This interactive training/workshop has two meetings:

• In the first meeting (6 November 2023), we will explore the prejudices and pitfalls of giftedness together. We will ‘reframe’ concepts about giftedness and investigate why it is important that giftedness is recognised.
• In the second meeting (27 November 2023), we will discuss ways in which gifted students can be supported regarding different pitfalls they may encounter, and we will dive into some helpful concepts and tools which can be used in coaching these students. Furthermore, an overlap of characteristics can be seen in giftedness on the one hand and several different behavioural and emotional disorders on the other hand, like AD(H)D, autism and anxiety-related disorders. In this meeting, we also will shine a bit more light on this topic.

About the trainer

Anke Smeenk is a student adviser at the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University and founder of ‘Giftedness UM- Shining a light on bright students’. She studied medicine at Radboud University in Nijmegen, followed by the general practitioner programme in Maastricht. As a student adviser, Anke met students who were struggling with feelings of being different because of their giftedness. That’s why she currently is following decided to attend the specialised Radboud International Training on High Ability, to become an ECHA-qualified practitioner in the field of giftedness. Her intended goals are to increase knowledge in this area and share her insights with UM students and employees.