98% Of the cases of gifted children are undiagnosed

IX Forum of Pediatrics of Extremadura primary care

– it is estimated that 2% of the population is gifted

– tends to be between the ages of four and seven when pediatricians can make a reliable diagnosis

-70% of cases presented under school performance

-lack of motivation tends to be one of the causes that encourage under school performance of children with high IQ

Plasencia, April 2012.- the society of paediatric primary care of Extremadura (SPAPEX) has held the IX Forum of Pediatrics primary care (AP) of Extremadura. On this occasion, the event which has taken place in Plasencia, has brought together numerous AP pediatricians to share their experiences and discuss aspects of Endocrinology, Dermatology and on how to diagnose and treat gifted children, among other aspects.

The World Health Organization (who) defines as a gifted person to those with an IQ above 130. According to a report by the Center for research and educational documentation of the Ministry of education and culture, in Spain there are about 300,000 gifted students, designation in the Organic Education Act of 2006 was replaced by the students of high capabilities.

Gifted children: between 35% and 50% suffer from school failure

It is estimated that 2% of the population is gifted, but there are more than 98 per cent of cases undiagnosed. According to Dr. Maria Isabel Peguero, Pediatric specialist in family medicine and community, Almendralejo (Badajoz), are usually, parents who detected the mental superiority of the child. However, the diagnosis usually takes because before the three years you can be confused with simple precocidades. Usually between the ages of four and seven when pediatricians can make a reliable diagnosis ”.

Some of the features that can be gifted children can be: intensity and emotional sensitivity, self-consciousness, self-criticism, empathy, passion, self-demanding and perfectionism. However, it is often for the pediatricians of AP essential to know evolutionary and continuously to the child. not only have to rely on psychometric testing, also have to assess their cognition and the emotional factors that shape the personality of the child ”, explains Dr. Peguero.

There is the false belief that children with an IQ higher than normal do not have learning problems, however, may have learning disorders such as other children. In fact, 70% of cases there is a low school performance and between 35% and 50% suffer from school failure. Even when there is evidence of a potential for high performance school performance may be below the expected level ”, reflects the expert.

Lack of motivation tends to be one of the causes that lead to under performance at school. Although high skills children learn easily, if the education plan is not appropriate, they can fail and assume their underachievement. Also, also usually problems of sociability, above all, in the absence of social models with which the child can identify ”, qualifies the doctor Peguero.

The pediatricians of AP emphasize the importance of taking educational measures and inform parents on how collaborate. Children improve quickly if you follow the proper guidelines ”, concludes the specialist.

Society of Pediatrics of Extremadura (SPAPEX) primary care

Founded in 1999, with founding act in February 2000 and annexes to the pediatricians since its foundation in the year 2000. It currently has 134 members.

The registered office of SPAPEX is located in the official school of doctors of Badajoz. AVD. Columbus No. 21 CP: 03605 Badajoz.

The Pediatric Forum magazine is the official publication of the society, as a quarterly and currently only in electronic format.

This company was born with vocation scientific and representative and eventually acquires functions and industrial, representing the interests of paediatricians in primary care with the health administration.

SPAPEX expressly supports the health model based on pediatricians in health centres, whereas the most appropriate professionals in the care of the child and his family in primary care are these paediatricians.

Each year SPAPEX held a scientific format day (Saturday) and format Forum event (Friday afternoon and Saturday), the latter has prevailed in recent years with the aim of establishing a training and which is the most important meeting of Extremadura pediatricians point.