Fast Boy has an IEP and was previously placed in the “Exceptional Child Program” for behavioral and emotionally disabled children. We get feedback regarding his behavior on a pretty consistent basis. We see reports on what goals have been set for him and what he needs to improve on. So, I’m sorry that I was completely confused by the “Nurtured Student Letter” that came home from school earlier this week.
I thought it was just another politically correct way of requesting that my son get some more individual attention to help him with his school work. Well, I was right… but not in the way that I thought. Fast Boy has been recommended by his teacher and invited into the “Academically and Intellectually Gifted Program” (AIG) at school. Apparently he is demonstrating mastery of his grade level curriculum, at least in reading.
I’ve always known that ADHD children can be very intelligent (which is what helps him find so much trouble) and that they can become hyper-focused on things they enjoy, but this just stunned me. When the AIG specialist told me that he was interpreting Carl Sandburg poems, I didn’t know how to respond. You just never know what will interest him.
More discussion has to be done before we decide to put him in the program. The AIG classes take place one hour a week outside of the regular classroom. Fast Boy is already out of the classroom twice a week for the EC program. He doesn’t like being removed from his normal class. He is used to that being associated with some disciplinary action. I guess we’ll just have to talk it over and see what he thinks.
I have a call in to the EC program Coordinator to get her opinion as well. I’d like to see him excel and take advantage of the AIG program, but I need to make sure that everything jives together and that Fast Boy’s other special needs are met. For example, if Fast Boy is loving the reading, but is going to lose control because he is asked to write about what he read, can special accommodations be made so that he can type instead? (Handwriting is a frustration point for him that would make him give up.) I want to know that someone is there looking out for him.
I’m so pleased! I hope this works out.
Life with Fast Boy 