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News and Events
June, 2005
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Misuse of AD/HD Stimulants. In his May 11th issue of “Attention Research Update,” Dr. David Rabiner reviewed a large-scale study on the misuse of stimulant medications among students in middle school and high school. Results were based on 1,536 responses to an anonymous, web-based survey in a Midwestern public school district. The study found that about a quarter of those on presecription stimulants reported being approached to sell, give away, or trade their medication; high school students and females were those most likely to be approached. And of those taking prescribed stimulants, about a quarter reported illicit use of stimulant medication – either misusing their own or taking other stimulants in addition. Rabiner’s conclusions: parents and educators must be aware of the potential for misuse of prescribed medications, and also must educate children and teens about what to do if others approach them for prescribed stimulant medication.
AD/HD Patch Coming? A drug company press release in May described the results of a study involving a low-dose skin patch that releases the stimulant used in Concerta and Ritalin. The study tested the effectiveness of the patch alone or in combination with behavioral modification therapy. Findings showed that the combination was most effective in improving behavior and also required less medication. Lower doses reduce side effects such as loss of appetite. Shire Pharmaceuticals will seek FDA approval for the MPH patch in 2006.
New Digs for Bridges Academy. This spring, Bridges Academy, a Los Angeles-area school for twice-exceptional students, moved into facilities designed especially for them. Watch future issues of 2e Newsletter for a profile of the academy.
From the Davidson Institute. Parents and educators who deal with twice-exceptional children will find plenty of resources through the Davidson Institute for Talent Development. Founded by software entrepreneurs Jan and Bob Davidson, the Institute offers programs and services to support profoundly intelligent children and adolescents, their families, and the educational community. One program is Davidson Young Scholars, a program aimed at nurturing profoundly intelligent children aged 4 through 18. The Institute recently reported that 650 young people now participate in that program. Visitors to www.ditd.org will find information about the programs along with articles and other resources; check the “twice-exceptional” articles section. 2e Newsletter profiled the Institute in our October, 2004, issue.
A New IDEA. Revisions to the Individuals wtih Disabilities in Education Act go into effect July 1st. Watch 2e Newsletter for further information on what the revisions mean for 2e students and families.
GDC Tours and Publishes. In March Linda Silverman and Alexandra Golon of the Gifted Development Center went on a speaking tour of Australia and New Zealand. Linda Silverman shared their experiences with 2e Newsletter:
We visited Auckland and Christchurch in New Zealand and Brisbane, Canberra, Sidney, and Melbourne in Australia. I talked with tons of 2e parents everywhere – we had packed houses. We did day-long workshops with teachers, and Allie worked with parents and kids.
There is tremendous interest in the topics of twice exceptional and visual/spatial in Australia. It’s “Visual/spatial Central”! Why is there so much interest? Maybe it’s because noise levels are high in Australian cities and schools. They don’t seem to have good acoustics. Plus, the layout of the cities is crazy! The addresses on one side of the street don’t necessarily match those on other side. People need to depend on visual/spatial abilities there.
A large number of 2e kids are aboriginal – Maori Pacific Islanders. They tend to think holistically, and many of the children suffer from chronic ear infections. They have difficulty with the same things that our 2e students do here – handwriting, timed tests, spelling, reading by means of phonics – all methods that don’t suit them well.
In Australia, they don’t recognize learning disabilities. The only way to get services is to get an Asperger’s diagnosis. So Asperger’s is a common label.
It’s hard to get accommodations for students in Australia and New Zealand. The parents over there were very interested in our strategies and recommendations.
The Gifted Development Center has other news besides the “tour.” Allie Golan has a new book coming out. Here’s what she says.
If You Could See the Way I Think: A Handbook for Visual-Spatial Kids is based on my work with over 120 visual-spatial children, ages seven to thirteen, in three different countries. The book is aimed at visual-spatial students, gifted and non-gifted, ages eight through twelve. It offers proven techniques for success in areas that these children, regardless of intellectual ability, often struggle with: spelling, memorizing times tables, handwriting, taking timed tests, getting and staying organized, taking notes, focusing during auditory lectures, self-advocacy, and sleep issues.
Readers can stay tuned to www.visualspatial.org for word on a release date, or they can ask to be added to my “Notify Me When” list at www.gifteddevelopment.com.
June 30 to July 3, 2005, PG Retreat ‘05, Denver, Colorado. For families with profoundly gifted children. By the Gifted Development Center, www.gifteddevelopment.com.
July 8-10, 2005, 22nd SENG Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico. For educators, parents, mental health professionals, gifted adults, gifted children. By Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted, 773.857.6250 or www.sengifted.org.
July 24-29, 2005, Gifted and Talented Edufest, Boise, Idaho. For educators, parents (Parents’ Day July 23) and counselors (School Psychologist and Counselors’ Institute July 25). In collaboration with the Council on Exceptional Children’s Gifted and Talented Division and ITAG/SAGE. See www.edufest.org or 208.344.1761.
August 3-7, 2005, Gifted Child 2005/16th Biennial World Conference, New Orleans. By the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children, 818.368.7501 or www.WorldGifted.org.
October 20-22, 2005, New England Conference on Gifted and Talented Education, Killington, Vermont. For educators, parents, and other advocates of gifted children. See www.necgt.org.
November 3-5, 2005, NAGC’s 52nd Annual Convention, Louisville, Kentucky. For educators, other professionals, parents. By the National Association for Gifted Children, www.nagc.org or 202.785.4286.
For state association conferences relating to giftedness, see www.hoagiesgifted.org/conferences.htm on Hoagies’ website. For additional conferences on learning differences, see www.sped.cec.org/pd/meet.html on the website of the Council for Exceptional Children.
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