Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment Could my son be gifted, or am I over thinking?

Okay so let me start off by saying I'm new to this forum. I'm a young single mom, I had my son when I was 17 so I'm still pretty new to everything. My son is 5 years old and just started kindergarten. I will give the reasons of why I think he might be gifted, compared to why I also just think I'm being paranoid and maybe he's just smart in some areas.

My son has always been very advanced with his speech and language. He talks very well for his age, and everyone who he talks to comments on it. He uses words very advance for his age, and he uses them correctly. I don't even know where he comes op with these words half the time. So besides that, when he is telling someone a story or explaining something, he paces in circles or back and forth. He has been doing this for a few years now and it doesn't seem to be getting better. It's actually researching the pacing that made me consider him being gifted. The other thing is when he becomes interested in something he becomes almost obsessed with learning about it. He went through a mummy stage a little over a year ago and my 4 year old could tell you exactly have to do the mummification process on someone. He would tell me how they take the organs out and how they get wrapped in linen and use plant resin as glue, just crazy things like that. That's just one of many things he's become interested in.. He's also very very sensitive and shy and uncoordinated for his age, poor little guy. He is very caring and is concerned about things that kids his age normally don't pay any mind too.

On the other hand, he can't read or write or do math yet hardly at all. While he's very advance in talking and things of that nature, he still can't do those things. I feel as though I'm part to blame as I haven't taken the time to teach him ( I know bad mom award).. He doesn't like holding the pencil correctly and I know that's a big part with the writing aspect. He just hasn't shown much interest in learning the other things until now. I am hoping him being in school will help a lot! So the fact that he can't do those things yet makes me think he's probably just advanced in certain areas and struggles more with others, just like any other kid.

I know he is only 5 and just starting school, so it's probably too early to tell for sure. I want everyone's honest opinions, though, on if you think he could be and I should keep my eyes on him or if I'm just over thinking things and he's normal.. I should also add I'm about 95% sure his cousin is gifted, either gifted or autistic or something. He is just crazy smart but in a different way. Thoughts anyone? Thanks again!

Welcome Smalltowngirl! It sounds like you have a really fun kiddo. At this point, it's hard to say whether he's gifted or not based on the info you gave us, but he has some gifted traits (like the wanting to learn everything there is about mummification at age 4). I think you shouldn't worry too much, but rather try to follow his lead about what he's interested in doing. Is he having fun at school? I'm not sure there is really anything you can keep your eyes on beyond what every parent does -- if he seems unhappy or underchallenged, you will probably notice this and seek out the causes, one of which might be that he is ready for more.

My son also didn't like anything to do with writing, and he still doesn't. I didn't try to make him learn to write before kindergarten -- that is certainly one thing kindergarten is perfect for!

Thank you for your response! I am just going to take it one day at a time, and I will see how things turn out. He seems to be okay in school so far, but it is only his first week. He has normal complaints but nothing bad like his cousin.
His cousin I am almost certain is gifted. He has been reading clocks (not digital) since a very young age without anyone teaching him, he remembers dates and times and numbers like nobody's business, he's learned to read by himself basically and is reading above his school level... He has a horrible attitude in school. He gets bored because he knows everything already, or he won't have something go his way and he will throw desks and chairs and gets very bad. This boy has all the birthdays and ages memorized of even distant relatives at around 3-4. I don't even know their birthdays or ages, so it's crazy to me that he does. All of his teachers are very fascinated with him, because it's obvious he's very intelligent but also has very many emotional issues.
My sister refuses to get him tested because she is in denial, and she says she also can't afford it anyways. Her son once took a knife to his brother and my son because he got angry not getting the attention he wanted... If that doesn't tell you something is up I don't know what will. He could very well be autistic or something as well, but we won't know unless she takes the steps to find out. I feel very bad he isn't getting the care he needs. Any thoughts on him? Does that sound more like being gifted or something more like autism with the emotional issues? Thanks again!

Internet diagnosis is dangerous at the best of times; I won't speculate on your DS's cousin and I doubt others will.

I will comment that a couple of things you've said suggest that you may be seeing social and emotional problems as evidence of giftedness. I think that's a mistake, and one that can lead to a child's difficulties not being addressed. Beware that. But you might like to browse the 2e subforum here for lots of stories of children with both giftedness and other challenges, including things like the issues you've mentioned.

Glad your DS's first week at school went well!

I am by no means trying to get a diagnosis for either of the boys. I just simply wanted opinions from people with gifted children themselves on whether these could be signs. It's my DS's cousins intelligence that makes me believe he may be gifted, rather then his social and emotional problems. I was simply adding those in because it is scary behavior that happens quite frequently, and it needs to be checked out. I've read a little on gifted children and have read a couple of stories of other gifted children with similar issues with school.
I am not at all worried about my son, just simply curious and wanted to get some information. I am worried about his cousin, though, and during these scary and stressful times it's just nice to hear from other people and get some opinions. I am sorry I gave the impression of wanting an online diagnosis. I will be looking in to tests for the cousin and seeing if it's worth it for the price. I read on here they can be quite pricey, but haven't looked much into it yet. Wish him luck that he gets everything he needs.