Child prodigy burnout. We assume that to be the best, you have to start before you can tie your shoes. While there are successes, there seem to be many prodigies who don’t do well as adults. Newly crowned Olympic women’s figure skating champion Alysa Liu says she wants her story to “inspire others” after the golden return of a former child prodigy who suffered burnout. But she returned to the rink even stronger two years later, and on Thursday What actually separates a real child prodigy from a viral kid performer — and why do most prodigies disappear before adulthood?In this video, we break down t Emmeline MOORE Fri, 20 February 2026 at 3:57 am UTC·4 min read Newly crowned Olympic women's figure skating champion Alysa Liu says she wants her story to "inspire others" after the golden return of a former child prodigy who suffered burnout. The majority of childhood prodigies never fulfill their early promise. I wasn’t aware of the educational stress that came along with growing up gifted until my child was a little older. Assess Their Environment Gather information about your child’s academic environment, especially if your child attends a public school with a gifted learning program. Learn the signs of gifted kid burnout syndrome and how to prevent it with practical classroom strategies and support tips for parents and teachers. r/AskReddit is the place to ask and answer thought-provoking questions. All she wanted in the end was a chance to make the US team and share her artistry on the world stage. According to one article I found, “a child prodigy may have a reasonably high, but not necessarily exceptionally high, IQ. Prodigies tend to be unusually focused, determined, and highly motivated to reach the highest levels of their fields. [1] This burnout can come with lifelong implications if it isn't resolved, but fortunately, with some time and effort, it is very well possible to overcome this issue. Former child prodigy Zhang Xinyang blames his parents for why he's jobless and has no intention of changing. TIL that Ruth Lawrence, a child prodigy, passed the Oxford University maths exam at age 10, coming first out of all 530 candidates, she then completed the degree a year early by age 13. Some people seem destined for greatness, but whether they actually achieve it is another story. It is every child who grew up, found themselves amongst other high-achieving students, and failed to adapt. MILAN:Newly crowned Olympic women’s figure skating champion Alysa Liu says she wants her story to “inspire others” after the golden return of a former child prodigy who suffered burnout. This is commonly known as gifted kid burnout. They’re all told Why do prodigies, and specifically musical prodigies, fascinate us and provoke so much awed attention? Fundamentally, it’s the incongruity of seeing a child, especially a very young child, engaging in what is generally regarded as an adult activity for which substance, maturity, emotional depth and artistry are essential ingredients. External pressures from parents and teachers can increase the stress levels of gifted kids. Burnout often leads to exhaustion, frustration, and a lack of motivation in gifted children. This Is the Difference Between Child Prodigies and Late Bloomers: World-class musicians, athletes, and scientists aren’t superstars as kids. Gifted kid burnout occurs when a child labeled as "gifted" begins to underachieve and grow exhausted as a result of long-term stress and unrealistic expectations. Twenty-eight-year-old Zhang Xinyang has had the kind of life that is unconventional, to It is hard to generalize, but a significant number of child prodigies rebel against the constant stress and high expectations they experienced for their entire childhood and either break down, or try to deliberately turn into unremarkable, average people. The journey of a gifted child is often romanticized, with images of effortless success and boundless potential. The term “gifted kid syndrome” is essentially this. Newly crowned Olympic women's figure skating champion Alysa Liu says she wants her story to "inspire others" after the golden return of a former child prodigy who suffered burnout. There are many children who are geniuses as kids, but they tend to have a tough teenage time and then wash out as adults. It is every child who was raised with constant praise and higher-achieving than others when they were young. The one who’s beautiful, kind, and smart, the one who’s good at everything, perhaps even exceptionally good. Child prodigies may also distort their own personalities to the point where they become unrecognizable. Top 7 tips to prevent or recover from gifted kid burnout The Environment of a Gifted Child It is a basic human desire to feel superior in comparison to others, we’ve all dreamed about being the It Girl. Prodigies are produced from a combination of environmental factors and personal . Could you be struggling with teacher burnout? Discover the symptoms and get 8 actionable steps that will help you love teaching agin. I mean, yeah, that's literally the definition of prodigy. That’s the wording they used—like I was ill. I have 0% in the homework category for certain classes. Providers have extraordinary accomplishments, not just recognition of potential. track you down and ask your opinion as a child prodigy, you were a child star essentially, and that is not something that society has figured out how to handle properly. Milan (Italy) (AFP) - Newly crowned Olympic women’s figure skating champion Alysa Liu says she wants her story to “inspire others” after the golden return of a former child prodigy who suffered burnout. What is gifted kid burnout? If you are parenting a gifted child, you may have heard of this phrase. We don't know what to do with child stars, so (37:44): instead we just chew them up and spit them out and say good luck, we don't need you any longer. Newly crowned Olympic women's figure skating champion Alysa Liu says she wants her story to inspire others after the golden return of a former child prodigy who suffered burnout. Jan 11, 2026 · Gifted kids can experience burnout from high expectations and the pressure to always excel. 46M subscribers in the AskReddit community. After all, what does a child know? Discover the complexities and challenges faced by gifted children and learn how to prevent burnout for a thriving and healthy future. By understanding the signs and contributing factors, parents and teachers can work together to help prevent burnout and support gifted kids in all areas of their potential. "Perseverance is a key part of it," says Robert Root-Bernstein of Michigan State University. They explain that prodigies demonstrate mastery in specific skills before age 10, surpassing adult-level proficiency regardless of IQ. Gifted kid burnout is a real and often overlooked issue that can have long-lasting effects on a child's mental, emotional, and physical health. MILAN: Newly crowned Olympic women’s figure skating champion Alysa Liu says she wants her story to “inspire others” after the golden return of a former child prodigy who suffered burnout. Mar 29, 2021 · This self-sabotage associated with gifted child burnout is actually a popular phenomenon that has inspired numerous sociological studies and even TikTok videos. But she returned to the rink even stronger two years later, and From Child Prodigy to Burnout — and Back Born on August 8, 2005, in Clovis, California, and raised in Richmond, Liu was a skating phenomenon before most teenagers get a driver’s license. If you were a child prodigy you’d know it based on your resume. Formerly gifted kids opened up in an online thread about what adulthood was like for them. Explore gifted kid burnout, its causes, symptoms, and strategies for recovery to empower gifted individuals beyond their labels. Advertisement MILAN:Newly crowned Olympic women’s figure skating champion Alysa Liu says she wants her story to “inspire others” after the golden return of a former child prodigy who suffered burnout. I am absolutely right. Gifted kid burnout is real, and uniquely affects twice exception (2e) students with ADHD, autism, and other learning differences. Liu stepped away from figure skating aged just 16 years, tired of the endless training and wanting to live the life of a normal teenager. A lot of ppl already mentioned good points, I just want to add that it's quite interesting and somewhat sad to see a pattern in so-called child prodgies to seemingly fall off the face of the earth once they get a bit older. Aug 1, 2023 · We’re fascinated by kid geniuses, students skipping grades, scoring the highest on their SATs or graduating early altogether. Gifted kid burnout is challenging, but children can recover with patience–the outcomes are worth the effort. Worst case scenerio—the Unibomber was a washed out child prodigy. Dec 22, 2025 · Being identified as a child prodigy could actually hamper the chances of being a high performer later in life, a new study has found. (Gifted Kid Burnout and Other Lies I Tell Myself) By Elisa Penha I was diagnosed as gifted when I was seven. Key points Practically speaking, a prodigy is simply a child who can do musical things that peers cannot. 43M subscribers in the AskReddit community. Chances are that back in school, you either knew someone who was very gifted or you actually were that kid (hey, how are you). Jan 6, 2026 · The chess prodigy, the child violinist, the teenage Olympian—these stories dominate our imagination. Burnout is something everyone occasionally deals with, but it manifests very differently in the world of neurodiversity. A gifted child has that desire fulfilled at an early age, or at least, they think they do. A true one in a million. Experiencing wicked child prodigy burnout, but like, my whole life Was a classical music child prodigy at the age of 6- I never called myself that, but by 14 I started playing at major national and then international concert halls. How to spot burnout in your gifted child, help your kid feel better, and prevent your gifted child from experiencing burnout. Diagnosed. The skill of being a child prodigy is qualitatively different from the “skill” of being an adult creative genius. MILAN Newly crowned Olympic women's figure skating champion Alysa Liu says she wants her story to “inspire” others after the golden return of a former child prodigy who suffered burnout. We sacrifice so much to the false gods of “hustling” harder ― including our kids. Sounds like a joke, right? Unfortunately, for myself and many other people labeled as “gifted/talented” in From prodigy to burnout, the path of a gifted child can be as treacherous as walking a tightrope while juggling flaming torches. Any theories? While not a substitute for medical treatment, the following tips can help you work with your child to holistically address the factors that may be contributing to their burnout – or catch minor stressors before they lead to full-blown burnout. They revealed their biggest struggles, including Maybe I’m Not Burning Out – Maybe I’m Just Lazy. They are often marked by great confidence in their abilities, along with a naive sense of these She spoke candidly and insightfully on how her unique journey from child prodigy to burnout case to second-act skater gave rise to an indifference to scores or placements. Child Prodigies: Better to Burn Out Than Fade Away 1-Page Summary Definition and Characteristics of Child Prodigies In this episode, Chuck, Bryant, and Josh Clark explore what defines a child prodigy. She spoke candidly and insightfully on how her unique journey from child prodigy to burnout case to second-act skater gave rise to an indifference to scores or placements. Won competitions, played with famous composers and celebrities. Today we talk about the burnout experienced by twice-exceptional and gifted kids. Here are eight ways to help a gifted child overcome burnout: 1. Recognizing the signs early and making meaningful changes—like adjusting expectations and fostering supportive connections—can make a significant difference. However, just because academia was easy for you at the start doesn’t mean that the rest of your life was sunshine and daisies. Here’s what’s really happening, and how to help them recover. A Child Prodigy may have an innate talent in something such as science or art — but despite that reservoir of potential, they may simply end up … Since both situations can be utilized in creating a burnout, I would suggest going with the option that you as the parent of the prodigy are most comfortable with. Gifted child burnout is real, and it can deeply impact a child’s mental, emotional, and academic well-being. May 20, 2025 · This is gifted kid burnout —a silent crisis hitting teens who were once labeled “advanced,” only to crash under the weight of expectations. Gifted Kid Burnout: Breaking Free of “Smartness” “I peaked in 5th grade”. On child prodigies and our cultural expectations to hustle our way to the top of the Forbes ‘30 Under 30’ list. “Getting ahead” is idolized. Psychiatrists call this the development of a false self. 09uig, 7lfnc, mukm6, m31wl, ulumg, hx5vby, nq0t, xrjt, t7lyh, 6vvcx,