Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Twice Exceptional Math Olympiad

So, my Ds (the gifted one with dysgraphia, dyspraxia, EDS) would like to do Math Olympiad at school this year. How bad of an idea is it for him? Does anyone know? I am always hesitant to sign him for stuff like this because of his disabilities . But then I get annoyed (as does he) that he (discouraged? can't? afraid?) participate in stuff like this b/c he is not neurotypical. So, I just signed him up and decided - we'll just see how it goes. Now I am wondering if anyone here has had their 2e child participate and how it went?

ETA - the teacher running the club knows my DS well. He went to her enrichment math pull-out class all last year. She has been to our iep meetings. She was actually the 1st teacher (the only one so far actually) who was all like "does anyone see that this kid has some sort of writing problem?"

The Math Olympiad problems do not inherently require a lot of writing, they are thinking problems with a single numeric answer. My borderline-dysgraphic son has more trouble with being willing to write down intermediate steps and rushing through problems with the wrong assumption than anything else.

His outside of school math club talks through the problems and solutions with minor notes on a white board. If discussions aren't central to your school's club, then encouraging that is probably of benefit to everyone.

I think its a great idea. If this is MOEMs it doesn't require you to write beyond the answer(no showing work). If it Math Kangaroo, that's multiple choice as are the AMC tests at the next level. The teacher likes and understands him. Sounds ideal, why wouldn't you do it.

I am pretty sure it is MOEMs! Yay, I am glad it is a possibility regardless of it is Moems, Kangaroo or AMC!



Well, now, let's not get carried away! She knows of his issues. Not sure she actually likes him!
LOL In fact, at this point I am not sure how she will react when she sees he signed up. She could be discouraging if she sees him as a pita. He was in her pull-out not because of her but because he passed a test every month.


I don't know, I just get nervous with outside class stuff in a way. Inside "class" he has an iep - people can't mess with that. Outside activities - they just don't seem to be or feel inclusive to me. (this is just my own feeling - I could be wrong overall). Like, my son loves to creative write but needs either a scribe or to do it on a computer so any creative writing camps often are very discouraging. They very reluctant/unhappy to have him. They often cite that he will not be happy or he'll have a bad experience as their reason for reluctance. I just wondered if it'll be the same with this... But, yeah, the teacher of the club does fully know about his disability; so, there will not be that learning curve where I have to educate and explain, etc. while watching the reluctance and fear creep across the person's face !

You might find this interesting, Irena. The school is obligated to support him in extracurriculars as well as during school time.

Thanks Zen! Feeling more optimistic it really will be fun for him!

If she understands him well enough to be an ally and advocate at IEP meetings that is pretty good. If you feel she gets your kid in a way other teachers don't, that may be as good as it gets.

If you are concerned, I would ask her what she thinks.

True!

Thanks, ElizabethN. Good info!