Seeking opportunities and inclusion in high-IQ classes, competitions, support groups, socials, etc may be healthy, worthwhile, and productive if a goal (and outcome) is experiencing the benefits of:
- academic challenge,
- being in the company of intellectual peers.
For typical kids, these needs may be met in daily life and a mainstream general ed classroom. However for children with higher IQ/giftedness, these needs may not be met without intentional effort in providing advanced curriculum or extracurricular opportunities.
Although written about classroom experiences (not extracurriculars) these old posts link articles by experts, on the benefits of academic challenge and intellectual peers.
1) need for academic challenge
http://giftedissues.davidsongifted....Re_what_kids_don_t_learn.html#Post2330622) need for intellectual peers
http://giftedissues.davidsongifted....icle_about_poor_school_f.html#Post229604
