. |
|
 | |
|
|
|
