Does anyone else here have a GT child with other issues as well? DD is 8 years old and in 2nd grade. She was identified as GT in kindergarten. Academically, her grades are exceptional. It is not unusual for her to get a 100 on her report card in more than one subject. She is in a dual language program (Spanish/English), and she is doing as well as (or even better) than native Spanish speakers in Spanish even though DH and I are Anglo and don't speak Spanish at all (a good 80% of her class is Hispanic and many of them have at least one Spanish-speaking parent or grandparent).
But...that being said...last week, DH and I had a conference with her teachers, and the poor thing is having at least 1 meltdown per day. She cannot calm herself, and luckily, her teachers realize she is not doing it on purpose. She has meltdowns trying to find a book every week in the library though it is a clear routine. She has meltdowns if the slightest thing changes in the schedule. She has meltdowns if they are doing something in PE she does not like. She has high anxiety if a test is timed and usually the last one finished with her work (though almost always her grade will be 100%). She had one meltdown episode so severe, her teacher had to send her to both the principal and the counselor, and my daughter didn't even tell us about it; her teachers told us days later at the conference. (Luckily, the school principal is a wonderful woman and has told us she has an intense GT child of her own, so that helps.) In addition, DD is sensitive to loud noises and will not use any of the school restrooms except the nurse's restroom because the others all have hand blow dryers. She's got other sensory issues too like tons of foods she will not eat (doesn't like to combine foods - will not eat pizza but will eat bread, cheese, pepperoni all separately), clothes have to not be too tight (won't where blue jeans at all, must wear socks inside out), etc.
Needless to say, the teachers are having DH and me come back later in the spring to work on a behavior (IEP) plan with the school counselor, but what to do in the meantime...?
She is just one INTENSE little girl! Anyone else have a GT kid like this and how do you cope?! Some days I want to pull my hair out! It's hard to remember she is who she is and getting frustrated at her won't do anything but make it worse.
