Latest news with #giftedchildren
CBC
6 days ago
- General
- CBC
N.S. boy, 6, who just joined Mensa started multiplying as a toddler
A six-year-old boy from Bedford, N.S., has gained membership into one of the world's most exclusive clubs. Elijah Kodzo Motey is one of 50 Nova Scotians who've been accepted into Mensa International, a high-IQ society for people who score in the top two per cent of standardized intelligence tests. "We are so proud, we're so excited," said his mother, Mercy Mutale Motey, in an interview. "I think we are still in shock in some ways." Elijah is the youngest of three children in his family. His parents said they started seeing clues of his intelligence early on. At the age of two, he would spell complicated words on the fridge with magnets. He taught himself to read and write as a toddler. At daycare, he would lead storytime — reading to his fellow young classmates. Math came naturally, too. "He would be doing three times tables — three, six, nine and 12. And he was like two years old," his mother said. "It was just remarkable to be able to watch." Mensa membership shoo-in The Moteys wanted to make sure they could provide Elijah with the resources and support he'd need as a gifted child, so they turned to Mensa. Since the non-profit organization only tests people who are 14 and older, Elijah's parents had him tested by a psychologist. Those results were sent to Atlantic Mensa, a chapter for members from Canada's East Coast. Elijah's father, Delali Motey, said he wasn't surprised that Elijah was accepted into the society. "Knowing how he was with math and his intelligence level, we were confident," he said. Favourite subjects include math, gym and reading Elijah attends an elementary school that falls under the province's French school board, Conseil scolaire acadien provincial. His parents have a French language background and they try to speak at least two languages with their children at home. What does Elijah like most about school? "Math for solving questions," he said. "Gym for running around and the library for reading." At school, he added, "I can be smart and intelligent." Mensa 'not a bunch of snobs' Barry Schmidel, the Atlantic regional representative on the board of Mensa Canada, said the organization started as a way to provide a community for people "who are highly intelligent." "I have a peer group now that I wouldn't have had before if I wasn't a member," he said. "I know people who may disagree with me politically or on social issues or whatever, but who I can have an intelligent conversation with." "We're not a bunch of snobs," he added. Elijah's mom said she believes it's important for parents to advocate for their children, no matter their skill level. She's in regular contact with the school's principal and vice-principal to make sure Elijah is challenged correctly. As for the future, she said it's too early to say what lies ahead for her son. "We really want him to explore what he loves and enjoys," she said. "He is so enthusiastic about the things that he enjoys and because of his skills he's able to pick up almost anything."
Globe and Mail
23-05-2025
- Health
- Globe and Mail
Neuropsychologist Dr. Elyse Bensusan Launches Upper East Side Practice Focused on Gifted, Anxious, and Twice-Exceptional NYC Children
Dr. Elyse Bensusan, a Columbia-trained clinical psychologist, opens a private neuropsychological assessment practice in Manhattan to support gifted and misunderstood children. In a city where achievement is prized and intellect often masks distress, many of New York's most capable children are quietly falling behind emotionally—and no one notices until they're in crisis. Dr. Elyse Bensusan's practice is changing that. A Columbia-trained clinical psychologist, Dr. Bensusan recently launched a boutique private practice on Manhattan's Upper East Side dedicated to neuropsychological and psychoeducational evaluations. Her approach is warm, emotionally attuned, and designed to uncover the hidden challenges behind a child's strengths. 'These are the kids who get good grades but melt down after school,' she explains. 'The ones who are compliant in class but can't sleep at night. Too often, they're misread as fine because they're high-functioning.' At Bensusan Psychological Services, evaluations are never one-size-fits-all. Each assessment is collaborative and personalized—engaging parents, teachers, and specialists to understand the full picture. Dr. Bensusan evaluates not only academic ability, but also emotional regulation, executive functioning, and social dynamics. 'Families often come to me after trying everything—tutors, therapy, accommodations—but still feeling stuck,' she says. 'A well-done evaluation can finally connect the dots and give everyone a shared language to move forward.' Her practice specializes in: - ADHD and executive functioning challenges - Gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) learners - Learning issues in reading, writing, and math - Anxiety, perfectionism, and emotional dysregulation - Clarifying IEP or 504 eligibility - Private school admissions testing Dr. Bensusan brings years of experience working alongside NYC school teams, pediatricians, and private educators. But what sets her work apart is the deep emotional intelligence she brings to every interaction. 'These aren't just test scores,' she emphasizes. 'They're emotional maps. They help children feel seen and give parents the clarity to advocate with confidence.' Her Upper East Side office is now welcoming new families starting in August. Referrals from pediatricians, learning specialists, and school psychologists are encouraged. A limited number of sliding scale slots are available for families referred by schools or tutors. For parents wondering whether it's time to evaluate, Dr. Bensusan offers this reassurance: 'Don't wait for a breaking point. The earlier we understand a child, the sooner we can support them—and that changes everything.' About Dr. Bensusan: Dr. Elyse Bensusan, Psy.D., is a Columbia-trained clinical psychologist who specializes in psychoeducational and neuropsychological evaluations. She works with children, adolescents, and young adults at her private practice on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Office Address: 1751 Second Avenue, Suite AZ-5, New York, NY 10128 Website: Email: DoctorBensusan@ Psychology Today: LinkedIn: Media Contact Company Name: Bensusan Psychological Services Contact Person: Dr. Elyse Bensusan, Psy.D. Email: Send Email Phone: 6466635111 City: New York State: NY Country: United States Website:
Daily Mail
07-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Are you a 'genetic nurturer'? Parents' abilities 'rub off' on their children, even if they didn't pass down intelligence genes
Children with gifted parents tend to do better in school even if they didn't inherit the intelligence genes, a study found. Researchers say parents' natural abilities can 'rub off' on their offspring because they are more likely to spend time reading to them and helping with their homework. Dr José Morosoli, of University College London, said: 'Through this project, we show how genetics and environment are deeply intertwined, challenging the idea that inherited genetics alone determine outcomes. 'We found that both direct inheritance of genes and the environment shaped by parents' genetics influence children's education and mental health. Ignoring these indirect genetic effects can lead to misleading conclusions. 'The impact of genetics and environment changes as children grow, suggesting that early interventions focusing on parents might prove fruitful, while later efforts could benefit from targeting the children themselves.' The researchers reviewed 12 studies involving 38,654 families from the UK, Australia, the Netherlands, Iceland and the United States, along with genetic data from 4,580 UK families. They found the children of parents with high intelligence had better educational outcomes, even where they did not inherit those genetic traits themselves. The researchers also found that children's mental health and behaviour may be influenced by their parents', despite their own genetic makeup. The strongest effects were found around the age of three and involved parental genetic predispositions motivation, perseverance, emotional regulation and self-control. This finding suggests that parents with better non-cognitive skills may be especially able to support their children early in life. For both educational and mental health related outcomes, indirect genetic influences were stronger in early childhood. Professor Jean-Baptiste Pingault, of UCL, said: 'Our findings echo evidence that family resources and opportunities partly shape children's developmental outcomes – further illustrating the importance of providing consistent and developmentally appropriate support to children and their families. 'This research supports the UK Government's calls for life-course approaches to mental health and development, highlighting the importance of early intervention and sustained support throughout childhood.'
