I followed 2 rules with DS8 and now DS5

1) Never tell him he was special only that he was different and that everyone was different in their own ways and that his talents did not earn him any special treatment

2) Had him take up a musical instrument so he could be challenged non-academically and struggle with it and tell him this is normal and not to expect perfection but to practice hard to try and reach it

DS9 - Starting 9th grade
DS7 - Starting 5th grade