PG Retreat 2009 Presentations included 2009 Parents' program and:

Madame Curie
KEYNOTE

Description

Busy Kids = Busy Parents = Busy Lives = HELP!
Presentation by Michele Kane and Dan Tichenor

Although most adults are bombarded with labor saving devices, it seems that the sheer number of these devices have added to consuming our time (honest, how much time do you spend answering email?). Add one, two or more very gifted children to the mix and life becomes very complex. Alfie Kohn likens the modern family to Grand Central Station where each person comes in from a different train and they meet in the Station for refueling only to later check the board to see where and when they will leave next. We all know that balance is key but how does it happen? This interactive discussion will be facilitated by a Mom and Dad of six gifted adult children who somehow survived. Dan Tichenor will facilitate the Dad's group and Michele Kane will facilitate the Mom's group. Our goal is to gather strategies that work from each other while discussing issues and problems that may be gender specific.

PG Retreat 2008 Presentations

Managing Intensity, Perfectionism, and Stress
KEYNOTE by Edward Amend

Intensity and perfectionism are common among the gifted. This talk focuses on how these typical characteristics of gifted can lead to undue stress and depression. More importantly, Dr. Amend will focus on strategies to manage stress and perfectionist tendencies by channeling these in positive ways. Monitoring self-talk, managing depression, and developing resilience will be discussed.

Reading the Ripples: A New Window on the Universe
KEYNOTE by Patricia Purdue

This presentation will describe what gravitational waves are, where they originate, how they are detected, and why physicists and astronomers are so interested in them. In brief, scientists believe that gravitational waves are emitted by astronomical objects such as black holes, neutron stars, and supernovae. Gravitational waves from these objects carry information that cannot be acquired through existing astronomical methods. Consequently, the observation of gravitational waves represents a completely new form of astronomy, which may revolutionize our understanding of physics and the universe.

Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children
Presentation by Edward Amend

This session offers an overview of common misdiagnoses of gifted and talented individuals. Misdiagnosis most frequently occurs when professionals mistakenly view specific social and emotional characteristics of gifted individuals as signs of pathology. Dr Amend will focus on behavior patterns that lead to misdiagnosis and the relationship between giftedness and clinical syndrome.

Communication Skills Topic
Presentation by Annette Sheely

The Challenge of Living with Asynchrony
Presentation by Barbara Mitchell Hutton

Accepting asynchrony as a fundamental aspect of advanced development is essential for optimal emotional, intellectual, spiritual and social development as well as understanding of the Self. Explore the unique challenges created by the asynchronous development hardwired into gifted children and adults. Through examples from 17 years at Rocky Mountain School, increase your understanding and recognition of this phenomenon and develop strategies for advocating for and supporting those who struggle with the consequences of asynchrony.

Preparing Your Teen for the Future
Presentation by Michele Kane

Guiding profoundly gifted children can be a daunting task as they begin to explore careers and life paths. Future career selection becomes more difficult when weighing factors such a multi-potentiality, changing world views (globalization/the world is flat), temperament, gender (balancing home/work issues) and the expectations of self and others. Perceived feelings of responsibility for lifework that will change the course of humanity may be an additional concern for these very capable young people. This interactive discussion will center on some of the issues in career exploration and career counseling for the gifted as well as some recommendations for resources to help with making informed decisions. Guiding questions or topics to be addressed are welcomed by the facilitator before the retreat so that appropriate resources are available to be shared.

Bringing Your PG Kids Home — For School
Presentation by Allie Golon

Our beloved Betty Maxwell once told me, when my oldest son was just four, that I would need to homeschool him in order to meet his advanced intellectual ability and need for challenge. My response? "Pull every one of my teeth out first!" Two years later, following disappointments and near disasters at more schools than I can remember, found us bringing our PG children home for school. How does your life change when you are suddenly the principal, curriculum coordinator, nurse, chef, teacher, coach and parent all in one? In this session, I'll share what worked and what didn't during the six+ years our family homeschooled. We'll discuss how best to plan your school-at-home, what it means for your lifestyle, unschooling, socialization issues (are there any?) of homeschooled kids, resources for gifted homeschoolers, acceleration options, distance learning, and more.

Dealing with Loss
Presentation by Michele Kane

Every life is filled with potholes…some are small bumps but others can bring about significant feelings of sadness, anxiety, and even depression. Sometimes there are relationship losses like divorce, loss of friendships, or the loss of relationship(s) by leaving a special teacher or mentor. There are also losses such as moving from one space to another (classroom or home or location) or losing other aspects of one's environmental space. Permanent losses may take more time for adjustments such as loss of a special person or pet through death. Moving from childhood to adolescence or making a career selection are life passages which may signal the death of dreams. Each of these aspects of loss has the potential to create an opportunity for a significant life change. The literature on resilience as well as Positive Psychology and Dabrowski's Theory of Positive Disintegration offer some suggestions for reframing these negative emotional events into potential for personal growth. Strategies for dealing with stress as well as coping strategies will be shared during this session.

New Developments in Testing for PG Kids
Presentation by Linda Silverman

On January 23, 2008, the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) posted a position statement on the "Use of the WISC-IV for Gifted Identification," based on research, indicating that the Full Scale IQ is not the best measure of intelligence. February 7th Pearson (Harcourt) Assessments posted an extended norm table for the WISC-IV with a maximum IQ score of 210. This presentation will address the ramifications of these new developments in the assessment of PG and twice exceptional children, in particular will explore: Verbal Comprehension Index, Perceptual Reasoning Index, and General Ability Index, in order to help parents better utilize the information gleaned from testing.

Raising and/or Growing Up a Gifted Girl
Presentation by Annette Sheely and Patricia Purdue

Busy Kids = Busy Parents = Busy Lives = HELP!
Presentation by Michele Kane and Dan Tichenor

Although most adults are bombarded with labor saving devices, it seems that the sheer number of these devices have added to consuming our time (honest, how much time do you spend answering email?). Add one, two or more very gifted children to the mix and life becomes very complex. Alfie Kohn likens the modern family to Grand Central Station where each person comes in from a different train and they meet in the Station for refueling only to later check the board to see where and when they will leave next. We all know that balance is key but how does it happen? This interactive discussion will be facilitated by a Mom and Dad of six gifted adult children who somehow survived. Dan Tichenor will facilitate the Dad's group and Michele Kane will facilitate the Mom's group. Our goal is to gather strategies that work from each other while discussing issues and problems that may be gender specific.

Kinship Art – An Experiential Art Workshop for Parents and Children
Catherine Zakoian

Children and their caregivers will have opportunity through facilitate individual and shared art-making experience to explore, express, authentically strengthen and honor who they are as individuals and how they fit together as family. Additionally, special focus on harmonious family communication as well as tending your child's creative fire.

The workshop is open to up to twelve families (with children ages six to eighteen). Each family grouping must have at least one parent and one child. For those interested, there will also be a parent & caregiver circle after the workshop to discuss & debrief the workshop experience to allow for further parental integration and mastery of principals explored. No art experience necessary. All materials provided. Participants should bring water, a sunhat/sunscreen, and an art shirt or smock, if desired.

PG Retreat 2007 Presentations

PRESENTATIONS FOR PARENTS

Staying Safe in Cyberspace:
Tips and Tools for Parents of PG Internet Users

Presentation by Caroline K. and Annette Sheely

Most children today are growing up using the Internet for educational and entertainment purposes. While this amazing network has enhanced our lives in so many ways, it can also be a treacherous place for a child without supervision. This presentation is designed for parents who want up-to-date tips and tools for keeping their children safe on the internet. Carolyn K. of Hoagies' Gifted Education Page has a wealth of information to share on this topic, based on her experience as both a parent of PG children and as a Webmaster. Annette Sheely will show parents (with screen shots) specifically how parents can help keep their children safe on MySpace.com.

The Kids Are Alright:
What's Normal, What's Not, When We're Talking PG

Presentation by Michele Kane and Annette Sheely

Parenting PG children can be a surprising, fun, intense, and lonely journey. With few other parents to talk to who understand the unique issues of these children, it's hard to know what's "normal" for these kiddos. And very few medical and mental health professionals have training in the area of giftedness, let alone profound giftedness, so PG children are at risk for being misdiagnosed with mental disorders. Learn about the most common mental health diagnoses and misdiagnoses of PG children and how to tell if your child does indeed need some extra support. And finally, as a group, we will all look at and discuss how to "let go" in healthy ways while providing support in the process.

"I Can Barely Handle Her Being PG at School,
But I'm Not Ready For Her to be PG in Dating!"
(Issues of Dating and Sex for Parents of PG Children and Teens — Yikes!)

Presentation by Annette Sheely and Michele Kane

Fortunately, there are a few books and articles about how to help your PG child in school. We're told that Radical Acceleration is often a good educational option, as is Early Entrance in College. But then, when your child is mixed in with much older students, how do you handle it when your 15-year-old daughter says her "true peer" is the 26-year-old man she wants to date? Join us for a conversation about talking to your teen regarding sensitive topics such as dating and sexual identity while maintaining clear boundaries and a sense of personal/family ethics.

Living with Intensity and Deepening Soul:
Enhancing the Inner Life

Presentation by Michele Kane

Many gifted children are keenly aware of the social problems of the world and want to work to make changes. They experience injustices keenly and desire to make a difference. They see the result of natural and man-made disasters on the planet and have ideas of how to help. These gifted students need the guidance and support of adults to help them develop and foster their spiritual and compassionate natures.

Ethical and moral considerations are of deep concern for many highly gifted children. Sensitivity, intensity, and perfectionism lend to an increased awareness of self and others. The pain of the world can be a tremendous burden, while also trying to understand those that seem indifferent or cynical. The work of Dabrowski, Piechowski and Roeper provide some clarity in seeking to find a framework for "living in a higher key." Recognizing the difficulties highly gifted children experience as well as providing support are important aspects of the parenting process.

This session will provide resources from the literature along with suggestions to encourage the development of the inner lives of gifted kids who care. Case studies will be presented along with the characteristics of those people who demonstrate lives of emotional and/or spiritual giftedness.

Round-Table Panel Discussion

with Parent Leaders and Speaker Input

The various speaker presentations will provoke questions and ideas that we can discuss more thoroughly. Some of the ideas for our round-table panel discussion include:

• motivation
  
• friendship
  
• perfectionism
  
• introversion/extraversion
  
• dealing with stress

PRESENTATIONS FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS

Listen to My Story
Outdoor discussion on Saturday, aimed at older children and teens

Discussion facilitated by Michele Kane and Annette Sheely

Each one of us has a story to tell. We figure out who we are while exploring different aspects of our Self, including the social, physical, intellectual, creative, emotional and spiritual parts. This discussion group will combine individual creative (and fun!) exercises as well as storytelling and imagery to explore these parts of our Selves more fully. Each person will have the opportunity to share his/her personal story as the group participates in deep listening.

PG Teens and the Birds and the Bees:
Discussing Issues of Attraction, Dating, Gender Roles, and Sex for the
Asynchronous Adolescent and Young Adult

Discussion Facilitated by Annette Sheely and Michele Kane

When you were in elementary school and you were assessed as being several years mentally advanced, your folks probably worked hard to get the right level of academic material for you. (Hey, by the way, have you thanked them yet for that? Today might be a good day to do that. Just a suggestion.) Now that you're a teen, being asynchronous is a little more complicated now, isn't it? Join our discussion and hear how other PG teens cope (and even thrive) as they deal with these seldom discussed topics: romantic attraction, dating, gender roles, and sex. All who participate in this discussion will be asked to keep other people's stories confidential.