I think with the 1st born we don't really know what's normal and it takes time to realize that they are gifted. With the next child we think we already know how gifted kids behave, what to expect, what milestones to look for. The truth is that we mostly compare to the older ones and get nervous when they are not like them. If they are ahead in something it's great but if there is something they are not as good as them we think that they are behind. Or at least I do.
I remember a while ago (about 1.5 years ago) I read on a gt board a description of a gt child. The mother was asking if others thought he was gifted. I thought of course he was, no doubt about that. Then it hit me that my younger one (similar age to child in question) could do all that plus some. Except that I didn't consider him gt because he wasn't obsessed with letters at the age of 15 months and didn't memorize hundreds of sight words at the age of 2. I was in for a big surprise when he started reading earlier than his older brother did.
Right now I am quite sure that DS4 is HG, but I still think he is not as smart as DS5. DS5 is exceptional in math and DS4 comes nowhere close to him at this age. Who cares that he is better verbally and did quite a few things earlier than DS5? He doesn't do as well in math and honestly doesn't seem as precious as DS5 was at his age.
