Book Recommendation: Smart but Scattered
Book Recommendation: Smart but Scattered
By Peg Dawson and Richard Guare
If you’re supporting a gifted learner (or any child who struggles with focus, organization, or emotional regulation), Smart but Scattered is one of the most practical and empathetic guides you can find. It’s not just another parenting book; it’s a toolbox for understanding how executive function impacts daily life and learning.
What makes this book so powerful is its focus on building skills rather than fixing behavior. The authors outline simple, research-based strategies for helping children strengthen their executive functioning, including skills like planning, working memory, task initiation, and self-control. Their tone is compassionate and grounded in psychology, making complex ideas easy to understand and apply at home or in the classroom.
For gifted learners, this book is especially valuable. Many gifted kids have advanced intellect but uneven development in organization or emotional regulation. Smart but Scattered helps parents and educators recognize that imbalance and gives practical ways to guide growth without frustration. I’ve personally found the checklists and skill-building activities adaptable for both individual students and small-group settings.
If you’re looking to understand how to support gifted or twice-exceptional students holistically, this book is an excellent place to start. It’s clear, actionable, and written with both heart and expertise.
⭐ 4.5/5 for practicality, empathy, and real-world application
🌿Laura
Read More:
Gifted and Distractible by Julie Skolnick offers an empathetic, research-informed look at twice-exceptional learners. It’s packed with strategies for parents and teachers to support gifted kids who also struggle with focus, regulation, or organization.