IME the label becomes useful when the child shows a need to name differences. We prepped this for our 2Es by routinely talking about differences in many ways, so that they would see themselves within the "everyone's unique with gifts and challenges" mindset.
At 11, DS is getting to be pretty articulate about this. We have fought arrogance with this kid (he cannot help but notice how much faster he learns than others, and by nature he is impatient with them), but I think he's doing okay in coming to terms with all the ways he's different from others, and also like them.
ETA: in response to your original post: no, we don't homeschool. We have learned to advocate for appropriate placements, differentiation, and acceleration. It's not close to perfect, but homeschool wouldn't have been, either. My 2Es needed the social training that school provides.
Last edited by DeeDee; 05/10/14 06:56 AM.
