Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Articulation

DS7 has a problem with articulation. He can't seem to get his thoughts out in words. It's something that I've noticed in the past but has become more apparent since he's gone back to school.

Many times he'll start to tell me something, then just say "oh never mind" as if it's just too much trouble. He says that his head goes too fast for his vocal chords. Answering questions orally in class has become torture.

Has anyone else dealt with this? I'm looking for suggestions as to how to help him.

Can he say what he was thinking about a little while later when the conversation has moved on and when that thought is no longer relevant to the discussion or is he holding onto too many trains of thought at one time and following at least one other persons, usually a few more, trains of thought simultaneously in a conversation;Then whatever he was thinking is just irretrivibly gone until he gets de ja vu' from a similar thought in a different context?

I honestly don't know. He just can't seem to get the words out. He used to say that his pencil couldn't keep up with his brain which made writing hard until he learned how to type.

I experienced that as a child. I had so much that I wanted to say, but I couldn't physically say all of it as quickly as the wheels were turning in my mind. It became easier over the years as my physical skills caught up with my mind, though reading outloud still gives me problems, as I read much faster than I speak... If it's communicating his ideas, perhaps he could type what he's thinking and then discuss it before "losing it" in a burst of insight into something. This has helped me communicate more efficiently, as well as organize my thoughts before presenting them for someone's consideration...

And if the cat's got his tongue, like in oral reading, tell him to "sing it out". Try reading in a sing song voice. I'll admit it's cheesy, but hey, when you can't find your voice...

When I was a kid if I had something to add to a finished conversation with someone (burst of insight) I would stop everything and find them or wait for them because if I did anything else I would forget. I <3 txt & e-mail. I even e-mail myself stuff. And the iPhone comes with a great little pocket notebook built in.

My daugther did that as well when she was young. It slowed down and then stopped by around fourth grade. I just did not call attention to it.