Type III: The Underground
"The Underground Gifted" students are typically middle school, females who hide their giftedness from others in an attempt to fit in. Gifted boys may go "underground," but usually wait until high school to do so.
​
These gifted students should not be allowed to quit all of their advanced academic and creative activities. Instead, parents and teachers should help the student explore alternative outlets for their giftedness during this time of transition.
Profile
Information for this profile comes from the matrix developed by Betts & Neihart.
Feelings & Attitudes
-
Unsure
-
Pressured
-
Confused
-
Guilty
-
Insecure
-
Diminished feelings of self and right to their emotions
Behaviors
-
Denies talent
-
Drops out of GT and advanced classes
-
Resists challenges
-
Wants to belong socially
-
Changes friends
Needs
-
Freedom to make choices
-
To be aware of conflicts
-
Awareness of feelings
-
Support for abilities
-
Involvement with gifted peers
-
Career/College information
-
Self-acceptance
Adults & Peers Perceptions of Type
-
Viewed as leaders or unrecognized
-
Seen as average and successful
-
Perceived to be compliant
-
Seen as quiet and shy
-
Adults see them as unwilling to take risk
-
Viewed as resistive
Identification
-
Gifted peer nomination
-
Home nomination
-
Community nomination
-
Achievement testing
-
IQ tests
-
Performance
-
Teacher advocate
Home Support
-
Acceptance of underground
-
Provide college and career planning experiences
-
Time to be with same age peers
-
Provide gifted role models
-
Model life-long learning
-
Give freedom to make choice
School Support
-
Recognize and properly place
-
Give permission to take time out from GT classes
-
Provide same sex role models
-
Continue to give college and career information