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Hello. My DS (6) summer birthday has qualified for gifted services in our district. Barely made the cut off.


IOWA
Math 99
Reading 87

Cogat Scores:
Verbal 97
Quantitative 99
Non-Verbal 84 (misbehaving during this section)
Composite 98

NNAT: 94


He has always seemed rather advanced since I can remember but has behavior problems at school. Mostly, having to be told to follow directions more than once. Interrupting while talking. Not being able to sit still during semi-unstructured time such as listening to a story. But he can give a full summary about the story. Able to sit for long times during activities he enjoys such as �creating books� and drawing or reading books he find interesting. Seems to not be paying attention, wondering eyes when talking to him, touching EVERYTHING while in the store.

I noticed at home he also has trouble following directions the first time. For example, I have to remind him almost daily not to run up the stairs and he will do it again 30 minutes later. When redirected, he says �oops oh right, I forgot.� Or when getting ready for bed I�ll ask him to get dressed but he is distracted by telling me a story and he�s not dressed when I return. Respectfully says he forgot and then corrects behaviors.


On the non-verbal section of the Cogat which was given on the third day his teacher called to say that he had been disruptive that day. Upset about not being able to doodle in the book and being defiant. I thought he would certainly bomb the non-verbal section after hearing this.


My question is, I�ve always thought there may be some adhd traits going on but I figured the teachers would bring it up. They haven�t. Simply saying he can�t keep still and needs multiple directions but is somehow able to test well and complete assignments accurately and fast. Fast learner and only need a few repetitions before mastery even while misbehaving. Creates no ways of solving problems. He seems bored when it�s too easy so he�s off task. But QUICKLY shuts down when it�s too challenging before even trying.

For those who have been identified as 2e, did you see similar behaviors in your little one? I am trying to understand if what I am seeing is that of a gifted child or potentially twice exceptional with adhd. I know that giftedness and adhd can both exist but I can�t quite figure out if it�s typical behavior or if he�s struggling with behavior problems from a lack of structure or he�s wired that way. His teacher requested an unofficial behavior plan. He�s also newly 6 (younger one in his class) and a quick Google search says he�s too young to be accurately diagnosed with ADHD?

Sorry for the ramble. I wanted to provide as much detail as possible to get your input. What do you all think?
Posted By: aeh Re: 2e or Misbehaving Because of Other Reasons? - 01/15/23 01:03 AM
Welcome, Skittles!

Based on the little bit of data presented, it is, of course, not possible to say absolutely how to attribute the behaviors you've described, but the more important question is what to do about them, and for that there is more of an evidence-basis. The kind of dysregulated behaviors listed all speak to growth needs in executive functions--which is, on some level, developmentally expected for a very little person. They are also the key lagging skills in neuroatypicalities like ADHD, but we don't need a label to address skills deficits. Regardless of the etiology, executive functions can be taught/improved. The teacher's suggestion of an informal behavior plan is a reasonable strategy for scaffolding the development of executive functions in a way that fits the setting. Portia's excellent suggestions for simultaneously observing patterns of behavior and providing movement and sensory opportunities are a complementary strategy that adapts the setting to the child.

In terms of the scores, as Portia notes, they are relatively even--and the one somewhat different score both has clinical notes on reduced reliability/validity, and has an analog (NNAT) that is more in keeping with the rest of the profile, suggesting that the difference should not carry too much weight.

A good practical resource for understanding executive functions and how to develop/scaffold them is the works of Peg Dawson:
https://www.smartbutscatteredkids.com/books/

Here's her classic handbook on children:
https://www.amazon.com/Smart-but-Scattered-Revolutionary-Executive/dp/1593854455
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