Can anyone here who is deaf relate to having been in a special class for children who were deemed 'gifted'?
I am 33, profoundly deaf, and was mainstreamed with hearing kids for most of my childhood. In kindergarten, I was placed in a special program for children who performed exceptionally at I.Q. testing (often WAIS-C) that many schools often require of children who have any form of 'disability' (sue me). I was the only one in this 'gifted' class until third grade, when a new hearing kid finally tested high enough to qualify for the program and joined my class. The program was called TAG (Talented and Gifted). As I was bounced between four school districts from elementary to high school, I discovered that the gifted program had different names at each school - GT (Gifted and Talented), ELC (Enhanced Learning Center), and IS (Independent Study).
In eleventh grade, I ended up attending Kansas School for the Deaf (which is another story) and discovered the lack of a program for 'gifted' students there. Interestingly, KSD did administer the adult version of the WAIS I.Q. test. My test result unfortunately generated alot of hype and high expectations on campus: after recommending that I take classes in community college instead, they would later learn that I was actually a homework-hating underachiever who didn't give a rat's ass about school.
In case you've gotten serious douche chills following me up to this point, I'll have you know that I believe the notion of I.Q. (as determined by a sanctioned test such as the WAIS) is questionable, as there are many different types of intelligences. I do not personally rely on an I.Q. test result to validate myself in any way - I do not think of myself as 'smarter' or 'better' than anyone. Everyone is exceptional in their own way!
However, I do know that I am 'different' - I possess an array of traits and mannerisms that are commonly attributed to what they call a 'gifted' person. Even though I can pull off some pretty impressive stunts, not all of these qualities are beneficial or even desireable. 'Gifted' people do have shortcomings that cripple their ability to function in certain ways in a social or educational setting. It's like how every comic book superhero has a counterbalancing vulnerability. I'm vulnerable to 'kryptonite' too!
Being deaf didn't help any - I had spent most of my life wrongly attributing certain differences to my hearing loss. Even my family and friends were convinced that my hearing loss was the explanation for certain idiosyncrasies of mine. However, I always knew deep down inside that something didn't add up - that I was 'different' from the other deaf or hard of hearing kids. I could never fully determine exactly 'how' I was different.
I did not truly understand myself until I was well into adulthood, when I came across up-to-date information on the virtues and vices of being 'gifted' on the web. It was a moment of awakening for me - I finally had a clear idea of who I am, and what I am capable of. I was a late bloomer. During my time back in the late 70's, the gifted program in public schools was newly established & 'giftedness' was not as fully understood as it is now. Nowadays, children who enter the program are better taught to identify and handle their differences. Many gifted children actually have unique issues that need to be addressed in order to maximize their potential, otherwise they will likely fail in school and possibly at life.
Being both deaf and 'gifted' is a very interesting condition. It brings up interesting questions, like: how do deaf institutions deal with students who meet the criteria for giftedness, and are they properly addressing their needs? As I mentioned previously, Kansas School for the Deaf did not have a gifted program, though they did administer I.Q. tests to their students. I'm guessing that most, if not all, deaf institutions do not properly address the needs of these exceptional deaf kids, and consequently, many of them may become as conflicted as I once was during the course of their childhood education and ultimately, life. There's also a doubtful possibility that once a 'gifted' deaf child is identified, a recommendation is made to place the child in public school instead.
So, any deafies out there like myself, who have been through this experience? I know that I am not alone in this world - there apparently are some very smart people on this site!