Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Learning Environments Teacher/principal meeting next week HELP!

New here. DS9 had IEP in 2nd grade. Everything academically in 90th percentile or above, some in 99.9%. Memory was word for word what the lady spoke to him, yadda yadda. T-scores (whatever those are) were horrible which I suppose means hes just bound to have conduct disorders as he gets older if not nipped in the butt now. All in all, I remember the team agreeing that he most likely has ADHD BUT because he is OBVIOUSLY learning, theres not much they can do. EXCUSE ME! So, now two years later, I have realized how horribly out of the picture I have been with his school. He had a pretty good year last year for the most part and we all just left things as they were. Problems came up this year again though.

He refuses to do his work sometimes. He manipulates (which dont all gifted children do well? haha). He was in a team of two ppl. He told the girl not to touch something of his. She did and that something broke. He refused to work with her. She told on him to the teacher. He explained the problem. The teacher stated "do you forgive her enough to continue the project?" My son said yes and then continued the project alone. The girl told on him again and he was looked down upon. He explained to me "well she said would I continue the project... she didnt say would I continue it with my partner!" OH MY!!!!

Anyways, I NEED to figure out a game plan for my child. He is the typical gifted sensitive child. He is emotionally behind and socially a disaster at times, playing alone on the playground. He is overheard to talk to himself about wanting to kill himself and when I ask him why, he says because life hurts. That may be another issue with him, however any of his behavior issues are ONLY a problem in the classroom.

I know im rambling. Just trying to give you all the big picture with DS. I am sure you all have the same experiences though.

So, my only concern is what EXACTLY CAN the teacher do for him? More alone time? More harder worksheets? I am afraid if he has higher worksheets to do alone then she wont have the time to help teach him these things if he gets stuck becuase of the 30 other kids!

He is in GATE this year but they wont be doing much since funds are low. Sheesh! The year he gets in, they cant afford anything right?

Ok, I dont know how often I'll check here so if you have any specific advice and have the time feel free to email me at cassandraparrott at yahoo

to add to the emotionally disturbing comments above... the school no longer has the funds for even a care counsoler at the least! So, now I have nowhere to turn for even the littlest help for some sort of therapy. We dont have much income (I still get rent free from my parents) and I cant afford anything intense. So I dont know my options for help there

I think there must be something in your community that's available free or on a sliding scale for you since he's saying he wants to kill himself. Call your doctor, health department, or a suicide prevention hotline (you can use the ones below or look them up by state in the link.) Even if you don't believe your child will act on it, he probably needs to talk to someone. Depression can present as irritability. If it turns out he's ADHD, you should be able to get help with that once things are sorted out with the depression issue.

Suicide Prevention HotLine
�Call 1-800-SUICIDE / 1-800-784-2433
�Call 1-800-273-TALK / 1-800-273-8255
http://suicidehotlines.com/

Cas, Although the majority of gifted children are more sensitive than average, I don�t think the typical gifted child is behind emotionally or a social disaster. My first conclusion regarding your ds playing alone is that he may not have intellectual peers in his grade or at his school.
There is a list that I referred to often when my son was younger which casts a more positive light on the gifted attributes that are often offered as proof of social immaturity.
I don�t have time to look for the article/list now, but I�ll try later.