SGKs (Spunky Gifted Kids) can often seem like a force of nature.  In these circumstances, we, as parents of SGKs, try our best to understand our kids and how they think about the world, while holding firmly to our responsibility to regulate their behavior until their emotional level catches up with their intellectual abilities and they are mature enough to do so on their own behalf.  One successful technique we use is the IRDIPAN, which enables kids to advocate for what they need or want and appeal the decision of the adult in a respectful and organized manner.  We look forward to telling you more…..

Gretchen Witte Glader was drawn to the area of the social emotional needs of gifted children through her work as a child psychotherapist. After encountering children who fit this profile but were not receiving the necessary help, she began to develop her philosophy and practice to serve this population in ways that aligned with her values as a social worker and Montessori teacher. Along with Noriko Martinez, she opened Gifted Learning Center~ North Shore in 2012. Her other teaching interests and competencies are in the areas of School Social Work, Individuals and Families, and the Treatment of Children and Adolescents. She is a Senior School Social Worker, serving students with emotional disabilities in a school setting.  She also is a child and adult psychotherapist in private practice. Her career background is in Education, working in public and private schools with children from pre-school through high school. She has provided consultation to various schools, social service agencies, school psychologists, administrative staff and teachers, and social work and psychology interns. She has presented on clinical and organizational topics. She holds a Type 73 Certification as an Illinois School Social Worker, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.