Exceptional Children: Between Giftedness and Special Educational Needs – An Integrative Perspective

Abstract

Within the comprehensive framework of the concept of exceptional children—a term that encompasses a wide spectrum of learners, including both gifted and talented individuals as well as those with special educational needs (SEN)—there emerges the necessity for a coherent theoretical and empirical foundation. The present study, currently situated at the stage of terminological clarification and the establishment of an experimental sample, focuses on identifying and analyzing children with special educational needs from Romanian schools who simultaneously exhibit evident aptitudes or talents across various domains. In addition to the conceptual analysis, the study also examines statistical data regarding children with SEN and the manifestation of diverse abilities, confirming that many of them possess the potential for successful social integration, personal development, and meaningful contribution to collective progress. The research adopts a qualitative–conceptual methodological approach, combining theoretical analysis with the preliminary design of empirical investigation tools intended for future application within inclusive educational settings. The central objective is to refine the conceptual understanding of giftedness, exploring its multiple dimensions and the interrelation between gifted potential and special educational needs. The combined results of the terminological analysis and the preliminary statistical investigation suggest an integrative perspective on the relationship between giftedness and special educational needs, indicating that these characteristics may coexist within the same student. This approach supports the development of an educational framework that views giftedness as a universal form of human potential, manifesting in diverse ways depending on contextual, cognitive, and emotional factors.
Keywords: exceptional children, children with SEN, educational integration, forms of giftedness, twice-exceptionality.