I would probably seek the help of a professional experienced with gifted kids if my kid were making statements like that. And even though you said he feels manipulated by rewards systems, I would still check out the book Transforming the Difficult Child. I know people with similar issues who found it extremely helpful.

No clue if this might apply, but you might check out the book The Highly Sensitive Child and google Dabrowski's overexcitabilities and emotional intensity in gifted kids.

1. Mr. Knightley (Mr. Darcy but with social skills--and he can dance) 2. hmmmmm...see above 3. Jo or Anne Shirley or Elizabeth

There is no way to know it will be a good fit in advance. You may likely not know about abuse the children have experienced. For these reasons it is suggested to wait until your youngest bio kid is older and to maintain birth order. (i.e. not adopt any kids older than the kids already in the home)

I agree with this. At a minimum I would maintain birth order.

Not Thai (sorry, but I can't help myself anyway) but this one is phenomenal. My absolute favorite. Pleasures of the Vietnamese Table http://www.amazon.com/Pleasures-Vietnamese-Table-Reminiscences-Vietnams/dp/0060192585

This was very well said. The investment of your time this way I would guess would have a big impact.

Love the bolded books.

:iagree:

http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/05/22/travel/the-charms-of-vina-del-mar-along-chiles-coast.html?pagewanted=all Vina Del Mar or Santiago Chile. Edited to add: Full immersion would be great no matter the country--but I would also think about what accent you wanted them to pick up. I am partial to Chilean Spanish and think it is beautiful.

I am so very sorry for your family's loss and cannot imagine how heartbreaking it is. However, for the other posters questioning the actions of the drs. and nurses, unless you are a NICU nurse or neonatalogist the anecdotes you have heard about preemies doing so well were extremely unlikely to be 22 weekers. I have incompetent cervix and considered very carefully after tons of research and 2 NICU stays with my kids what to do if my baby had been born at different gestations. I would choose to give as much comfort as possible to a 22-weeker but would follow the course that the medical professionals in the OP's situation did. I would encourage the OP's relative when she is ready to research incompetent cervix and would strongly encourage her to get a cerclage with her next pregnancy.

We are currently obsessed with the pigeon books. (Don't let the pigeon drive the bus) And Knuffle Bunny. Everyone in my house loves them.

I remember in 7th grade trying to hide my standardized test scores because of messages like this...when my friend grabbed the paper out of my hand I made him promise not to tell anyone what they were. I absolutely DO NOT want my daughters to feel the need to hide their abilities. I have a kid with Down syndrome so I do feel like a get a pass sort of on "bragging"--(I don't think of it as bragging, but I suppose it could be perceived that way)--I know what it is like to have kids at both ends of the curve, and I share the challenges and joys of both. I also feel like a can "brag" more easily about dd5, because she was adopted, and since we don't share genetics I am not taking any credit for her intelligence! :001_smile: And, I just got over being afraid of "bragging" about her. Anyone who spends any time with her knows that her gifts come with challenges--and especially when she was younger and I thought I was insane or the worst mother in the world it was just impossible to talk about her intensity without bringing up the "g" word. Last year dd11 said something funny while reading Pride and Prejudice--I debated posting it on FB--but I have friends who I knew would get a kick out of it, who know her and love her, and I was too lazy to figure out who would laugh and who would be threatened/offended/etc. so I just posted it. It is who she is. I am proud of her (not because she is smart, but because of what she does with what she has been given) and I am not going to apologize for it. If you have a problem with that, defriend me on FB, ignore me, avoid me whatever. I have managed to find kindred spirits who are supportive. (Although--aside from family I only told 2 friends her Explore scores--friends whose dds are probably more gifted than dd who I felt could genuinely celebrate--the same two friends who are the only ones I told we were applying to DYS--hi girls if by any chance you are reading this!) It will be interesting to navigate as we are currently requesting a grade skip for dd11 and I am sure that will bring up many questions (and criticisms). Homeschooling is still on the table in the future, which is why I am here.

Isabel Allende.

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

I hope you will read about psychmotor OE--talking a lot is classic. It sounds like he has a very active brain and all of those thoughts need a way to come out. Please read about this stuff. Again, physical activity, challenging intellectual activity, etc. could likely make a really big difference. If they didn't do IQ testing I would ask for it. I think it could really explain a lot, and help you understand what is going on with him and how to mold and shape it. FWIW, the other kids like this who are older do supposedly settle down with the non-stop talking.

I just want to add, and not suggesting this is an issue for your daughter, but you might look into inattentive ADHD, and what it could like in a gifted girl and just keep your eyes open. I think I would be hesitant to medicate a young child, however, it is worth considering because there are executive function skills that can be explicitly taught and for me, I think that played a role in the "writer's block".

This was a huge issue for me, but one that I couldn't have articulated as well as you are here, and also one for my daughter. I think it is a wonderful gift to her that you have recognized it so early. One thing that has helped my daughter is all of the discussion we do about the authors she loves and the rejection and failures they faced before they became successful. Interested to see other replies.

This is all so true. I need to work on this myself.

OK I just went back and read the whole thread. First of all, :grouphug:. My 3rd is like this. It is exhausting and no one else understands who does not live with a kid like this. When she was 2 I thought, "so this what the H in ADHD looks like". I cannot encourage you strongly enough to read about Dabrowski's OEs--esp. the psychomotor one!--it was so incredibly eye-opening to me re: my kids, myself, my husband, extended family. I bet you will totally see your dh in it too. And as another poster suggested, check out the Hoagies gifted page. Again, I am really not opposed to medication if he really does have ADHD, but given the not insignificant side effects it makes sense to get someone who has the expertise to really discern what is going on with him. It is hard to tease out ADHD from giftedness (said as an adult diagnosed with ADHD), but it is worth taking the time to really try to understand. Gymnastics has really helped my dd, and we are planning to start violin soon. I have heard it has been very helpful for kids like this (gives their minds and hands something challenging to do, helps focus and attn.) and I believe it will be good for my dd. And remember, your kid is perfectly and wonderfully made. Some of them just try their mom's nerves more than others.

He could have ADHD and be gifted, but he could also be highly gifted and immature and not have ADHD--FWIW I am not opposed to medication, but I think you have to be sure that it really is ADHD. Read the Misdiagnosis of the Gifted child book before making a decision...see this blog post about it: ADHD, autism, and gifted If the tester/evaluator whoever you took him to isn't familiar with gifted kids you might need a second opinion. Also check out the SENG website articles. http://www.sengifted.org/archives/articles/misdiagnosis-and-dual-diagnosis-of-gifted-children

Didn't read all the replies. But you need to get the book Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children. Also Transforming the Difficult Child.

Awesome idea!

THe book Transforming the Difficult Child is great. and I agree with the signing. Signing Time DVDs were our favorites.

:iagree: