The Beginning

Most parents of gifted children go through a similar process of discovering that their children are different from others and that the schools won't necessarily recognize or support the needs of their children. Early delight in their precocious, engaging newborns and toddlers turns to confusion and worry as other people point out problems with the children or the children themselves don't conform to everyone else's expectations. These worried parents find themselves having to become activists and advocates for their children through self-education, assessments, and considerable time and effort. Much of this is done on their own and leaves them feeling tremendous frustration, uncertainty, and loneliness. Finally, when they've done everything they can to help their children, most can only cross their fingers and hope that they've made the right choices.

-Deborah L. Ruf, "Losing our Minds: Gifted Children Left Behind"

This sums up the lives of parents of the gifted. When you throw in a learning disability, the problem is multiplied.