Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Looking for a btdt. Meltdown in reception

Hi. My ds5 started recption this week(we are in the uk)

To recap, his behavour has steadily deteriorated in the last year. He was ready for school last september but I was unable to get him in.

So he started on tuesday and was ok. Had a fight in the playground but mostly calm on the way home.

Wednesday, He wakes me up at six am with what I call Hyper woodpecker questioning(following me around and incessant interogation) and I recognize the signs. He is bored. Minor meltdown prior to school, but I get him there.

Major meltdown in the playground when I picked him up. He seems unable to articulate what is wrong, but complains it is boring and babyish.

A further two meltdowns last night and back to his old tricks of not sleeping and adhd like behaviour. He hasn't been this bad for a long time.
Last night in the bath he counts up to Thousand very loudly and shouts out numbers and skip counts.

Today. Five am, I awake to "mummy is infinity a friend or not a friend(odd or even)"

We then get to school early (always a sign of hyper behaviour in our house)and he is pacing around the playground counting up to a thousand and shouting number problems and facts. Everybody stared.

How long should I leave this? The school does have a parents evening mid term, say five weeks as they want to assess them first and the teacher has thirty children in the class.

When I approached her this morning, as it was reading day and he wanted me to tell her that he could read she just looked.

I had an awful year last year with him and following the summer holidays I am on my knees. We had a simular problem when he was two and had to wait a year to go to nursery. I just can't go through with that again.

I am aware that he is far beyond the curriculum in reception, but as it is all so new and only two days in I am surprised that this is kicking in so soon.

He can be very uncooperative and will only complete tasks if he can ace them and they are challenging. He is insulted if asked to do anything he considers below his level. Any advice?

Hi Rachibaby - I'm sorry things are going so poorly. I don't have a BTDT for you, as my DS4 is still in preschool. However, I would comment on a couple of your points. As to how long to leave this, I wouldn't leave it any longer. I would try to set up a meeting with his teacher first, then go higher up if nothing is addressed re: something to challenge your DS.

Did anyone at the school know ahead of time what level your DS is? Maybe contact that person again for assistance.

Is there any chance of acceleration to a higher grade or higher math/reading groups? He seems to be well beyond reception in terms of academics.

Good luck.

My DD6 was in a poor educational fit with an unsupportive teacher last year. We had some severe reactionary behavior issues. Not sure it our situation is similar to yours, but it does sound familiar.

We deferred to the child psychologist that evaluated the girls for giftedness for advice and help. He has his doctorate in psychology and has a special interest in gifted children. He seems to have a real beat on HG/PG as well.

It helped a lot. Good luck.

Neato

Rachibaby, have you considered looking around the UK for a GT specialist? Or a retired schoolteacher who can help you? What about a Catholic school which will accelerate him?

I know your personal situation is tough, but unless you change something, it will just get worse.