Ha!
On March 22nd, 2003, DS, now 5, was conceived. I knew moments after the deed that I was pregnant, and had a slightly positive test a week and a half later... and a full blown YOU ARE HAVING A BABY test a week after that. I am starting with that because from that day, I have always had an amazing connection with DS. He was our little surprise, as having a child was not on the agenda. And he continues to surprise us to this day.
In December, he was born with wide open eyes and a sturdy head (which freaked me out b/c I was always told newborns need so much head support, etc...). A few weeks later, he rolled over.
Before age one, he had a real vocabulary, could sing and dance all the Wiggles songs, knew his alphabet (the letters, not the song), colors, shapes, animals and animal sounds. He was also the only 1 year old that I have ever seen eat his first birthday cake with a fork. He was fascinated with books and learning shows far beyond his age and though he couldn't read, he would stare at the words and pictures so intensely. And while he didn't stay in the lines, he loved to color, paint & drew pictures of real things. This is also the time he stopped napping on a regular basis.
At 18 months, we took him out of his daycare and put him in private care. He was the only baby, and the lady that watched him had three older kids, her youngest 2 years older than DS was. Everyday I'd here "you know that's not normal" or "you know he is extremely bright for his age", but still I was in denial.
At 22 months old, his baby sister was born. She was the newborn I had always heard about. When she didn't roll over so early or eat cereal as early or talk as early, etc, I began to wonder if there was something wrong with her.
I remember turning DS's tricycle over when he was about 2 to show him how to pedal with his arms (that way it didn't move, just the wheel), and after turning it back over, he got on it and drove off. And thinkin' back, he's always been that kind of kid that only had to be shown once. He had a Leapster before the recommended age and could play the games that DD3 is still not really able to figure out (physically). He never asked "why", but he has ALWAYS been curious. And when he asks a question, he always repeats it back in his own words to make sure he understands it.
At about 2.5, he was very into reading us the Brown Bear books (panda bear, polar bear, etc). Only, we assumed he memorized them. Right before he turned three, he picked up a new book that we had never read and read every single word. I was absolutely stunned. At that point, I begin reflecting back on all the things that he did accomplish way earlier than his sister and began to put the puzzle pieces together. My DS is "special" (still in Gifted denial).
At age 4, we began having behavior problems in school, and I realized it was because he was so far advanced than most of his peers, and he was flat out bored. At this time he was back in a daycare setting, and we moved him to a new school. He had a great teacher that really understood how to deal with him. Challenge him, keep him engaged, and he will be the best behaved kid ever. Allow him to be completely bored, and he will act up.
I called every school, the school board, etc to try to get him into kindergarten for this school year and no one would budge. "if he was born in September" would be their response (we have a sept 1 bday rule). Or, "we don't let anyone in per the state's rules".
So, I've let it ride at this point. Unsure if he was just advanced in reading, and knowing he's a boy, I figured I would just see how pre-K went and how the beginning of Kindergarten went. Besides, it's not like he's a math WHIZ (though now he does simple multiplication WHEN I can get him to work with me... he works better for other "teachers". I'm mom, so it's not my "job" to him). Though he is into science and motor sports (and his memory is CRAZY good).
But after finding the K assessment test to get into 1st grade several months back, I'm back to being quietly proactive to at least make sure he is challenged once he enters K in August. They don't start simple addition until the end of the year, and they don't expect them to read anywhere near his current level until 2nd or 3rd grade (if not later). *sigh*
We've decided to hold off testing for now, but to revisit it during the school year if needed. We want him to feel comfortable in a new school setting, etc... he's my shy kid, so I don't want to just throw him into the pot. I know he's probably not profoundly gifted, but I believe he is at least moderately gifted. In Dr. Ruf's levels, he is definitely a 3 (gifted denial on my part?), if not a 4, with like 2 or 3 traits of 5 (I'm a 2 or 3 myself).
http://www.educationaloptions.com/resources/resources_how_smart.php People always ask what *I* did, and I respond with "Nothing. If I did, I'd be a millionaire right now, or at least on late night infomercials."
The most frustrating thing for me is if I mention his abilities, I get a denial response from the other person... as if it's just not possible. As if he might be able to read at a 3rd or 4th grade level or do math at a 1st or 2nd grade level, but he doesn't actually comprehend what he's doing or know what to do when he gets "stuck" on something. And that there is NO way that his intelligence should overule the dang birthday rule OR be the reason he is appropriately placed grade wise for his education.
The cool thing through all of this though is I have learned SO much about myself and all the things that have gone wrong with MY education and personal life (like why I had such a huge issue with my self-esteem, common in gifted girls who don't get put on the right educational path). And, my connection with that baby that was conceived on March 22nd, 2003 is absolutely amazing.
~Dani
Mom to DS5 & DD3
