Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Is DS really that different?

I get it-- yes, the top 1% or fraction of 1% is makes a kid different academically, and probably in other ways too.

I think many parents have hang ups thinking/talking about high intellect, so much so that we may second guess it even when our own children exhibit signs.

Once giftedness is established, it's hard to sort through needs because needs vary from child to child-- and we're generally taught that children should go to school and behave themselves, do their work, and not make waves. I have learned through my son however, that boredom in school should be only an occasional thing- perhaps when learning how to construct a sentence or practicing spelling words-- not an all day, every day situation. I don't know who could function happily in that kind of environment.

This is all a bit disjointed, but you're not alone in your feelings. Yes, an HG child is going to have academic needs that far exceed what is provided in a typical classroom. Yes, it's absolutely okay to discuss this with teachers and other parents of gifted kids. No, I wouldn't talk about it much with parents of typical kids. In spite of good intentions, no one likes it said, implied, etc. that what is good enough for their child is not good enough for your child.