ADHD and Gifted

I haven’t been too impressed with any gifted program I’ve seen out there. Most are “pull-out” programs where a group of children are pulled out of their various classrooms and given enrichment for an hour to two hours a week.

That’s the bad news, I suppose. The good news would be that gifted children are their own school. They usually absorb information like sponges from the world around them. Whatever you would do with them, going to museums, watching films, taking hikes, playing in a stream, building models, would be all they need to learn and learn well, ADHD or not.

Your post isn’t clear as to what you mean by “doing ok” in school. Well-being in school usually is either getting good grades and/or being happy in the school experience. Gfited/ADHD kids can present special challenges in school and I’ve taught a few. If the school isn’t going to do much, here’s something you might be able to do. To my observation some teachers definitely work better than others with the interesting challenges gifted/ADHD kids can present. Keep an eye out for those teachers and keep your ear to the ground. Even go visit the classrooms of the third grade teachers. Your mother’s heart will know which of those teachers would be best for your son.

At the end of the year, request that teachers for your older son. Explain that given his unusual profile you believe Mrs. Smith’s classroom would be the best for him. Mrs. Smith does the interesting projects… and the structure of her classroom would work best for him. And as your younger son goes through, pleasantly make sure the school knows how well Mrs. Smith worked with your older son and since she already knows how to work with this profile certainly you would look forward to your younger son being placed in her classroom as well.

If the school does nothing else, they might be willing to do that.

Gifted kids can really get bored with classes that don’t seem to be keeping up with them. ADHD kids … well, you know! The thing to focus on is to keep them challenged, which can help them focus.

One thing that may work, is to give them auxiliary assignments based on what they’re already doing in school. If they study volcanos in science, you can have them do some in-depth reading or a science project at home. It doesn’t have to be anything expensive — some library books can get you started and help so you don’t have to be learning everything he does.

Also, see if you can get your chilren some gifted friends. They may challenge each other in ways that you can’t. While the school can’t give this out, kids can usually self-identify other gifted kids if they don’t already know each other from their pull-outs.

Music lessons, while not strictly an academic thing, can also provide another dimension of challenge and interest. You could start with something inexpensive — a recorder or a guitar — to see if it takes off or not.

Jean,
I have some ideas of things you can try at the end of my email. You never can start being your childs advocate too early. It’s easiest to have a plan made that you don’t have to use rather than to try and repair damage.

I wanted to give you some background information because you are not alone.

I have a daughter that is 9 1/2 years old (forth grade) and is also ADHD, gifted and has Dysgraphia (a writing disorder). I know exactly how you feel. I have been struggling with the school since she was in second grade. She is very bright with a high IQ but because of the ADHD she is unable to complete the work in the classroom like her fellow classmates. I had to become my child’s advocate with the school because they just wanted me to medicate her and make her like the rest of the class. I communicate daily (in person or in writing) with her Teacher, Counselor and Support Staff. I am still struggling with making them understand that if she is unable to finish her work in school while she is on medication the chance of her finishing it as homework when the medication has worn off is not likely. I have tried over and over to explain that the medications to treat ADD and ADHD are stimulant, not sedatives. The school keeps telling me why I don’t just give her medication so she can do her homework and I have tried to explain that if I do that she will be up all night. Her teacher can not understand why at home it takes her two hours to complete five Math problems.
Now for some helpful sutestions:
1. Document everything in WRITING or by recorder(conversations, meetings, letters) You may need this information to receive services someday.
2. Be agressive !!
Make an appointment with your childs Teacher, Counselor and the person who coordinates in “Special sevices” at the school (at my daughters school it’s the Vice Principle). Bring a list in writing of problems your child has/had in school. Also, bring a list of solutions that you have found worked in the past (if you would like to see what my list looked just email me).
type of service she received was an SSS Plan (Student Support System). This was a written plan created by a commitee with the parent as a member of the commitee. An individual plan is developed which list modifications to be made in the classroom.
3. If you aren’t able to have modifications made, like I initially did, then you should consider having them tested for “Special Education” because of their “Learning Disability”. I want to reassure you that this doesn’t mean they are labled and taken out of the regular classroom. Almost all children identified as a “Special Education student” are mainstreamed (in the regular classroom with modifications). Talk to your Doctor, they can probually be placed under OHI (other health impaired).

Having them identified as “Special Ed students” helps a lot. A committee (you are part of the commitee) developes an IEP (Individual Education Plan) to be used to educate your child in the regular classroom. This is a legally binding contract the school must follow. My daughter doesn’t even know she is categorized as “Special Ed”.

When the plan is developed if you don’t agree with anything make sure you SIGN: I DISAGREE !!!!

Here is the best and most difficult thing you can do for your children, find time to treat yourself to a break from your kids for something special. I know it sounds impossible (I’m a single Mother) but, it is vital. I treat myself to having my nails done every two weeks. Check with friends, family members, and churches for Mothers Day out programs. Many Childrens hospitals have programs designed for ADHD parents to give them time off. The hospital I use even has a day camp in the summer for ADHD kids.
I hope this helps. I would love to hear from you to see how your doing or just to exchange ideas.
Sincerely,
Sherri

To others with gifted children,
Actually, my son has not been labeled as “Gifted” by the schools system, but I am frustrated here. His I.Q. is of 128 but his hyperactivity has been so predominant since 1st grade, teachers became frustrated. I had a difficult time
convincing my husband of these facts…..to some men their children are clearly ‘perfect, not different in any way’, anyway, I know I have a child with high intelligence whom is frustrated by initially being asked to fit into a mold.I do not know where to go from here! Big sis is honor roll , charming., beautiful
etc. etc. He-(ADHD,128 I.Q.) receives little recognition! In the past several years, I have read & heard similar stories…………..but I really want to make this child realize he is so beautiful and highly inteligent. Clearly, I get frustrated.
I have little hope of hearing anything from this web site…………so I am going to bed. Thanks for listening. JULIE

I think that there was an article about parents / siblings on the front page a month ago that said that oldest girl siblings of LD children likely suffer from “perfect child” syndrome. Please make sure she’s not overlooked or only focused on for her achievements — she is just a child, too.

Have you thought about something like karate for your son? It has a way of teaching productive ways of getting out anger and energy, gives boys a good male role model, and helps with self-discipline. It may also be something that your daughter doesn’t do, which may give him something of his own to succeed in.