8120: Dreamers, Discoverers, & Dynamos: How to Help the Child Who is Bright, Bored and Having Problems in School

About the Course:

This course is recommended for health care professionals, especially psychologists, counselors, social workers, and nurses who seek knowledge about understanding the Edison-trait personality types. Whether unfamiliar or familiar with some of the concepts involved in this material, you can benefit from information in this course.
Millions of children—one in five—have what psychologist Lucy Jo Palladino, Ph.D., calls the Edison trait: dazzling intelligence, an active imagination, a free-spirited approach to life, and the ability to drive everyone around them crazy. Named after Thomas Edison—who flunked out of school only to harness his talents and give the world some of its finest inventions—the Edison trait is on the rise in our younger generation.
The heart of the issue is that they think divergently—they overflow with many ideas—while schools, organized activities, and routines of daily living reward convergent thinking, which focuses on one idea at a time. Drawing on examples from more than two decades of private practice, Dr. Palladino helps us cope with this challenging aspect of our child’s intellect and personality, explaining in clear terms: – The three Edison-trait personality types: dreamers, discoverers, and dynamos – The eight steps to understanding, reaching, and teaching your Edison-trait child – The connection between the Edison trait and A.D.D.

Author

Lucy Jo Palladino, Ph.D.

About the Authors:

Lucy Jo Palladino, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist with 25 years of experience in research, teaching, and practice. She was Principal Investigator of an NIH research grant, a clinical faculty member at the University of Arizona Medical School, and author of numerous papers, journal articles, and an award-winning book. Her work on the Edison trait, a gifted and distraction-prone personality profile, has been featured on TV, radio, on-line, and in publications such as Family Circle, Wall Street Journal, and the Boston Globe.

Course Objectives:

1. 1. Identify the personality traits of convergent vs. divergent thinkers

2. 2. Name eight steps to help build attention control in divergent thinkers

3. 3. Help parents and teachers coach divergent thinkers

4. 3. Understand the differences between ADD (attention deficit disorder) and an Edison trait (divergent thinking) personality profile.