Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Friendships

DeeDee
What about this scenario - my DS7 is often a loner but can also be exceptionally social, especially with adults. In school he likes to play by himself during recess because he wants a break from people and kids to enjoy what's in his head. When he does play, even with gifted age mates, he wants to play his imaginary games, and tends to not want to do what others what because "it's not as good as mine". But with older kids, is more than happy to play their games, to do give and take, in short to play appropriately

How do you tell the difference between not being interested in playing things that don't fully engage him and that being an actual problem? Is it being able to play normally when choosing to?

I was worried about DS until I went on a field trip. He doesn't have "best friends" he never wanted play dates but then i saw that he is liked and engages appropriately. I think he finds the play of his age mates, again even in his gifted school, to get boring over time. So then he opts out. But is that really a problem - I guess what I am asking - is how do you know when it's an issue?

DeHe