Why gifted may not be what you think: Michelle Barmazel at TEDxHGSE

Stanford Business School graduate and current Harvard KennedySchool MC/MPA Candidate shedding new light on gifted education.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[cadeehaugsness]

I am in gifted and whenever I have to do a math problem on the board in front of class I overthink everything and everyone asks why I answered everything but the question

[simbahaijulikani]

This line of reasoning is very valid and worth considering. That is to say, we must see those who may defined as gifted as individual with special needs.

[Rasheens-Story]

Oh my God you describe my personality as a child 🥺 I remember a lot of bright lights whenever I try to remember a past memory

[PamelaButtafly]

I can relate.... You end up feeling like an Outsider. Silly people ridicule what they don't understand, and call you different. Sad ppl

[academyforintelligentminds]

Very interesting indeed. Affirming the vulnerability of these special group as well as highlighting the diverse dimensions of which a 'gifted' individual may affected. Well done.

[normalizedinsanity]

This happened to me I have HSP (extrovert) and Irlens syndrome...took 56 years to get it right, and have been through hell dealing with arrogant inept idiots that thought I was too stupid to understand how I felt and that it was all in my head.

[savvyhistory]

As someone with a gifted education background, I really resonate with this speech. It is well done and addresses many sticky topics tactfully.

[wordart_guian]

At times I Just wish giftedness was not such a taboo. I wish i wasn't supposed to feel guilty of thriving. I wish "society" wouldn't dismiss us as "bragging" when we really are not, and also dismiss us when we're complaining about our very real problem. When I entered middle School I had high hopes. I hoped in the School I was going to I would be actually able to make real friends, because There would be other kids like me, and they would understand me, and the teachers would too.
I was told I was wrong, That I had absurd expectations, That others gifted kids were well integrated, That Giftedness doesn't really matter except for getting good grades and good grades are undeserved when you're gifted, That I was privilèged, That my comportment was wrong, That I was annoying and That no one cared about my "uninteresting" interests. That I should make an effort to be normal like everyone else, and That I should pass unremarked. I was bullied. Nah, harassed. Bullied is not strong enough of a term. Bullies told me I was alone, friendless, and That I should kill myself already. What I've lived through no one should have to live it.I'm in 12th grade, and I've just discovered I'd been lied to. That I wasted 5 years of my life believing lies. I discovered many other kids in my class were gifted, That they were my friends, and That they were definitely as quirky and socially awkward as me, because quirks and awkwardness come from overexcitablities, dyssynchronia and think process différences, and are characteristics of giftedness. That giftedness definitely matters in life, and That you Can talk about it with concerned friends. That they all have actually interesting interests That they talk about when between them, and That they really are more than the "normal Person" façade they put on. That we are actually sharing jokes together, That I get them and That they Are actually funny. That most of them were bullied in middle School, because of their différences, and thought they were the only ones because that's what they were told. That they told the teacher once they were happy That I was finally talking to them. I discovered I was not uninteresting as I was told. That I can actually have friends. And That I didn't have to adapt one bit to "the Real world", because Real friends only like the Real you. With quirks and all.This Is knowledge no gifted Child should be denied.

[Kor]

I was coded with a learning disability when I was a child, despite acing tests after I appeared to be playing rocket ship with my pencil during lessons. No one identified me as a gifted child or a 2e child, I didn't know I was a gifted child until my 30s, and I just discovered the term twice exceptional at 42 years of age. How has this knowledge evaded me and my family for so long?

[jeopardy]

I had some of the problems you talk about in this video. I figured out computer programming at 9 years old by reading manuals, but nothing in school made sense. I was thought to be gifted, but was totally lost in the gifted classes. But I did start my own business providing computer applications, so I must have learned something in school in the long run. I think I just had some learning curves that got in the way when I was a kid.

[AUnicorn]

if i really want to learn something i can learn it within 2 weeks

[spiwolf]

Why being "gifted" is actually a curse. Understanding and feeling things more strongly than most other people is really an aweful experience, especially when no one else seems to know what you are going through.

[theecosmetaverse]

I started talking when I was 3 months old. I started reading when I was 8 months old. When I was 3 years old I already knew how to read and write fluently, sum up, take away, the rivers, the countries, the presidents, the scientists, and before I was 5 I already had my own thoughts about reality, society, drugs, war and even death.
When I was at school I was most of my time alone in the playground. I felt forced to be there and I had a huge weight on my shoulders. It felt like hell. I had great marks but started failing and getting into real trouble. A huge depression and phobias, anger...
I finished school in the end even though I failed 7 subjects on my last year.
I studied 4 degrees (couldn't finish them in the end), I understand 8 languages at different levels.
I had a couple of jobs and again I had trouble there and couldn't fit in...
After several years of complete isolation and depression I found my passion and my reason to live. I'm a voice actress, writer, photographer, artist, composer and I study mathematics and physics among other things on my free time.
I do know my IQ (done the Weschler and orientative Mensa test as well) but I really don't care much about it.
I don't believe a bunch of numbers define us.
Only our thoughts and actions and fighting for what makes us push forward is what matters.

[jpenneymrcoin]

without listening through this, gonna say gifted is close to the spectrum

[KennethTrueman]

2E for this cat who was diagnosed as an adult. Gifted and ADHD. And asthma too. The things l learned from this talk. :)

[Yuchub]

Im gifted and it sucks its almost like a curse, specially when u live in a very conservative country like mine (mexico)

[stratovation]

Excellent. I know assorted geniuses. All different. All strange in fascinating ways. Let them be themselves.

[abbyhrncir]

I'm gifted in English, math and history but I have a speech and wrinting disorder. I tend to leave out words or talk to fast that no one will understand me and my sister would have to translate. Plus I have both asthma and allergies. I am very sensitive to loud nioses and people say it just anxiety which I admit I have but I think there is more to the iceberg. I took speech classes during math and gifted English in English. Nobody taught me comma or clauses or semi colon cuase I had to do speech class and advanced English. Mutiple time I would cry myself to sleep be cuase of stress and it's all because of being " gifted". Being gifted has more cons than pros which leads to mental disoders and trouble but it's just because of how they are being taught.

[ultraviolet]

(I am a 'gifted' child on here)
This is very true, luckily I have been accelerated three years in education, and at age 11, am in senior school (and extension) :). I would say these attributes are true; I am quite sensitive to some things, I got really bored in school (hence acceleration), etc.
I am not _that_ extreme in terms of sensitivity, allergies (none) asthma (none) etc. though haha

[apotheticallyautistic]

😭 the sense of relief after seeing this video is overwhelming me. This is me (2e)