I just recently finished reading Ungifted, by cognitive psychologist, Scott Barry Kaufman, and would highly recommend it for parents of any student with learning differences. As a Special Education Teacher, I really appreciated how Kaufman recognizes the many different types of intelligence and talents that children with learning differences can have.
Told from first person point of view, Kaufman tells how he felt as a child and teen labeled with learning disabilities in addition to interspersing his experience with research. He describes the misguided way we interpret traditional measures of intelligence. In addition, he explores the latest research in genetics and neuroscience, as well as evolutionary, developmental, social, positive, and cognitive psychology, to challenge the conventional wisdom about the childhood predictors of adult success.
He reveals that there are many paths to greatness, and argues for a more holistic approach to achievement that takes into account each young person’s personal goals, individual psychology, and developmental trajectory. In so doing, he increases our appreciation for the intelligence and diverse strengths of prodigies, savants, and late bloomers, as well as those with dyslexia, autism, schizophrenia, and ADHD.
Ungifted will inspire you to rethink and recognize that even those without readily observable gifts can achieve and contribute to society in unbelievable ways.
