This exactly, and your other comment as well. They really do need to read theory. I think something that happens is that kids that get labeled as gifted often have any underlying neurodivergence swept under the rug in the name of the meritocratic myth: if my kid is the pinnacle then they can't be "sick" too. It's an awful way to try and comprehend neurodivergence but I think it's prevalent. Giftedness often means "whatever amalgamation of effects that causes a five year old to perform exceedingly well on a measure of cultural fit and knowledge + pattern matching." Even the fast tracking to college is expressed as a commodification and dehumanization of the kid in question. It rarely yields any real help to them, beyond increasing social isolation.
This exactly, and your other comment as well. They really do need to read theory. I think something that happens is that kids that get labeled as gifted often have any underlying neurodivergence swept under the rug in the name of the meritocratic myth: if my kid is the pinnacle then they can't be "sick" too. It's an awful way to try and comprehend neurodivergence but I think it's prevalent. Giftedness often means "whatever amalgamation of effects that causes a five year old to perform exceedingly well on a measure of cultural fit and knowledge + pattern matching." Even the fast tracking to college is expressed as a commodification and dehumanization of the kid in question. It rarely yields any real help to them, beyond increasing social isolation.
I agree 100%!