It is possible to have gifted children with learning disabilities. Yes, it seems like it is impossible, because how can a kid be gifted and unable to learn at the same time? Well, the contradiction between these two concepts is only seeming. Let us take a deep look at the matter.
The problem with gifted children with learning disabilities is that in our society the traditional way of learning and developing is a book way. We go to school, we study books, read, memorize, etc. That is how most of us learn. However, even though this is the traditional and most widely spread way to learn, it is not the only one.
In our society people who cannot learn well in schools are considered disable to learn and develop. However, it is obvious that gifted children with learning disabilities have discovered other ways of learning, developing, acquiring information and expressing themselves. For instance, Einstein said that he never memorized the facts he could find in a book. He freed his mind for thoughts, not for facts.
Some kids cannot learn from reading or studying in a classic manner. They learn from action, from experience, from body movements. Other gifted children with learning disabilities learn from impressions. They perceive the world through their feelings and impressions. Some kids are often times very gifted in math or computer programming. They cannot study and learn things from books, but they can learn by numbers or by developing a chain of knowledge and experiences.
Obviously, standard methods of teaching cannot be used for all kids. In fact, many kids, who do not study well in school, later on achieve great success in life. They build great companies, like Henry Ford, who could hardly read, or they become famous artists and even scientists.
Recognizing the Needs of Gifted Students
