Institute for the Study of Advanced Development (ISAD)
Created in 1986, Institute for the Study of Advanced Development (ISAD) is a nonprofit research corporation, dedicated to uncovering the abilities of underserved populations, studying advanced development in children and adults, and fostering undeveloped potential in women. While giftedness is most often equated with eminence, ISAD redefines giftedness as advanced development throughout the lifespan. In early childhood, it manifests as rapid progression through developmental milestones, unusual capacity for abstract thought, creative imagination and heightened sensitivity. Advanced development in adults involves the deepening and strengthening of one’s values, broadening of one’s scope of responsibility, consciousness of the meaning of one’s existence, concern for others and commitment to service. GDC is the service arm of ISAD, providing assessment, counseling, advocacy and consultation to the gifted community worldwide. The two work in tandem to develop the understanding and advancement of giftedness worldwide.
We are delighted to announce volume 18 of the Advanced Development Journal is now available!
The inner experience of giftedness has been neglected in most research and theories, especially in adults. Consequently, definitions of giftedness that exist do not reflect how gifted adults see themselves and in what ways they value their giftedness. In this thought provoking volume, Guest Editor Willem Kuipers brings together articles from around the globe to examine the inner experience of giftedness. In these articles, authors explore the “higher intelligence” of intuition, the transformative power of mindfulness, the practicality of comprehending rational versus experiential thinking, and the role of persona in psychosocial development. “Lives of Positive Disintegration” is based on Michael Piechowski’s keynote address at the 2018 Dabrowski Congress. A poetic narrative, poetry, and two enlightening book reviews complete this volume.
Accomplishments
Advanced Development
Advanced Development is the first psychological journal on adult giftedness; it publishes articles on theory, research, therapy, case studies of moral exemplars, inner experiences of the gifted, as well as poetry, art and book reviews.
Conferences and Events
ISAD organized the first conference on adult giftedness, the Gifted Women's Symposium, the International Dabrowski Congress, a Dabrowski Retreat, the Dabrowski Study Group, annual Dabrowski training workshops on rating overexcitabilities and levels (1990-1996), Leta Hollingworth Commemorative Conference and Summit, several international symposia on the assessment of giftedness, the Child-Centered Collective, the Visual-Spatial Learner Study Group and conferences on visual-spatial learners.
Assessment instruments
ISAD has created and validated over 40 instruments to assess gifted children and adults for overexcitabilities, twice-exceptionality, visual-spatial learners, introversion, writing disabilities and
many more.
Research and assessment
By 2020, more than 6,000 children had been assessed and parent permissions to conduct research had been obtained for most cases. To date, data on 1,188 cases, each with 212 variables, have been entered in a data analysis program. This database is available for graduate students and researchers.
The President’s Report
Each year, we create a record of our activities during the previous calendar year to serve our mission: study and support of giftedness; training in gifted assessment and teaching strategies; research; publications; presentations; dissemination of information; scholarships and pro bono services.
