What she's *wanting* to read at the moment is Watership Down by Richard Adams. Sadly, I've only got a cheap version - the paper is great for her, but the type is tiny! The library's copy is no better. Second on her list is a Star Wars novel (sorry if that makes anyone cringe) and third is a fantasy series about cats (Warriors).
Nothing wrong with Star Wars novels, and there are lots and lots of them. DS13 went through an 'Animorphs' stage around 4 years old, lucky for me that he couldn't read, so I got to edit on the fly. Yuck! Some of those gross images are still with me! But I love SiFi, highbrow or low.
Speaking of SF/cats, she is probably ready for one of my new favorite authors:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_Wynne_JonesEncourage the Chrestomancy Series first,IMHO
She might also like http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gossamer_(novel) although it deals with heavy stuff in a gentle way. And if she likes that, there is a whole 'The Giver' series she might like.
As for being around "normals" for a while...! Ha! At times, I teach at the local community college, so I see "normal" high schoolers - you think I would have caught on, eh? I mean, Dd is *much* more mature than a good percentage of the students I teach. And I know she could out-analyze a few of them, too.
I do teach Sunday school as well (in rotation) and sometimes that clues me in.
Now all you have to do is open your eyes! With your history (mine is similar) it's admirable that you've tried to let your values over rule your good sense, but denial has to go when it's at the expence of your own child. I do think that we as a culture have some work to do to be able to speak respectfully about
a) different people developing at different speeds
b) different people developing in different ways and to higher or lower capasities in particular areas.
I think that every child IS a gift, but not every child is gifted. I would never put an upper limit on what someone can learn, but that isn't the same as not meeting the needs of children who are outside the norm NOW. I'm sure that in time, you will be able to develop a mature and nuanced respectful view of differences between people, and we can all walk 'arm in arm' as we spread these new words and ideas widely.
I've always made an effort to abstain from the "comparison game." I grew up with that with my parents and, quite frankly, have probably gone too far the other direction in trying to avoid that mistake. LOL! But point taken.
It is sad that this is the best our parents could do, but we will do better.
Dd's best friend for years is also gifted and so I've probably come to see them both as "normaal" rather than outstanding in any way.
This is happens all the time.
I'm not familiar with Behavioral Optometrists. Can you give me an idea of what they might be able to do? Our testing was through Indiana University's school of Optometry, pediatric ophthalmology. They do Vision Therapy and such there, though most of Dd's assessment was with an OT. Our "regular" ophthalmologist teaches at I.U., so we figured we'd covered our bases - but perhaps not....
I can't quite tell if you are digging in the right patch or not.
See if this helps:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_optometryThere is a link at the bottom that lists 'parctitioners near you.'
Best Wishes and Welcome!
Grinity
