We did what you are doing with increasing physical activities...he went to the "engine room" every morning before school started; had activity breaks during the day to do "heavy work" like pushing against the wall and crab walks; and he has fidgits at his desk since he has to touch something while he is listening to the teacher. He also has a squishy seat cushion on his chair and squishy foot pedals for his feet.
As for the gifted ID, he had his initial evaluation prior to entering public school and then every 3 years there is a mandatory re-evaluation which includes IQ tests. It was after receiving the results of this second set of tests, that we requested the school to complete the process of gifted identification; which in our school system includes the IQ tests and achievement tests, plus teacher evaluation and grades. Once he was id'd, they put specific clauses in his IEP requiring the teacher to get more detailed answers from him and a couple other specifics. On June 9th, we are getting a brand new IEP for the new gifted school, and I can PM the exact items we will put in it regarding academics if you'd like!
My DS does the same thing yours does in regards to books...they calm him right down. He has a favorite book in his backpack (the teacher requested it) to read if he feels like he needs that instead of a physical activity. DS would not have been able to know what he needed at age 4, though...you are lucky your son can tell what he needs.
Nan
