SENGinar - The Social and Emotional Impact of Misdiagnosis in Gifted Children and Adolescents

Misdiagnosis and overdiagnosis are common in the gifted experience;   especially with diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD. Perhaps   one of the most prevalent reasons for this misdiagnosis and/or overdiagnosis   is the “just in case” approach. The argument seems to be that if a child   might have a disability, even if the symptoms don’t quite match the criteria   given their current age (or even if they do), being diagnosed can help them   find understanding and be supported through accommodations and/or   interventions. It’s often thought that to not do so would be more   detrimental. However, what if the diagnosis is wrong? What if the   accommodations and interventions don’t help the person, but actually cause  harm.

Although misdiagnoses is commonly discussed in the greater gifted   community, few studies document how the individual feels after being misdiagnosed. In this SENGinar, Cam   Werley-Gonzales facilitates a conversation with Margo Margan, a teen   misdiagnosed with ASD. Margo will share her story about how misdiagnosis   affected her specifically; how her misdiagnosis impacted her identity, and   how the services provided cost her valuable life experiences and changed her   relationships with those around her. This story shares the trauma of   misdiagnosis, particularly one that results in unneeded therapy and services. Hopefully this can help provide understanding if you or someone you know has   been through a similar experience.

About the Presenters: 

Cam Werley-Gonzales is the owner of The Cambria Institute, a company   that celebrates gifted learning an living that is fully out of the   (proverbial) education box. With over 25 years as an expert educator, it is   Cam’s deepest conviction that while gifted learners can engage with some   success in schools, they are optimally served by alternate learning pathways,   most notably homeschooling and unschooling. The Cambria Institute supports   gifted families to embody their giftedness in all areas of their lives; the   truth is, we get to learn, friend, work, love, parent, hobby, and enjoy all   the the things that come along with this intense and massively phenomenal   gifted life with ease and alignment. Uniquely, each in our own way.

Margo Margan is a gifted teen as well as a writer and creator who has   written several pieces on her experience with misdiagnosis. She aims to bring   awareness to the trauma of misdiagnoses and to help other teens misdiagnosed   know they are not alone, and find a community where they can be understood in   their unique experience.