I also see that boys are aloud to cry more now, Delbows. DS10 cried sometimes. I think that kids who's emotional recievers are set to monitor others, will take things in stride more than kids who spend more time with their emotional recievers set to focus their inner life. I thinks that this is normal, and somewhat inborn.
OTOH, DS10's worst year socially was when he was in the room with the teacher who critisized him openly. Partially because he was stressed and misbehaving, and partially because the kids had support to take an obnoxious attitude toward him.
Dealande, I'm so sorry your child spent so much time being picked on! No one deserves that, even if they cry, they are "too intense" or "notice too many things." Realistically when a highly gifted child has to spend hours and hours in classrooms where the "popular" kids are developmentally at a much lower level, then a child would have to be "highly gifted in Charisma" ((As DS10 puts it)) to be popular. If the academic situation can't be changed, then at least try for some afterschool relationships where the child can "be liked for who he is."
The tape recorder trick is an amazing story!
Best Wishes,
Trin
