Doctor Javier Berché

Doctor Javier Berché Cruz (Barcelona, 1949) graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Barcelona in 1972. From 1972 until 1996 he worked as paediatrician in Dr. Brotons’ team in Barcelona. In 1980 he began his studies in neurology and child psychiatry and it was at this point that he first took an interest in children with exceptional intellectual ability and talent. In 1982 he began his studies of a group of such children, motivated by the knowledge that the educatonal system neglected their needs.

Since then he has taken part in different courses and seminars on childhood giftedness and he has set up relationships with various institutions and universities with programmes tailored to the needs of gifted students. In conjunction with 24 parents of gifted children, in 1986 he founded the Association for the Development of Creativity and Talent. This association has been a pioneer in Spain in studying and assisting students with exceptional intellectual abilities and talent.

In order to consolidate his achievements and to ensure further progress in the field of giftedness, in August 2012 Dr. Berché founded the Fundación Privada Javier Berché with the assistance of former students and their parents.

One of the primary goals of this foundation has been to establish cooperation agreements with the Center for Talented Youth of John Hopkins University in Baltimore and the Advanced Academy of Georgia (University of West Georgia), where a number of Dr. Berché’s students are currently undertaking accelerated studies.

Dr. Berché has published two books on childhood giftedness: Childhood Giftedness: From Myth to Reality (1996) and Survival Guide for Parents of Gifted Children (1998)