Bright Not Broken: Gifted Kids, ADHD, and Autism

by Diane M. Kennedy

$23.95

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Author: Diane M. Kennedy

Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Hardcover:
ISBN 10: 9780470623329
ISBN 13: 978-0470623329

The future of our society depends on our gifted children--the population in which we'll find our next Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, or Virginia Woolf. Yet the gifts and talents of some of our most brilliant kids may never be recognized because these children fall into a group known as twice exceptional, or "2e." Twice exceptional kids are both gifted and diagnosed with a disability--often ADHD or an Autism Spectrum Disorder--leading teachers and parents to overlook the child's talents and focus solely on his weaknesses. Too often, these children get lost in an endless cycle of chasing diagnostic labels and are never given the tools to fully realize their own potential.

Bright Not Broken sheds new light on this vibrant population by identifying who twice exceptional children are and taking an unflinching look at why they're stuck. The first work to boldly examine the widespread misdiagnosis and controversies that arise from our current diagnostic system, it serves as a wake-up call for parents and professionals to question why our mental health and education systems are failing our brightest children.

Finally, the authors show what we can do to help 2e children, providing a whole child model for parents and educators to strengthen and develop a child's innate gifts while also intervening to support the deficits. Drawing on painstaking research and personal experience, Bright Not Broken offers groundbreaking insight and practical strategies to those seeking to help 2e kids achieve their full potential.

Diane M. Kennedy, author of The ADHD-Autism Connection, is a long time advocate, international speaker/trainer, and mother of three twice-exceptional sons.

Rebecca S. Banks, M.A., co-author of The ADHD-Autism Connection, is a veteran educator, national speaker/trainer, and mother of two twice-exceptional children.

Temple Grandin, Ph.D., is a professor, prolific author, and one of the most accomplished and renowned adults with autism in the world.

Review

"This book addresses an important, under discussed topic, supporting children with social and attention problems but who have good cognitive skills. With discussion of who they are and why they end up stuck and frustrated, this highly readable book fills an important need."
-- Fred R Volkmar, MD, Director, Yale Child Study Center

This book is essential for parents and professionals. It is both theoretical, practical and creatively updates thinking on autism spectrum disorders. In our experience change in the field only happens when parents campaign which these authors are doing with such enthusiasm.

Dr. Lorna Wing and Judith Gould, PhD
The National Autistic Society

"A work of tremendous scholarship and passion that deserves to be a seminal and paradigm-shifting work. It should be read by all parents of gifted children with coexistent disabilities--and the professionals who work with them."
William Sheehan, MD, Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Services, Willmar, MN

"This book is an outstanding analysis of the flaws in the educational and psychiatric approaches to children's challenges. It gave me excellent insight into my more challenging cases and has had a profound impact on my personal and professional life."
Ruth Goldberg, PhD, clinical and school psychologist, mother of three 2e children

"Bright Not Broken is a unique resource for parents and professionals who seek to understand children's behaviors. The authors are to be applauded for their clear-thinking approach to the jungle of DSM labels--a must read for the open minded!"
Lydia Furman, MD, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Cleveland OH

From the Inside Flap

The future of our society depends on our gifted children—the population in which we'll find our next Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, or Virginia Woolf. Yet the gifts and talents of some of our most brilliant kids may never be recognized because these children fall into a group known as twice exceptional, or 2e. Twice-exceptional kids are both gifted and diagnosed with a disability—often ADHD or an autism spectrum disorder—leading teachers and parents to overlook the child's talents and focus solely on his weaknesses. Too often, these children get lost in an endless cycle of chasing diagnostic labels and are never given the tools to fully realize their own potential.

Bright Not Broken sheds new light on this vibrant population by identifying who twice-exceptional children are and taking an unflinching look at why they're stuck. The first work to boldly examine the widespread misdiagnosis and controversies that arise from our current diagnostic system, it serves as a wake-up call for parents and professionals to question why our mental health and education systems are failing our brightest children.

Most important, the authors show what we can do to help 2e children, providing a whole child model for parents and educators to strengthen and develop a child's innate gifts while also intervening to support the deficits. Drawing on painstaking research and personal experience, Bright Not Broken offers groundbreaking insight and practical strategies to those seeking to help 2e kids achieve their full potential.

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Bright Not Broken: Gifted Kids, ADHD, and Autism