Common Misdiagnoses and Dual Diagnoses

GIFTED in FRANCE
October 7, 2011
Not all who wander are lost.
~J.R.R. Tolkien

Dear Friends,

Please join us for a viewing of Dr. Webb’s webinar on common misdiagnoses of gifted children and adults. Bring along your partners, pass the word to your teachers, administrators, health care professionals and others helping your children. This is one of my favorite discussions on the subject gifted, talented and twice-exceptional children.  

Space is limited, RSVP is always mandatory in advance.

Common Misdiagnoses and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults.

90-minute Recorded Webinar Presentation
by James T. Webb, PhD

Thursday October 20, 2011 – Two presentations, choose one.

Midday   11h30-14h00 (bring your lunch)
Evening  19h30-22h00 (bring a light snack for the table)

RSVP: Deadline mandatory by October 16.
Email: giftedinfrance@gmail.com, Subject: Misdiagnoses. 
Please specify which time you are attending.  Space is limited to 20.
Cost: Free for GiF members and Message members, 10 euros for non-members. 
(Checks payable to Gifted in France).

Description of the webinar, presented in PowerPoint format.

“Because they lack training, mental health professionals are misdiagnosing gifted and talented children and adults as having mental disorders. The characteristics of gifted/talented children and adults - particularly if not understood at school, home, or work - often are mistaken for significant behavioral or emotional problems that can be misdiagnosed as Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Conduct Disorder, or Bi-Polar Disorder... Parents and educators, therefore, must become more informed about these issues. 

However, for other children and adults, their giftedness is related, but often overlooked, for diagnoses that are accurate such as Existential Depression, Bi-Polar, Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder, Sleep Disorders or Multiple Personality Disorder. That is, these children and adults do indeed have dual diagnoses - giftedness and some disorder. It is important that the aspects related to giftedness not be overlooked or misunderstood by professionals.

This session provides information to help parents, educators, and health care professionals understand how they can differentiate gifted behaviors from behavioral pathology. Dr. Webb will describe commonalities and contrasts between the characteristics of gifted children and adults and the behaviors described in the DSM-IV that are used by mental health professionals to make differential diagnoses. In addition, Dr. Webb will discuss dual diagnoses and how treatment approaches with gifted children and adults often need to be modified.”

Related article: Counseling, Multiple Exceptionality, and Psychological Issues

About  Dr. Webb:  

“Dr. James T. Webb founded SENG in 1981, and is the lead author of award winning books including Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults, Guiding the Gifted Child, A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children, Grandparent's Guide to Gifted Children, and Gifted Parent Groups: The SENG Model. He was previously President of the American Association for Gifted Children, on the board of directors for the National Association for Gifted Children, President of the Ohio Psychological Association, and a member of the Council of Representatives of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Webb was recognized as one of the 25 most influential psychologists in a national survey published in Gifted Child Today.”  This webinar is a production by SENG.

Gifted in France is a loi 1901 non-profit association. GiF does not endorse speakers or their material, but aims to provide a wide variety of ideas and discussions about the gifted and twice exceptional population.

More meetings for adults and activities for kids coming up soon.

Best regards,

Helen Sahin Connelly
President, Gifted in France
giftedinfrance.blogspot.com
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