Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Twice Exceptional Had a good phone conv. with psycologist.

I finally connected with the psychologist whom I had been recommended for my son. Her expertise is working with gifted kids. She seems like a good match on the phone, and says all the right things. And she has space to start seeing him, but our appointment isn't for two weeks. (Because of the holiday weekend) She is $$$ but claims she only sees at most every two weeks, probably less. And that a few session with her this summer might help along with the writing support for next year. (Crossing my fingers.) It sounds like she does have strategies to help get him through H.S. We did talk about options like Early College programs as being a better fit for kids like my son. She also suggested before I even mentioned it that he might have anxiety problems that aggravates the writing issues. She re-iterated how public schools often don't work well for really HG kids, and is just as curious where hit fits on the scale.

She does recommend having him IQ tested but doesn't do it herself. She will give me the recommendations when we meet and that she suggest we wait till summer break for fitting that in.

And yesterday I met with the educational theapist. DS is going to meet with her Wednesday and work on the pre-writting and orginizational skills with him. She was pushing me to call the psychologist because she doesn't really have motivational strategies for gifted kids. But I think after our conversation, and looking over his writing samples she understands where he needs help.

Won't be sure if either of things really help until I see how well DS15 connects with either of these specialists.

Sounds like good progress. Hopefully the specialists will be able to pinpoint what is going on and come up with concrete strategies. I think my 8 year old has similar issues in that anxiety makes her writing worse. It's a downward spiral. The more the teacher is on her case, the more anxious she becomes, and the worse her writing becomes. She finally stopped writing anything at all in that teacher's class. Having perfectionistic characteristics doesn't help either!

Sounds like you have everything under control. Only time will tell whether this series of interventions will be effective. However, you are doing what you can and your DS is very lucky to have such a persistent and resourceful mom.

DS is also lucky we are able and willing to spend the money. The private therapist, and gifted psychologists are expensive. Not to mention a private educational evaluation. But I guess this is less expensive than private school. Although I suppose that might still be necessary.

I just feel a bit guilty I didn't start this in January when he got dropped from the honors English course. Or investigated this in 6th & 7th but we were too busy working on the anxiety & social issues. At the time I tried using a psychologist that insurance covered, and while he was helped he didn't have expertise with gifted students.

And so far DS is not resisting the private intervention. At 15 this would be difficult if he won't cooperate. He is resistant to some of the suggestions at school.