Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Twice Exceptional LDs and district GT testing, and when to jump ship

I've never lived in a place where we had the choice or possible opportunity for a GT program or school public or otherwise so I can't help with that.

I never saw that article. It's interesting. Not very encouraging and as you know my DD is now in 3rd, has never been accommodated for either Es of her 2Es and it's not that great however I'm not ready to jump ship yet, mostly because

1) she will pop back after decompressing or on weekends and there are non-school activites for her to do in the community where she has the chance of meeting other funky kids and having interesting adults in important positions give her positive feedback for her contributions and accepting her uniqueness.

2) academic learning does happen for her, just not in school...and I do think her teacher is helping her with the writing process. I honestly don't know what to do about the handwriting but hopefully that will come after her private evals later this spring.

3) there are no other suitable options right now for other schools, no open enrollment across districts, no charters or magnets, and I won't consider any privates until we get the more indepth testing and I can "present" her most appropriately to a new school. I don't think at this point we'll have her continue through the middle school track for this district and I have some other ideas that will develop over the next 1 1/2 years as we explore and gather info.

4) She would not accept homeschooling at this point because she loves the process of walking to school, she's making some inroads with dealing with kids who bug her (and we're heaping on the compliments for that) she's learning to self-advocate in a more smooth manner. We do take those "mental health days" when, oops, sorry, couldn't get that doctor's appointment any time except during the school day! However because we homeschooled for 1/2 of K and 1st, we continue to act like we live on 1 salary because we would not hesitate to take her out again if things sunk really far really quickly.

For knowing when to jump ship, if your child is so down that they are not eating, playing, interested in their home passions even after "decompressing" at the end of the school day or going into the weekend, things like that...that's time for some serious action. Either pulling them out and homeschooling/unschooling if you can or decent counseling, some combination...

For the gifted/LD testing for the school, can you get some articles that best help you articulate the 2E issue and just call or write to the school and ask them about accommodations etc.? Is there anything on Wrightslaw that helps you get your thoughts/questions together? Or your state's LD organization if there is one? One thing I've done is joined a local group/network for parents of kids with learning differences and they offer all sorts of workshops that you can pick and choose from. I've signed up for a "parent advocacy 101" workshop, which isn't for another 7 weeks or so but it's in enough time to start getting ready for the next grade.

I'm not happy at all with her school experience and the things she's missing by not being appropriately challenged academically at school. Often she's too tired after school for me to to any supplement during the week, so I've given up on that. But she reads her library books and she is learning ALOT. For the history, they've not learned any history at all in 3rd grade, and just some very, very basic geography earlier in the year. But they can't keep her from learning it anyway.

I'm on this all the time and there honestly isn't anything I think I could have done better so far. I'm not happy with the private assessments we had in the past because they weren't explained well. It was like "congratulations, you have a very bright child!" here is the outline to give to the school, good luck! But neither were serious enough about the peaks and valleys. I did have the sense to ask, but unfortunately the valleys are still average enough and I was laughed at (literally, the first educational psychologist laughed out loud when I asked him about learning disabilities) and the second one just looked at me like I was deranged and said "such a bright child who can learn so well DOES NOT have learning disabilities"

So what can I say...I try not to mentally beat myself up or feel too guilty. We work on things as we go but try not to focus too much on the deficits, and enjoy our family life above all else.

Good luck : - )