Child with high potential, knowing how to identify him to better support him

How do you define "high potential"?

Also called gifted or precocious, the “high potential” child has an IQ of 130 or more, validated by Wisc V (test for 6-17 year olds).

He is distinguished by a non-linear way of thinking, called “tree structure”, often dazzling, and he never reasons by going from point A to point B, hence the difficulty in following school instructions.

He is hypersensitive, on edge, and sometimes encounters relationship difficulties.

His senses (sight, smell, etc.) are often heightened.

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Are there any associated disorders (dys, adhd, etc.)?

Often, this child suffers from dyslexia, dysgraphia (difficulty forming letters), dyspraxia (great clumsiness) or attention disorders with or without hyperactivity.

It happens that this lack of concentration is already the beginning of dropping out due to boredom.

According to figures, a third of precocious children fail at school.

In video, the brain of children addicted to screens seems modified

How to accompany it?

Faced with this skilled negotiator, you have to maintain a firm framework (knowing how to say “stop” to their argument, remain consistent).

We can help him develop social and emotional skills by decoding social codes for him.

Do not overload it with activities, but favor creative hobbies (including scientific ones).

Don't waste an opportunity to point out the positive.

A third of precocious children fail at school

Nathalie Favre, psychotherapist

Does he need a specialized institution?

If the child is happy academically, it is better to leave him in the normal course, favoring a class jump if necessary.

Specific structures (“high potential” class within an establishment or specialized college outside the contract) are recommended when he is at the very beginning of dropping out.

These are parentheses intended to allow him to hang up.

(1) Co-author with Béatrice Lorant of

, (Leduc.s Pratique), 192 pages, 16 euros.

More information on www.coachlavie.com.