Paths and places of assistance in high abilities/giftedness in South America

Abstract

This article presents an overview of the educational service provided to students with high abilities/giftedness (AH/SD) in the countries of South America, especially in Brazil, where the broadest service program directed to this public in this region is found, highlighting the work carried out 48 years ago by the Education Department of the Federal District (SEEDF). To this end, a survey was carried out using a theoretical framework and research directed at the historical analysis of the teaching legislation in each of the locations surveyed. In some cases, where there is no bibliography or data on the subject on official government websites, information was requested from the headquarters of the embassies of these countries in Brazil. The research found the scarcity and even the absence of legal mechanisms, studies and reports of experiences in this field of special education in most of the countries analyzed. Despite legal advances in the area insome South American countries in recent decades, much still needs to be done to advance in identifying and assisting gifted individuals.