Following gifted children into adulthood

Labelling children as gifted can lead to difficulties in their emotional functioning. This is one of the findings that was presented by Professor Joan Freeman at The British Psychological Society 's joint Developmental and Education Sections' Conference in September 2001, at University College, Worcester.

Twenty-seven years ago, Professor Freeman began a unique in-depth study following more than 200 children aged between five and 14 years into adulthood.

Children recognised as gifted whose parents belonged to the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) were matched up with equal ability but unlabelled gifted children whose parents were not members.

Both groups were compared with their classmates as they grew up. Interviews and observations were made of the young people's intellectual, artistic and emotional life.

Parents of children labelled as gifted were often found to have expectations of their 'odd behaviour' and unhappiness, and so often it was true, though not for the unlabelled - equally able - gifted children. But for great achievement in life, gifted children need concentration, memory, keenness, hard work, allied with opportunity and a stable home.

Professor Freeman says, 'All long-term studies on the development of exceptional talent have shown cumulative effects of the interaction of family attitudes with the gifted child. The family is the root of real-life achievements for the gifted.'