Discussion on the implications of the term “giftedness”

Balanced research and practice

The “German Association for Gifted Children” (“DGhK”) offers advice to professionals and especially parents.Our Association has been founded on the model of the british NAGC, now Potential Plus UK. We all are members of the HELP network - which promotes the term ‘High Learning Potential’ instead of words such as ‘gifted’ and ‘highly able’.We have been talking to educational and psychological scientists from our advisory board and members of HELP network, Potential Plus UK, the Potential Trust, the Dutch Koepel Hoogbegaafdheid (Umbrella of Giftedness) and Peers4Parents.Together, we would like to discuss- what is it, that the term ‘giftedness’ does to people?- the use of ‘potential’ vs. ‘giftedness’- how to offer a dynamic view of giftedness- how to address the needs of HLP children and their families- the mission of parents associationsDGhK (German Association for Gifted Children)Britta Weinbrandt, Madeleine Majunke