| This qualitative study examined the effects giftedness and ADD/ADHD has on the talent development process of gifted individuals with ADD/ADHD. There is abundant research on the negative influences ADD/ADHD has on academic achievement and psycho-social functioning (Barkley, 1998); however, there is a dearth of research on gifted individuals with ADD/ADHD.;Talent development and gifted research have found both environmental catalysts, such as a supportive environment, and internal characteristics, such as an internal locus of control and persistence, as contributing to the development of talent (Bloom 1982). These characteristics are the opposite of the characteristics of an individual with ADD/ADHD (i.e. external locus of control, lack of persistence) (Brand, Dunn, & Greb, 2002). The effects of the confluence of these catalysts on the talent development for gifted individuals with ADD/ADHD are less known.;The participants of this study were one female and three male college graduates, ages 27--36 years-old, from middle class families from diverse communities. All were identified gifted in elementary school, and two were diagnosed ADD/ADHD as children and two as adults. Data were collected through interviews with the participants and their parents, and assessments. Analysis was conducted through coding, pattern matching, display matrices, and descriptive analysis.;Findings revealed the following to be major influences in the talent development process for these individuals: (a) the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, (b) personal support, (c) quality of acceleration, and (d) internal coping mechanisms.;More research is needed to determine other factors that may affect talent development in this population and to generalize findings to the wider population. |
