I'm not sure "abstract comparisons" is the correct term, but hopefully it'll work. I have 2y9m identical twin boys who've recently been diagnosed with some social communication issues (possible PDD). I posted on these boards about some of their skills back in March (
http://giftedissues.davidsongifted.org/BB/ubbthreads.php/topics/41688/1.html). To paraphrase, they had taught themselves the alphabet, upper & lower case, and all the letter sounds by 2 years old, in addition to some other things. Because of their communication problems, it's tough to tell where they're at cognitively. For example, if you try to get them to sort blocks by color, they look bored and wander off. But these are the same boys who'll spin the water blade-thing in the dishwasher and excited tell me "Dishwasher like a helicopter! Like a lawnmower!" The other day, one of them was drinking milk out of a no-spill straw sippy cup, and watching the milk get sucked back into the cup. He looked up at me and said "Cup just like a vacuum cleaner!"
When we had the boys tested through Early Intervention, they wouldn't sort the Testers' toys the way she wanted, and as a result they scored low enough on cognition to qualify for services in that area too. It seems to me that the abstract-type comparisons they're making are advanced for their age, but I don't really know. Does anyone know when kids normally start doing this? Any input you guys might have is very appreciated!
Thanks,
Julie
