Giftedness is frequently misunderstood as merely high academic performance. However, contemporary research suggests that giftedness is a complex, asynchronous development that impacts a child's cognitive, emotional, and social functioning. This paper explores the defining characteristics of gifted students, the "gifted mask" (profiles of gifted students), the necessity for differentiated education, and the emotional challenges faced by these individuals, including the danger of underachievement. I. Defining the Gifted Learner
They possess a relentless drive to understand the "how" and "why" behind subjects. The Gifted
Gifted students possess excellent recall and can learn new material quickly. III. Profiles of Giftedness the necessity for differentiated education