Giftedness is an expression of the self shaped by both biological and environmental factors. It represents the intersection of high ability, creativity, and commitment. However, today giftedness is most commonly identified through intelligence assessment, using standardized tests that assign an Intelligence Quotient (IQ) score. Giftedness cannot be reduced to a number; it is far more complex than that.

Gifted children share several common characteristics, such as heightened sensitivity and an intensified way of experiencing emotions and life events. Other typical traits include strong curiosity or a deep interest in specific subjects, rapid learning in areas of personal interest, creativity, and remarkable intuition. These characteristics of gifted children do not always have a positive impact within their environment; they may also lead to intense episodes of anger, boredom, or frustration. We firmly believe that the environment plays a crucial role in improving the lives of gifted children and adolescents, as well as those of their families and teachers, who are often unsure how to support students who are highly intelligent yet, in some respects, emotionally or socially immature.

The Centro Didattica Talenti (CDT) provides support services for families and schools working with gifted children. Our educational services for schools focus on training teachers to adopt a new perspective on special educational needs. According to the Italian Ministry of Education Circular No. 562 of 2019, gifted students may have special educational needs. However, it is both necessary and urgent to further explore the concepts of intelligence and human talent through a pedagogical and inclusive approach. In schools, giftedness is often mistaken for attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity disorder, or, even more unfairly, attributed to parenting styles. Our services provide support for families through one-to-one consultations, monthly group meetings, and mediation between parents and teachers.

Every child has potential, and if that potential is not discovered, it can never develop into talent. Talent is an essential part of a child’s identity, and recognizing and nurturing it is the mission of CDT, contributing to the well-being of each individual and of society as a whole. For all curious children and young people, we offer educational services in the form of enrichment programmes. We provide more than 300 topics for in-depth learning (see Clubs Plus). We also offer an online homeschooling programme (ages 6–14) and an on-site private secondary school, with boarding and accommodation available through our partnership with the Galileo Galilei Institute in Biella (for students aged 11–18).