Become a Member

Author: Deirdre V. Lovecky

Picture of Deirdre V. Lovecky

Deirdre V. Lovecky

Deirdre V. Lovecky is a clinical psychologist in Providence, Rhode Island and a Contributing Editor to the Roeper Review.
Social & Emotional Development
Deirdre V. Lovecky

Exploring Social and Emotional Aspects of Giftedness in Children

This article outlines five social and emotional traits common among gifted children — divergent thinking, excitability, sensitivity, perceptiveness and entelechy — describing associated vulnerabilities, behavioral manifestations, and parental interventions to support development, self-regulation, empathy, creativity, and healthy social adjustment across childhood and adolescence.

Read More »
Deirdre V. Lovecky September 15, 2011
Miscellaneous
Deirdre V. Lovecky

Identity Development in Gifted Children: Moral Sensitivity

This article examines moral sensitivity in gifted children, describing early empathy, development of moral reasoning, attachment’s role in identity formation, theories of moral development, asynchrony between intellectual and emotional growth, construction of moral paradigms, and implications for adults supporting gifted children’s ethical and emotional development.

Read More »
Deirdre V. Lovecky September 15, 2011
Intelligence
Deirdre V. Lovecky

Exceptionally Gifted Children: Different Minds

This article summarizes observations comparing exceptionally and moderately gifted children, describing cognitive differences such as advanced abstract reasoning, precision, exceptional memory, empathy, immersion learning, and early problem formulation. It argues that exceptionally gifted children have distinct developmental needs often unmet by standard schooling, risking social and emotional difficulties.

Read More »
Deirdre V. Lovecky September 15, 2011
Adult Giftedness
Deirdre V. Lovecky

Can You Hear the Flowers Sing? Issues for Gifted Adults

This article describes five traits common among gifted adults—divergency, excitability, sensitivity, perceptivity, and entelechy—and examines their positive and negative social and emotional effects. It suggests practical self-growth options such as self-knowledge, acceptance, finding personal power, and nurturing supportive interpersonal relationships throughout adulthood.

Read More »
Deirdre V. Lovecky September 15, 2011