Our Gifted Kids Podcast

#087 Unpacking dangerous myths about gifted & 2E boys w/ Deborah Gennarelli

In this episode, we’re talking to Deborah Gennarelli about gifted and twice exceptional (2E) boys. A great episode unpacking those dangerous myths about gifted boys, diving into what makes them different, and providing real hands-on strategies to walk away with.

Memorable quote… “

“I've particularly noticed, with the boys that I worked with, the emotional intensity. So these students think and feel deeply and often differently than other children. This is especially true for 2E boys who are wrestling with the fact that they're gifted, but they also feel inadequate or shame or other negative emotions. And I saw that with all the boys that I wrote about. They knew they were really smart, but then they started questioning, "Am I really smart?” - Deborah Gennarelli

Bio…

An experienced educator and gifted intervention specialist, Deborah Gennarelli has a master's degree in gifted education and her passion has been recognised by Teacher of the Year awards in three different school districts as well as an “All-County Teacher” award.

As a gifted intervention specialist, she developed gifted education programs in several districts and now also consults; providing professional development on topics relevant to gifted children and supporting parents and students. A national speaker on the identification and support of gifted and 2e children, Deborah has also written the newly released, ‘Twice Exceptional Boys: A Roadmap to Getting it Right’.

She is currently co-writing a second book about neurodiversity in adults and is a member of NAGC (National Association for Gifted Children), OAGC (Ohio Association for Gifted Children, and SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted).

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Episode Resources

• Website: www.DeborahGennarelli.com

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahgennarelli/

• Book: ‘Twice Exceptional Boys: A Roadmap to Getting it Right’.

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Stay quirky and see you again soon! - Sophia

In this episode we’re talking to coach Meghann Birks about being gifted and having ADHD, late-in-life diagnosis, lived experience of ADHD, how we can manage from day to day, the challenges, the strengths, parenting and so much more.

Memorable quote… “

“I think that the flip side of this is that there are things I found challenging as an adult and as a mother, that when I started to really understand my brain, the perspective changed. And then there was another layer of perspective shift for me that came when I started to do the work on reparenting myself.

My 10-year-old son is constantly doing cartwheels and running around and I used to get quite resentful, especially in public spaces. I'm like, don't run into people. Be quiet. You know? All those social norms that we all feel the pressure of…

And when I realised, my therapist asked me, ‘what was something you needed as a child that you didn't have?’ And my answer immediately was, I needed someone who could keep up with me.

And immediately I went, I get to be that for him. And I can't always physically keep up with him because he is 10 and I am in my mid forties. However, I can give you the space for that exuberance to exist.

And there is a huge part of the work that I do, especially with women, which coincides with midlife… Where a lot of the work that women do in midlife is far from a crisis. It is a reclamation of who we were before the world stamped it out of us.” - Meghann Birks

Bio…

Meghann Birks, is an Embodiment Coach and Trauma Informed Professional Trainer based on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula where she lives with her partner and two highly spirited boys.

“I'm a coach, writer, dancer, Steel Mace Flow Coach and wannabe surf goddess who loves creating, coffee, lifting heavy, movement and sleep. I also have a wonderfully neurodivergent brain that shows itself via ADHD and I'm passionate about helping women with this diagnosis create an incredible life where they can flourish.

I am fascinated by the stories we tell ourselves, how they impact us and how we can, with proper support, change the narrative to move us toward a pure and joyful expression of who we are and why we're here.”

She holds the designation of Certified Professional Coach from the International Coach Academy, one of the world’s leading training organisations. This intensive course covered an array of learning modules and she was required to coach both internal and external clients under supervision from a Master Coach before she received her certificate.

She also holds: Cert III in Fitness, Cert IV in Fitness (Personal Training), Completion of the Wim Hof Method Fundamentals Course, Numerous qualifications in the area of program design and facilitation, Steel Mace Flow Coach Level 1, Certificate in Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy from The Embody Lab, and ‘An Advanced Degree from the School of Hard Knocks, as some of my super fun eff-ups in life are the reason I am now so good at what I do.’

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Episode Resources

• Meghann’s Sisters in Stoke Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Gcff5LbH1nQ45my0LqwSm?si=09ae450fc0aa4a84

• “Sisters in Stoke is a podcast for women and those who identify as women to share their stories of how they found their stoke and to inspire others to pursue their passion and purpose. My guests have truly embraced the spirit of "Let's f**k around and find out!" when it comes to going all in on creating a life they love and they share the obstacles they have overcome, what keeps them going when times are tough and just how good it feels to live a life where they can truly express who they are.”

• Meghann Birks Coaching:

• Website: www.meghannbirks.com

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghannbirkscoaching/

• Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/MeghannBirksCoaching

• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MeghannBirksCoaching

• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/MeghannBirks

• The book I couldn’t remember - ‘The Power of Different” by Dr. Gail Saltz

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Hit play and let’s get started!

In this episode, we’re talking to the vibrant and dynamic Dr. Victoria Waller about how to use creativity and a gifted child's interests to work on learning differences or practice executive function skills. An episode full of great ideas.

You can find Dr. Waller's ebook “If you can Dream it, You can do it!’ here.

Memorable quote… “

“So any parent that thinks, but I'm not creative, forget it. I've never met a child that can't build something.” - Dr. Victoria Waller

“Every child wants to learn and it's hard for them, some of them, and it looks like they don't want to, but they do want to. I think the children with differences are geniuses of our time.” - Dr. Victoria Waller

Bio… 

For over 40 years, Dr Victoria Waller has been a reading specialist and educational therapist. She helps children ages 5-11 who have trouble reading and writing, can't sit still in class, don't feel like they can participate—children whom teachers have all but given up on.

Her book, Yes! Your Child Can - Creating Success for Children with Learning Differences, is #4 in Amazon’s New Releases in Children’s Learning Disorders. Every child can succeed in school and life, but some children need more help than others. She is here to help.

Dr Waller holds a B.S in Education from Wayne State University, an M.Ed., is a certified reading specialist, and an Ed.D. focusing on reading and learning differences from the University of Cincinnati. 

She has been awarded the University of Cincinnati’s Distinguished Alumna College of Education Award, was one of three finalists for the L.A. Music Center’s Bravo Award for Outstanding Teaching.

Her articles on creative reading and writing projects for children have been widely viewed on U.C.L.A.’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior website, and the award-winning Grandparentslink.com. She speaks about learning differences in children to many groups all over the United States.

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Episode Resources

• Instagram: @DrVictoriaWaller

• FaceBook: @DrVictoriaWaller

• Twitter: @DrVickiWaller

• Website: http://www.drvictoriawaller.com

• Amazon: Yes! Your Child Can: Creating Success for Children with Learning Differences

• Mr Doodles

• Andy Griffiths Books 

• ‘The Week Junior’ magazine 

• Encanto Movie

• #013 Screen time, help! Jocelyn Brewer talks Broccoli & Digital Nutrition

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Join Dr Marnie Cumner to learn more about executive function in gifted, ADHD and autistic kids and adults and get lots of strategies and tips.

Memorable quote… “

“Executive functioning is that term that relates to the set of thinking skills that are responsible for things like planning, organisation, getting started on things, finishing things, regulating your own attention, regulating your own behaviours and emotions. So it's the overarching skills that help to organise us and organise our thinking.” - Dr Marnie Cumner

Bio… 

Dr Marnie Cumner is a Clinical Neuropsychologist on The Sunshine Coast, with specialised training in understanding how brain function affects our everyday thinking and behaviour.

Paediatric Neuropsychology is a professional speciality, which focuses on understanding how the development of a child’s brain relates to their cognitive (thinking), behavioural, social and emotional functioning.

Marnie provides assessment services for children and adolescents to better understand their individual strengths and difficulties.  She investigates thinking skills, such as, memory, attention, language and problem-solving, as well as social-emotional functioning, academic performance and behaviour.

Marnie uses the child’s individual profile of strengths and difficulties to provide tailored recommendations for improved learning, behaviour and emotion regulation.  She uses a strengths-based model, which focuses on using a child’s strengths to minimise their difficulties.

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Episode Resources

• Dr Marnie Cumner’s Website: Sunshine Coast Neuropsychology

• Dr Marnie Cumnres previous episode: #042 How can a Neuropsychologist help my gifted child? with Dr Marnie Cumner

• Book: Executive Function in the Classroom, Practical Strategies for Improving Performance and Enhancing Skills for All Students Author: Christopher Kaufman

• Book: The Smart but Scattered Guide to Success , How to Use Your Brain's Executive Skills to Keep Up, Stay Calm, and Get Organized at Work and at Home Authors: Peg Dawson, Richard Guare

• Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University: A Guide to Executive Function

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Hit play and let’s get started!

In our GAW episode, we’re talking to Dr Deborah Ruf about the 5 Levels of Giftedness and her new book which follows those original children who are now all grown up. 

Memorable quote… “

“So, those are the five levels and you really can find lists of those with lots of details and early milestones and that's how I created it. It was after I looked at the milestones of children over the years and what they were like when they were born and what they were like when they were three months old and six months old, and then a year and then two years, and see what they are like. 

And then later we have scores and we see how those fit or don't fit. And it really is rather amazing how well the scores are in the range you would predict from those milestones.” - Dr Deborah Ruf 

Bio… 

Deborah L. Ruf earned a Ph.D. in Tests & Measurement with a minor in Learning & Cognition at the University of Minnesota.  

She worked as a private consultant and specialist in gifted assessment, test interpretation, and guidance for the gifted for 30 years.   

She is the author of the award-winning book Losing Our Minds: Gifted Children Left Behind (2005) and retitled 5 Levels of Gifted: School Issues and Educational Options in 2009.

In 2023, Dr. Ruf will release her follow-up longitudinal book study of the now-adult children from the original book and how they are doing now.  Her focus has now progressed toward the social and emotional health of the gifted adults who parent gifted children.  

For more than 40 years, Dr. Ruf has served as a keynote speaker, workshop, and conference presenter, and written chapters for 5 textbooks, more than 12 peer-reviewed journal articles, and 100 plus articles and handouts for newsletters, magazines, and websites.

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Episode Resources:

• Dr Deborah Ruf Facebook

• Dr Deborah Ruf Instagram

• Dr Deborah Ruf Website: 5LevelsofGifted

• Her first book - 5 Levels of Gifted: School Issues and Educational Options

• Article by Dr Deborah Ruf about personality types in school

• Personalitypage.com

• Medium - Dr Ruf Articles

• Unleash Monday Episode 16. Designing 145+ IQ tests for hyper gifted children with Femke Hovinga

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Hit play and let’s get started!

In this episode we’re talking to one of our favourite gifted educators and differentiation coach, Stephanie Higgs, about how we can all grow our creativity muscle, especially in our gifted kids. 

Memorable quote… “

“When we broaden that definition of what creativity even looks like, I think a lot more of us fit under that umbrella than we would initially think. And then even those of us who don't feel like it comes as naturally - that's one of the things I'm here to share today, is how we can grow and refine that area of talent.” - Stephanie Higgs

Bio… 

Stephanie Higgs is a passionate, energetic, and engaging educator whose colleagues describe as radiating contagious joy. She has devoted her entire professional life to education, teaching in two of Tennessee’s three grand divisions. 

Stephanie earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she then taught for six years at a museum magnet school and helped students achieve up to three years’ growth in reading in a single year. 

After relocating to Middle Tennessee, Stephanie became a fourth-grade teacher, which had been her dream since she was a fourth grader herself! In 2019, Stephanie became a gifted educator and differentiation coach, where the staff quickly named her their Teacher of the Year before being named a region-level semi-finalist for Tennessee Teacher of the Year. Soon after, Stephanie was honoured with the TAG (Tennessee Association for the Gifted) Horizon Award, which is given to a gifted educator demonstrating promise and leadership in the field. 

Later, Stephanie was named the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) Teacher of the Year. Stephanie recently graduated with an additional graduate degree from Tennessee State University in Instructional Leadership and now serves on the executive board as secretary for the Tennessee Association for the Gifted.

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Free ebook: Top 10 Parenting Hacks for Parenting GIfted Kids

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Episode Resources

• Stephanie Higgs:

• Instagram: @littlemissgifted

• TikTok: @littlemissgiftedteacher

• YouTube: @littlemissgiftedteacher

• Linktree: @littlemissgifted

• Todd Sampson TV Series called Redesign My Brain

• Carly & Adam STEM Teachers Club

• Creativity Calendar: Weekly Activities to Encourage Creativity by Laura Magner. 

• Bob Eberle - Scamper: Creative Games and Activities for Imagination Development (Combined ed., Grades 2-8)

• The book I love but couldn’t remember - POWER OF DIFFERENT: The Link Between Disorder and Genius by Dr Gail Saltz

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Hit play and let’s get started!

In this episode, we’re talking to the vibrant and dynamic Dr Victoria Waller about teaching gifted kids with learning differences. Author, with over 40 years of experience, Dr Waller found the secret to engaging these awesome gifted kids!

Memorable quote… “

“Look at Anderson Cooper, Richard Branson, astronaut Scott Kelly. They call them learning disabilities, but they're not. They're learning differences. They learn differently and they use their strengths and passions to learn. And that's what made them successful.” - Dr Victoria Waller 

Bio… 

For over 40 years, Dr Victoria Waller has been a reading specialist and educational therapist. She helps children ages 5-11 who have trouble reading and writing, can't sit still in class, don't feel like they can participate—children whom teachers have all but given up on.

Her book, Yes! Your Child Can - Creating Success for Children with Learning Differences, is #4 in Amazon’s New Releases in Children’s Learning Disorders. Every child can succeed in school and life, but some children need more help than others. She is here to help.

Dr Waller holds a B.S in Education from Wayne State University, an M.Ed., is a certified reading specialist, and an Ed.D. focusing on reading and learning differences from the University of Cincinnati. 

She has been awarded the University of Cincinnati’s Distinguished Alumna College of Education Award, was one of three finalists for the L.A. Music Center’s Bravo Award for Outstanding Teaching.

Her articles on creative reading and writing projects for children have been widely viewed on U.C.L.A.’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior website, and the award-winning Grandparentslink.com. She speaks about learning differences in children to many groups all over the United States.

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More…

Enjoyed the podcast? Leave us a review! 5 stars will do!

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Love the podcast? Find out how to support the podcast. 

Free ebook: Top 10 Parenting Hacks for Parenting GIfted Kids

Subscribe to our newsletter

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Linktree: @ourgiftedkids

Facebook: @ourgiftedkidsonine 

Free Facebook Group

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Episode Resources

• Instagram: @DrVictoriaWaller

• Facebook: @DrVictoriaWaller

• Twitter: @DrVickiWaller

• Website: http://www.drvictoriawaller.com

• Amazon: Yes! Your Child Can: Creating Success for Children with Learning Differences

• Mr Doodles

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Hit play and let’s get started!

In this episode, our host Sophia Elliott takes us through the big 5 things you need to know about a gifted kids' first year of school. 

1. When should my gifted child go to school?

2. Where should my gifted child go to school?

3. How do I work with the School?

4. What do I need to know about the academic journey?

5. How do we get through the year looking after their social and emotional well-being?

Memorable quote… “

“What are the top five things that we really need to know as parents? 

This episode is kind of like the cliff notes, and maybe that's showing my age. Anyone born after the seventies may not know what Cliff notes are, but back in the day, if you had to do an assignment on a book, but you didn't have time to read the book you would buy a tiny little book called Cliff Notes, which just told you about the book. 

They were great. So this episode's like the Cliff Notes on the previous episodes and all the great things that you need to know about that first year of school and a bunch of extra tips.

So thank you so much for joining us on this.” - Sophia Elliott

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Free ebook: Top 10 Parenting Hacks for Parenting Gifted Kids

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Episode Resources

Parents Guide to Gifted Kids’ First Years of School Series:

• #074 Parents Guide to Gifted Kids’ First Years of School Series #1 Part 1 w/ Emily

• #075 Parents Guide to Gifted Kids’ First Years of School Series #1 Part 2 w/ Emily

• #076 Parents Guide to Gifted Kids’ First Years of School Series #2 Part 1 w/ Stephanie Higgs

• #077 Parents Guide to Gifted Kids’ First Years of School Series #2 Part 2 w/ Stephanie Higgs

• #078 Parents Guide to Gifted Kids’ First Years of School #3, Part 1 w/ Jess Farago

• #079 Parents Guide to Gifted Kids’ First Years of School #3, Part 2 w/ Jess Farago

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Hit play and let’s get started!

We're talking to Jess Farago, a provisional psychologist, and mum of a gifted child this week and today Part 2 of that conversation goes out.

In this episode Jess shares how the second half of her son's first year of school went and all the tips and tricks she's discovered along the way.

Memorable quote… “

"I like to do things with people and socialise and hang out with friends but I also found when we spent our holidays with more downtime than social time, it was so much better for him.

I saw a different child starting one term when spent the last week of holidays doing nothing.

We just hung out at home. Took the dog for a walk, hung out with family, and caught up with a couple of friends, but it was a really low-key break.

He went back so refreshed." - Jess Farago

Bio… 

Jess Farago is the mum of a gifted son; a 5-year-old who has recently completed his first year of primary school. 

In addition, Jess is a provisional psychologist who has a passion for neurodivergence and understanding the gifted and neurodiverse brain and behaviour. 

Jess observed differences between her son and other children when her son was a baby, and it was drawn to her attention by professionals, that her son might be gifted and to monitor it. Therefore, the journey of extensive gifted research, reading, understanding and ongoing observation began. 

Jess has found the path of being a mum to a gifted child filled with so much joy, however, it has not been easy and is exhausting.

Some of the most challenging parts for Jess over the last 5 years has been with the stigma attached to the word 'gifted'. For years she felt isolated and that there was little to no support out there. But that didn't stop Jess from ensuring her son received as much support as possible wherever he went and that she advocated for him. This is where Jess found navigating the mainstream school system a challenge. 

Jess has good knowledge of the education system having worked in the school system and has been faced with some very positive experiences, however, there have been some big challenges in the mainstream school setting concerning her son. 

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More…

Enjoyed the podcast? Leave us a review! 5 stars will do!

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Love the podcast? Find out how to support the podcast. 

Free ebook: Top 10 Parenting Hacks for Parenting GIfted Kids

Subscribe to our newsletter

- - - -

Join our community

- - - -

Linktree: @ourgiftedkids

Facebook: @ourgiftedkidsonine 

Free Facebook Group

Instagram: @ourgiftedkids

Sponsor this podcast  

- - - -

Hit play and let’s get started!

We're talking to Jess Farago, a provisional psychologist, and mum of a gifted child this week and today Part 2 of that conversation goes out.

In this episode Jess shares how the second half of her son's first year of school went and all the tips and tricks she's discovered along the way.

Memorable quote… “

"I like to do things with people and socialise and hang out with friends but I also found when we spent our holidays with more downtime than social time, it was so much better for him.

I saw a different child starting one term when spent the last week of holidays doing nothing.

We just hung out at home. Took the dog for a walk, hung out with family, and caught up with a couple of friends, but it was a really low-key break.

He went back so refreshed." - Jess Farago

Bio… 

Jess Farago is the mum of a gifted son; a 5-year-old who has recently completed his first year of primary school. 

In addition, Jess is a provisional psychologist who has a passion for neurodivergence and understanding the gifted and neurodiverse brain and behaviour. 

Jess observed differences between her son and other children when her son was a baby, and it was drawn to her attention by professionals, that her son might be gifted and to monitor it. Therefore, the journey of extensive gifted research, reading, understanding and ongoing observation began. 

Jess has found the path of being a mum to a gifted child filled with so much joy, however, it has not been easy and is exhausting.

Some of the most challenging parts for Jess over the last 5 years has been with the stigma attached to the word 'gifted'. For years she felt isolated and that there was little to no support out there. But that didn't stop Jess from ensuring her son received as much support as possible wherever he went and that she advocated for him. This is where Jess found navigating the mainstream school system a challenge. 

Jess has good knowledge of the education system having worked in the school system and has been faced with some very positive experiences, however, there have been some big challenges in the mainstream school setting concerning her son. 

- - - -

More…

Enjoyed the podcast? Leave us a review! 5 stars will do!

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Love the podcast? Find out how to support the podcast. 

Free ebook: Top 10 Parenting Hacks for Parenting GIfted Kids

Subscribe to our newsletter

- - - -

Join our community

- - - -

Linktree: @ourgiftedkids

Facebook: @ourgiftedkidsonine 

Free Facebook Group

Instagram: @ourgiftedkids

Sponsor this podcast  

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Hit play and let’s get started!