Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Failing and Acting Out

It wasn't easy, and I spend a lot of time with the teachers and principal. He did therapy for over a year, and a group therapy program. (Designed for kids with ADD & Aspergers, he isn't diagnosed with either but he did fit in.) We still work on his completing all his homework. One advantage is the honors classes at the H.S. the grade is more dependent on his test/essay scores and less on the homework. DS usually test very well.

I agree it's the love of learning that they kill quite effectively this way. We had to fight to keep my son in honors science after a particularly tedious/boring 8th grade science class. Luckily DS ended up with an excellent Biology teacher and this year it's his favorite class. That be the case, since I'm not planing on homeschooling, he does have to learn to live with the system he is in and that means completing the homework.

Part of DS's issue with homework is he is a bit of a perfectionist. By this I mean if he doesn't KNOW an answer he won't write anything. Since many teachers grade more by completion because they are too busy, other kids learn to bullshit some their homework. Part of me is glad this is the case, but often it just gets frustrating. He can take a long time to fill out a very unimportant piece of homework. This can be particularly a problem when there is an error in the wording of the problem, or it the question is vague or has no clear "right" answer.

James T. Webb, Ph.D, author of A Parent's Guide to Gifted Kids has a newly released book (2013, Great Potential Press) which may be of interest and provide expert guidance and support: Searching for Meaning: Idealism, Bright Minds, Disillusionment, and Hope. There is a free online book preview sample at this link.

The table of contents and subjects covered can be previewed on Amazon, using the "look inside" feature.

Some topics include idealism as a characteristic of the gifted, the relationship between anger and depression, examining one's life, managing one's emotional state, turning disillusionment into opportunities for personal growth, unhealthy coping styles, healthy coping styles.

Existential depression and other forms of depression are discussed. The book ends on a strong positive note in discussing happiness and lasting contentment.