I don't know if I can clarify this but use examples of things I feel fit into this category and I am sure if I am off base someone will correct me and then we will both learn. LOL
When I consider this idea of academic giftedness I think about the Einstein babies that are coming through the system. A lot of these kids have been raised on the Baby Einstein videos and other academic learning toys. They also are more prone to the parents sitting them down with curriculum and teaching them their ABCs, colors, shapes, numbers before they get into kindergarten. So they are clearly ahead of the curve when they start school. Are they intellectual gifted? Some might be but a lot of them miss that one key ingredient that separates them which is the motivation to learn. Intellectually gifted kids are the ones that have to learn. They tend to be addicted to books and knowledge. Even everyday activities such as putting clothes on gives them a chance to make connections such as counting. Playing with play doh they learn or reinforce their knowledge of shapes, colors, counting etc. Some (not all) have amazing verbal abilities at a very early age and just instinctively know proper grammar without being taught.
As far as the motivation part while in school; I think you can look at the structure of school and holding kids back by age and not abilities. The HG+ kids are the ones that are years ahead in their abilities but because of their age are left to suffer. Again, generalization here and not all school are like this. These kids are at high risk of becoming underachievers and even dropping out of school. And the academically gifted in my opinion are the above average to moderately gifted students that fair well in the school structure and need small adjustments such as the GT programs. I have read in a few books that the movers and shakers of the world are not necessarily the HG+ but the above average to MG. These are the scientists and doctors. And again shows that HG+ kids are high risk because at some point they lose their wants to learn.
