Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Twice Exceptional Update and decision to repeat K

So to update some issues I raised in previous threads about DS5:

Timed math tests? Not a problem. He just tries to get more done than he did the week before. His teacher made it optional too. He can choose another math activity if he would rather not do it.

Getting work done and earning (or not earning) free time? I talked to his teacher and she is going to send home some of the writing work. He only attends a few hours a day so doing a worksheet or something with me or his sitter in the morning before school isn't a big deal.

Still on the wait list for the Eides. For about a week he was moved from a fall appointment to mid-May but when I pointed out he would still be five, they put it back to the fall after he turns six. They want to test with the WISC.

In a previous post I was worried that the teachers thought I was some turbo stage mom that couldn't accept that my kid was doing average / below average work because he is a below average / maybe a bit spoiled kid. I was way wrong here. They think he is brilliant and agree that he is probably dyslexic. They also think he is making a lot of progress and working hard. They are glad we are seeking an assessment and continuing with the OT. I also learned that his teacher's daughter is a PhD chemist and dyslexic. I think they "get" him even if he is difficult to motivate sometimes.

Which brings us to the decision to have him repeat K. Where he is going is working out okay and we want to maintain this balance at least until we get the recommendations from the assessment. I realize it is an uncommon move for a gifted kid but I think it will work out.

First, this isn't a normal K class. They work ahead in all areas and every student is on their own plan each week. He will just keep moving along at his pace without any repeat. The science and cultural material will change so it will be completely new. There also might be a few kids repeating and he has a few friends coming up from the preschool. So the gifted and social aspects of school are met with the current situation.

The dyslexia or other E issues will likely be addressed outside of his regular school with remediation specialists/therapists. The K class has a half day option which might make this easier. That isn't to say that the school doesn't want to be involved, just that it is too small to have special Ed teachers. Like with our OT, he doesn't do it at school but we all collaborate when necessary.

So that is where we are at this point.

Thanks for all the support and advice that has helped me get through this year.

Well, that's very cool. It's nice when things are flexible, great that you can tread water and problem solve, here at the beginning.

KJP, sounds very strategic to me. With a kid like this, you'll have to adjust your sails as you go along-- doing what's right for now makes sense.

DeeDee

It sounds like you are making a well thought out decision with the emphasis on what is right for your son at this time. From what you've described it sounds like you've made a good decision and that you will be on the lookout to change things if and when it becomes necessary. Yay for you (and for your DS)!

Hurray-- you have come to a place where you have a "right-for-now" plan. That's way more feasible than a "RIGHT" one that is set in stone.

Very wise to know that you're looking at what seems to be the right thing for the immediate future and knowing that it could change later on. You child is fortunate indeed to have such a loving advocate!

I meant to add that he is an early entrance K so he isn't going to be behind actually. Also, if we decide to stay at this school, the next class up is mixed 1st-8th.

Having a workable plan that doesn't involve new teachers for the next 18 months feels pretty good!

I have an HGish dyslexic 16 year old with a June birthday. When he was in first grade they *very strenuously* urged me to hold him back. Instead, I decided to homeschool him. In a homeschool setting, he ended up starting high school coursework in 8th grade.

Fast forward to now. A few weeks ago I withdrew him from an IB program at the only private school in the area. He was getting mostly As and a few B+s, but he was extremely unhappy as IB as it is played out at this school is heavily humanities focused and he is a STEM person.

He is also young. So we're going to use this opportunity to let him incubate for a year before going to college. He will "repeat" his junior year at the community college and then go on to get an associate's degree in his area of interest.

My point here (since I'm quite sure this has rambled totally!) is that you should decide what is right for your son *now* and you can decide later if the placement is correct down the road. Just keep in mind that it is easier to undo a skip than it is to redo it. If the school he is in now will allow a skip redo, then I say go for it.