Comments on: Baaa

By: Amy

Amy — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 09:33:31 +0000

As a child I was identified as gifted, but there was little recognition of ADHD or learning disabilities at that time. Instead, I was “lazy” and at times “retarded.” A diagnosis would have made an enormous difference in my life and saved me a lot of pain.
I was under the impression that there *had* to be resources especially for gifted children.
You know your child, so I believe you when you say she doesn’t have ADHD, but her ability to color or read for an extended period of time has no bearing on the subject. Most kids with ADHD are fine when they’re doing something that absorbs them. I read in my room for hours at a time starting before I was in kindergarten. However, I frequently missed what people said, had problems with organization and sloppy homework and often had no idea what was going on in class (actually, I’m in med school now and that still applies but I work around it!) You might want to become more familiar with the diagnostic criteria: the knowledge will work in your favor whether your daughter has ADHD or not.
I agree with you that there is too little emphasis on stimulating kids; however you can advocate for your child. I just noticed koshka’s post and she also says gifted *is* special needs: I think you ought to investigate your rights within the system.
Your daughter is blessed to have a mother who will pursue her best interests.

By: koshka

koshka — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 21:24:27 +0000

Just so you know, gifted is special needs.

By: tyia

tyia — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 17:32:29 +0000

She sounds like an amazing child. I wonder if the teacher could just give her a special long term project that she could do with somebody else that may be at her same or similar level. In a classroom, there is always a range of about 10% above average, and 10% below average. It could be a simple project like a simple student book report tailored to her level. It would be an art project and literature project. She could even present it to the class at the when she’s done. This would give her valueable skills in doing reports, public speaking, and working with a partner. Since she loves books, this would be a good way to expand her comprehension skills and allow her to challenge herself at her own level. Usually when students are done with their work, they are allowed to work on other things. So during these times she could work on the project. Just an idea from a new teacher. I love your post and your dedication to your child. I sometimes feel like some teachers are stuck in a mind frame, not just being pressured and stressed from meeting standards and passing tests. But I always believe that if you think of the child as your ultimate goal, everything else will fall into place as it should. Because ultimately it is the child who matters in all the politics, tests, and numbers.

By: Helen | Pepperina Press

Helen | Pepperina Press — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 13:52:00 +0000

Rule #1 for helping children learn: don’t bore them. I agree, way too many people forget this.

I also think they’re way too quick to look for some “problem” with the child when that child doesn’t conform to the adult’s preferred way of teaching.

It’s sad.