Help Me with a Teacher E-mail/ CAPD info

[Mishetta]

In response to Dancind's list of CAPD traits....those can also be traits of ADD/ADHD sufferers.

I would go to the school board regarding the incident of putting your daughter out in 25 degree weather. That issue really needs to be addressed in better format than the principal saying nothing!

I sure hope you are keeping a written account of all that has transpired recently. If not, I would recommend doing so, because things have a tendency of getting fuzzy as time goes on.

 

[Dancind]

I've written up everything that has happened so far in a memo. The classroom door opens to the outside, there's no hallway. Yes, she was outside, in a heavy sweatshirt. She said she was trying to get warm by pacing and jumping, but that she was shaking. She said when she got back into the warmth, she started to cry. Just try to keep a straight face when your kid tells you something like that. Diana

 

[karebear1]

Do you mind if I ask how long she was outside in the cold? I would advise her , that, if were to happen again- she go staright to the principal's office for protection from the weather.

 

[lindamg]

Well ok - I just have to ask.
Why is the fact that this is the Gifted Class even coming into play here? Just because a child is "Gifted" really doesn't give them the right to interrupt a classroom with unruly behavior.

No - "Gifted" students do not have any more right to interrupt a class than any other student. However the classification of "Gifted" is included in Special Education for a reason. Gifted students need teachers who are specially trained to deal with their unique characteristics and problems. These students often have a much more difficult time adjusting to and coping with school than the "regular" student. Just like their other Special Education counterparts, being "Gifted" often causes the student more problems, than their "Giftedness" gives them benefits. Most people who aren't trained in the educational, social and emotional problems facing gifted students see being "Gifted" as a ticket to straight A's. It's so much more complex than that. And I repeat what I said before - MANY Gifted students are LD, or ADD, or other. It is just often not diagnosed, or misdiagnosed, because the symptons are masked by (compensated for) the "giftedness".

 

[Dancind]

Karebear, I'm not sure. She says it was most of the class, but has no idea how long.

Linda, I do know gifted kids who seem very together and well adjusted. In fact, I think there's quite a few in this Science class! One of my DD's best friends is well liked, well spoken, outgoing, generally organized (well, she calls my ADD daughter for homework assignments a lot, too funny) and gifted. She's so nice to my daughter that I pretty much adore her. All of the others have quirks, ranging from minor to almost anti-social. It seems that the smarter they are, the more problems they have. And depression is very common. More than just giving these kids an appropriate education, gifted classes give them a chance to find a friend or two that "gets them", and maybe make it through their childhood. I told my DH that I really want DD to stay in this class. I think it's the first time since 3rd grade that she has felt that she can share her ideas and opinions without being ridiculed by her peers. Yes, the ridicule has happened in previous gifted classes too (last year's Lang/Lit!).

Have we gone off topic enough yet? Diana

 

[lindamg]

Have we gone off topic enough yet? Diana

LOL!!! I was thinking the same thing when I posted! I just get defensive when I hear some of the misconceptions about gifted kids.

And, you're so right - there are MANY perfectly lovely, well-adjusted gifted kids. (just not in my room this year!) We just have such a long way to go in identifying the kids who have problems, and expecting them NOT to have problems because they're gifted. You were so on target when you said the smarter they are, the more problems they have. Had a whole class on that topic last year! (Maybe that's my problem - a little knowledge is a dangerous thing! LOL)

Well, it's been an interesting discussion, at least!

Good luck to you and your daughter.

Linda

 

[KarenC]

My DS is ADHD and gifted. One thing about him is he knows exactly how to push buttons and due to his impulsivity, he will do it in school. I think if he had a teacher go nuts over what she considered profanity and he did not, he'd push the envelope just to get him or her mad. I'm not saying this is appropriate, its just how he is. He's the kind of kid who most teachers think is wonderful (his kindergarten teacher told me I should have more kids because they turn out so great) but certain teachers just can't stand. They don't "get" him and he doesn't "get" them.

It sounds to me like this situation is one of those personality mismatches that come along once in a while. Since your daughter only has this teacher for one class it becomes a life lesson that sometimes you have to follow the rules even if you don't agree with them. The punishment doesn't seem appropriate and I would focus on that, not so much what the punishment was for.