Academically and Intellectually Gifted
Posted by One Tired Mama on November 2, 2007
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 
koshka said
Take advantage of the gifted program. I was in it from 4th grade till I graduated from high school. I think you’ll be surprised by how much of a difference it can make. I know it allowed me to focus on what I wanted and not what the teachers wanted me to and it allowed me to interact with other kids similar to me. Also, as long as you are open with the teachers about your son and his strong/weak points, I’m sure everyone involved in the AIG program will cooperate. I know the people running my gifted program worked with us. However, if your son needs a very structured environment, you might want to figure out if that could be provided. I suffered a bit in my gifted program just because it was so relaxed.
Good luck and I hope the gifted program works out for him.
-koshka
dj3756 said
Been there done that with the fast boy I mean, good luck with the program, there was no such animal when my boy was growing up.
Shane said
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Karen said
If your kid is bored in his regular classroom, the AIG program might make school interesting for him. A lot of behavior problems are based on boredom. I put my kids in a Montessori school so they can work at their own pace in their regular classroom. My son reports being teased about being in books ahead of his grade, but it’s my experience that all gifted people get teased about being smarter.
Ron said
Hi,as you stated in your question about the handwriting problems in school. I would suggest you invite the technology department or someone from the dept. to your IEP meeting and take advantage of the technology. We have not even begun to look at the various ways to teach and help our children. We focus so much on the disability and not on the strengths of the child. There should be a balance. Disability and strengths! An IEP meeting involves collaboration from all sides.