Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion stories about finding like peers?

DS8 is HG and has had such a difficult time finding peers who have the same interest that he does. We are on our 4th year of homeschooling and he is super involved with everything from Acting class to co-op classes to several years in scouting but we still have such a difficult time finding friends who have anything in common. Does anyone else have this problem and any recommendations?

He is SO into robotics, computer programming, TRAINS (this is his passion), rocketry, legos, nature hikes/kayaking, coin/rock collecting. While most of the other kids in the group are into DS and playing online games...which has never really been an interest for him.

I felt so awful for him the other day at a park get together - he tried SO hard...he agreed to play a game with 2 other kids that he really wasn't that interested in and they promised him that if he played their game for awhile then they would play his game idea....well after 45 minutes of playing their game, he asked if they could now try his and they said no...he was so disappointed and came to me and said he was tired of feeling so weird and different and wished their was someone who had the same interests that he could play with. We have tried SO many times to find anyone in our area but no luck...would love to hear your stories or suggestions!

For us, Belle, this was the biggest benifit of joining Davidson's Young Scholar Program. We got very lucky with that.
I would suggest attending some sort of gifted program, such as those organized by your state, or these:

www.hoagiesgifted.org/conferences.htm

and hand out 'business cards' with contact info, and bring a black book to set up future playdates.

Also ask the teachers (and Gifted Coordinator if there is one) for some possible names. Teachers might be willing to help by pairing up your son at school projects with likely other boys.

Also try local chess clubs and robotic teams and library book clubs (maybe start a parent/child book club if there is none)
Is there a local train enthusiast's club? Geology group? Coin group? Even if it's for adults, I would attend with your son to try and contact some 'likely' social sources.


Once you've chased down some possibilities, I'd use the book 'Friends Forever' to make the most of your hard work.

How are our kids supposed to practice their social skills when there are so few kids on their wavelength?

Love and More Love,
Grinity