Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults: Adhd, Bipolar, Ocd, Asperger's, Depression, and Other Disorders (2nd Edition)

Gifted children and adults are frequently misdiagnosed, particularly those who are twice-exceptional (2e). This much-anticipated second edition of a best-selling book is your guide to help prevent that. Some of our brightest, most creative children and adults are misdiagnosed as having behavioral or emotional disorders such as ADD/ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or Asperger's Disorder. Many receive unneeded medications and/or inappropriate counseling. How can this happen? Physicians, psychologists, and counselors often are unaware of characteristics of gifted children and adults that mimic pathological diagnoses. James T. Webb, Edward R. Amend, Paul Beljan, Nadia E. Webb, Marianne Kuzujanakis, F. Richard Olenchak. and Jean Goerss guide parents and professionals to distinguish between behaviors that are pathological and those that are "normal" for gifted individuals.

"This book guides parents, teachers, and professionals so students can achieve their full potential. Kids with labels such as ADHD, autism, or Asperger's may also be gifted in math, art, or music, and educators and parents must work to develop their abilities." Temple Grandin, Ph.D., world-renowned autism expert and author of The Autistic Brain and Thinking in Pictures "All kids are hard to diagnose, and gifted kids are the most likely to be misunderstood and misdiagnosed. It is very easy to give a psychiatric diagnosis, so very hard to erase one, and the mislabeling can stigmatize and haunt a child for life. Parents need to be well informed to protect their children from diagnostic exuberance and unneeded treatments." Allen Frances, M.D., Chair DSM IV Task Force; Former Chair, Duke Department of Psychiatry; Author: Saving Normal: An Insider's Revolt against DSM-V, Big Pharma, and the Medicalization of Ordinary Life. "A widespread and serious problem...the wasting of lives from the misdiagnosis of gifted children and adults and the inappropriate treatment that follows." Jack G. Wiggins, Ph.D., Former President, American Psychological Association "Should be required reading for every professional who cares for children and every parent with a bright, but behaviorally perplexing, child." Fernette R. Eide, M.D., Neurologist, and Brock L. Eide, M.D., General Practitioner, Eide Neurolearning Clinic

James T. Webb, Ph.D. was recognized nationally as one of the most influential psychologists on gifted education. Dr. Webb wrote 16 books, over 75 professional publications, three DVDs, and many research papers for psychology conventions or for conferences regarding gifted and talented children. Six of his books were on gifted children and adults, and four won "Best Book" awards. In 1981, Dr. Webb established SENG, a national nonprofit organization that provides information, training, conferences, and workshops, and served as Chair of SENG's Professional Advisory Committee. In 2011, he was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arizona Association for Gifted children, the Community Service Award from the National Association for Gifted Children, and the Upton Sinclair Award by EducationNews.org. Most recently, Dr. Webb was President of Great Potential Press, Inc. Dr. Webb received the 2017 Palmarium Award at the University of Denver's Gifted Education conference, "Transformational Leadership: Inspirations and Issues in Gifted Education", where Dr. Webb was honored for exemplifying "a future in which giftedness will be understood, embraced and systematically nurtured throughout the nation and the world."