Hi Action,
What you describe was exactly the experience of our son when he was that age. His school had lousy supervision of students and taunters went unobserved. In retrospect, I wish we'd made louder protests about this. All school professionals should be alerted to any bullying, taunting, and stop it. Those doing it should be accountable. Our son's personality/carriage was unusual, geeky, chatty, and stood out. He was not socially smooth. This went on for years in public school. He spiraled down into a full-blown anxiety disorder, OCD, by the time he was in 4th grade. He had angry outbursts at home because he hated school, understandably. ADHD was also diagnosed. We had years of emotional disturbance until his admission into a sci tech h.s. Then, when he began Ritalin, his grades shot up, he had better focus, and his social skills improved from Ritalin. The impulsive chatter that drew peer criticism toned down. Does he have any allies? If not, perhaps a counselor could help him connect/create some. Our son was denied gifted services and never made close friends in his classes, though he had one friend elsewhere.
Looking back, I wish we'd home schooled. Do any town's around you have full-day G&T classes? Would you consider moving to a better dist? If he is miserable, would a Sat. community class give him some relief? Does he have friends through any other community activities to bring some comfort? I know these don't alleviate hugely or rectify the school environment. I empathize deeply; there is not an easy answer to making other kids like ours. He's now in a Ph.d program and doing well.
Last edited by san54; 01/31/09 06:55 AM.
