Gifted Child

[daffy654]

I have just got back from parent's evening at my 10 year old son's school and am in a bit of shock. He has been placed on the Able,Gifted and Talented register. He has a reading age of 15.2 years and a spelling age of 16 years. My son has aspergers syndrome that was diagnosed a few years ago.
Can anyone tell me what being on the register will mean to him in real terms,whether there are benefits or drawbacks for him? He goes to high school next school year and I want to know how this will affect him once there as well.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Bloss]

I am pleased your son's gifts have been recognised. It is not unusual for children with aspergers to have talents in very specific areas. (I like to think of them as compensation for the things they find difficult.)
I have to say my experience of secondary schools is quite broad and so is their response to talented children. There is understandably an emphasis on helping children with specific difficulties which thwart their progress, but a good school will also acknowledge and support the gifted.
Firtsly, you need to confirm with his primary school that they are going to clearly communicate the detail of his gifts and emphasise their findings to his next school. It may also be an idea to ask them if they know how good that school is at stretching more able children.
Secondly, if the first parents' evening is not for some time in the secondary school, request a meeting to discuss your son's special needs - regarding his talents and his aspergers syndrome. The key to a successful relationship with his secondary school is good, open lines of communication.
(To be honest, I am surprised you have only just found out about your son's talents. Were these not evident last year?)
As far as the register is concerned, it is a formailsation of his talents. It should mean that the school look specifically at his learning needs and create an individual approach/plan which considers his gifts. Ultimately, they should make sure they stretch and challenge your son; Making the most of his skills, whilst ensuring work in reading and spelling is geared to keeping him interested and inspired.
Sorry about the rambling.. Hope this helps!

[daffy654]

Hi Bloss,thanks for your reply.
We have been aware of our son's abilities in certain subjects for some time now but it has never been mentioned that he is gifted before.I never even knew there was a register to list such things. His teacher has said that it is very unusual for any one child to be gifted in every subject they teach at primary level.She also said that they have never had a child in their school who has an SEN as well as being on the register.
I am worried that being intelligent will single him out for bullying at high school,I was already concerned that his Aspergers Syndrome would be a problem but with this added it increases the possibility of it. My fiance thinks we should consider teaching him at home but I am against this as he will never learn the social skills he already lacks if he is never around other children.
Neither his father or I have any real further education,we are both fairly intelligent but I only completed high school with one O'level and 6 CSE's,his dad is very similar but with two A'levels as well.
I think i'm going to have to go off and do lots of internet research on this and hopefully get the information I need to support my son.
Thanks for your input Bloss.

[Sasha13]

daffy...

Just to answer your point on being concerned about bullying - I was one of the brighest kids in my class (This isn't bragging, but I got the highest GCSE results out of my year).

I did come in for some stick about it, but really it wasn't bad - and it often came in handy. For example in my maths class the teacher used to ask the class a maths question and the person who got it right, their row got to go home first. I always won so the people in my row loved me.

It's swings and roundabouts - kids are kids and will tease - don't think of not sending him to mainstream school because of this.

P.S. there was no talent register when I was at school so I'm glad something is being done to acknowledge the bright kids as well as the ones who struggle a bit.

[confused79]

My son was put on the difted and talented register about 8 months ago and he is only 8, he has a gift for numeracy, not much has happened for him as yet, he is such a wiz at maths, better than me.

Schools do do special meetings for parents of the gifted and talented and advise you about how to encourage your child etc., and they do have special days for those on the register.

Bet you are so proud of him, especially with his aspergers, just proves having a disability does not get in his way.

[confused79]

that was mean to say gifted ! you probaly worked that out for yourself! my son dosn't take after me! lol

[daffy654]

Thanks for the words of encouragement everyone.
Zacsmaster,I will be having a meeting very soon with the school about my son as his review is due for his SEN so I will bring up all my concerns then,the representative of the LEA will be there as this is his last review before high school.
Sasha,i'm glad you coped well with your abilities and that it had some benefit for others in your class :-)
Confused,congrats on having a gifted child(they do make you feel really dumb sometimes don't they?lol). My son has been placed on the register for maths,reading,writing,spelling and science.We always knew his reading and spelling were good for his age but were shocked to find that he is far ahead of his peers in all subjects. This coupled with his Aspergers does make him stand out from the crowd more than most and that is what concerns me. His father and I have always worked very closely with the mainstream school he attends now and the special school he went to when he first entered education at age 4(he couldn't even speak then and was still in nappies),this will continue no matter what school he goes to for high school.Good luck to you and your son.

[meltoadhall]

my eldest is a g and t and is 12 but is in year 9, this is a good site which has a forum to get info

http://www.parentscentre.gov.uk/

also

http://www.nagcbritain.org.uk/index.php

which is for gifted children.
all schools must have a gifted and talented policy and co-ordinator ask to talk to them and see the provision the secondary school will have.

[daffy654]

Thanks meltoadhall,I have already been on the second site you listed and am planning to become a member when pay day comes around. I will have a good look around the first site too. My son's class teacher is actually the Able,Gifted and Talented Leader at his current school so he is in good hands at the moment,I will have to find out whose job this is at high school once I know he has definitely got a place at the first choice we have applied to.

[EngTeach]

I have taught 2 children who have been diagnosed with Aspergers and they have done well. My school is small, about 500 students, and the children do rally round when a mate is having social difficulties. These 2 boys also had some accelerated courses as they were advanced in some subjects.

As suggested, keep in contact with the school and the teachers. We often are not aware of special circumstances until rhe first parental meeting, which can sometimes be a number of weeks into the term.

Hope your son has a good year.

[Ice-Maiden]

How brilliant Daffy! The best of luck to your son.