Giftedness & Learning Disabilities: Unearthing the Missed Diagnosis

Paul Beljan, PsyD, ABPdN, ABN

March 17, 2020

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Lecture Abstract

Characteristics of gifted and talented children can result in incorrect diagnoses, such as overlooking learning disabilities. Learning disabilities can take the form of academics (reading, math and writing) or innate abilities in general learning that may relate to social learning. In 2011 at Learning Pathways in Boulder, Colorado, Dr. Beljan gave a lecture on the basic tenets of gifted intelligence and asynchronous development.

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Dr. Beljan discusses the in's and out's of giftedness and basic neurodevelopment. He then turns to the nuts and bolts of learning disabilities - what they look like, how to assess them, and what to do about them in the contexts of the gifted population. The ‘discrepancy model’ of learning disability is dispelled in favor of understanding the brain-basis of learning disabilities.

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Check out the live lecture from 2011 at Learning Pathways in Boulder, Colorado

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