Author: Deborah Ruf

Deborah Ruf

Dr. Deborah Ruf founded Educational Options in late 1999 in order to help the families of gifted children, particularly highly and profoundly gifted children, to know where to begin their search for answers related to gifted issues. Educational Options provides accurate information regarding intelligence, what it is, where it comes from, and how our family, school, relationship and workplace environments either nurture or stifle its expression; and Educational Options seeks to influence policy that will support its expression. Dr. Ruf earned her Ph.D. in the Psychological Foundations of Education from the University of Minnesota; her M.Ed. in Elementary Supervision and Administration from the University of Virginia; and her B.A. in Elementary Education from Ohio Wesleyan University.

Some Do’s and Don’ts For Raising Your Gifted Kids

Practical guidance for parents of gifted children on protecting adult authority, providing intellectual challenge without overscheduling, encouraging effort, avoiding comparisons, and teaching necessary life skills. Suggests flexible schooling options, part-time homeschooling, honest communication about abilities, and balancing enrichment with downtime to foster emotional and academic growth.

Deborah Ruf September 14, 2011

Intelligence

If You’re So Smart, Why Do You Need Counseling?

Deborah Ruf examines why Baby Boomers and later generations seek counseling compared with the G.I. generation, using interviews with highly gifted adults. She discusses incidence of abuse, counseling uptake, emotional development, Dabrowski’s theory, and personal narratives illustrating struggles with identity, authority, and growth.

Deborah Ruf September 13, 2011