Gifted Underachievers

Observe and interact with the child over a period of at least two weeks to determine if he/she possesses the following characteristics. If the student exhibits ten or more of the listed traits, including all that are asterisked, individual intelligence testing is recommended to establish whether he/she is a gifted underachiever.

• Poor test performance.
• Achieving at or below grade-level expectations in one or all the basic skill areas: reading, language arts, mathematics.
• Daily work frequently incomplete or poorly done.
• Superior comprehension and retention of concepts when interested.
• Vast gap between qualitative level of oral and written work.
• Exceptionally large repertoire of factual knowledge.
• Vitality of imagination: Creative.
• Persistent dissatisfaction with work accomplished, even in art.
• Seems to avoid trying new activities to prevent imperfect performance; Evidences perfectionism, self-criticism.
• Shows initiative in pursuing self-selected projects at home.
• Has a wide range of interests and possible special expertise in an area of
  investigation and research.
• Evidences low self-esteem in tendencies to withdraw or be aggressive in the classroom.
• Does not function comfortably or constructively in a group of any size.
• Shows acute sensitivity and perceptions related to self, others and life in general.
• Tends to set unrealistic self-expectations: goals too high or too low.
• Dislikes practice work or drill for memorization and mastery.
• Easilydistracted; unable to focus attention and concentrate efforts on tasks.
• Had an indifferent or negative attitude towards school.
• Resists teacher efforts to motivate or discipline behaviour in class.
• Has difficulty in peer relationships; maintains few friendships.

Source:
Joanne Whitmore (1980) Giftedness, Conflict and Underachievement. Allyn and Bacon.