What Is Asynchronous Development?
What Is Asynchronous Development?
There are many aspects to being gifted and one of such is asynchronous development.
Asynchronous development is when your child exhibits advanced development in some areas but not others. This is common in gifted children as they may have a higher level of knowledge in certain areas, such as math or music, but not in others like social skills or physical coordination. Even so, it can be a source of frustration for both you and your child.
At Rainard we understand this dilemma, and seek to be proactive in solving it by advancing the material for every grade by one year.
Not only do we advance the material our teachers provide each child with opportunities to learn and grow at their own pace. This may look like extra support in areas where your child is struggling and challenging them in areas where they excel.
Types of Asynchronous Development
Emotional and Intellectual maturity
To have a child with the intellect of a 12-year-old and the emotional response of an eight-year-old is frustrating. They can understand physics but respond with intensity in conflict.
Others may expect them to behave like older adults just because they show the intelligence of one. However, the best approach is to treat them their age and help them excel in the areas in which they show potential.
Asynchrony of Abilities
This refers to the phenomenon of a gifted child having uneven or mismatched abilities. Often with one or more areas of exceptional ability or talent a child is accompanied by average or below-average skills in other areas.
For example, if a child is advanced verbally in language arts they may struggle with math or have difficulty with fine motor skills. This can cause frustration in that their hands are not able to do physically what they can in their heads with numbers.
Interpersonal Asynchrony
This is yet another type of asynchrony seen and involves interpersonal relationships.
Gifted children may have difficulty understanding and relating to their friends as their advanced abilities can cause them to think and process information differently. They may also have strong emotions and intense reactions to certain situations which can be understandably difficult for others.
How should you approach your child with it?
Here are a few helpful strategies for you as a parent of a gifted child with asynchronous development:
Identify your child’s strengths and challenges
Understanding your child’s unique abilities and challenges can help them feel understood and allow them to grow in the areas they enjoy. The areas that are challenging for them will catch up eventually.
Encourage independence
Gifted children may benefit from having the opportunity to explore their interests and learn on their own. Make your child accountable and encourage them to take on challenges and find ways to solve problems independently.
Provide a supportive learning environment
A stimulating and nurturing environment can help your child’s overall development so finding the right fit for school is important. Supportive teachers who partner with you can make all the difference in your child thriving at school.
Seek out resources and support
Resources and support may be available in your community, such as gifted education programs or support groups for parents of gifted children.
Communicate with your child’s teachers
It can be helpful to keep in touch with your child’s teachers to stay informed about their progress and to work together to find ways to support their learning.
Be patient
Asynchronous development can be challenging, and it may take time for your child to catch up in certain areas. It’s important to be patient and to focus on your child’s strengths and progress.