Hi Mia,
I also feel embarrassed using the term "gifted".
I think any replacement term will evoke the same feelings on both ends. It is sad we can't feel free to talk about our kids.
You know when there was a question my son might be on the low end of the curve since he was a late talker, oh then poeple love to hear about it, love to talk about it. But when the tides changed he he surpassed everyones expectations and ended up at the other end of the spectrum well then no one wants to hear about it.