Well, it doesn't happen too often but there evidently is an actual genius in the family. My nephew Payden in TN.
His Mom Crystal whom I adore, (and who will gag at such a compliment, lol) has had some "issues" with him since birth. Inability to deal with high pressure social situations, loud noises, etc. (a bit like Asberger's symptoms) emotional breakdowns, the need to do everything perfectly, etc...a HIGHLY strung kid.
He could also read from...hmmm, correct me if I am wrong Crys (if you can ever figure out how to leave a comment, genius Mom) at around two I guess.
Ok, so he can read early. But now at five he is reading adult college level textbooks etc. and blowing everyone away.
But there are still the issues...so she is getting tired of everyone being impressed by his reading and ignoring some of the other issues and subsequently takes him on the rounds of Dr. appts.
This last one, the neurologist, gives him the EEG and spends 45 minutes diagnostically testing him.
"A genius", says he. He apparently has the other things going on because he is processing information at this unbelievable speed but is still just FIVE and cannot handle it. Sort of like "brain overload" I imagine.
She told him, "But it has been happening since birth!"
And he told her, "Yes, but remember geniuses are born not created. (Lightbulb moment)
Can you imagine wanting to write perfectly because your brain knows exactly what it should like but your motor skills are at age level five? I'd be frustrated too!
Since he was a BABY she can remember some weird things happening... So at the appt. he goes up to a medical chart and picks up a pointer and starts pointing to and reading: "The milligram equivalent to the blah blah blah", you get the picture.
Dr says, STRAIGHT to medical school for this one, straight to medical school. Payden does not do well emotionally in high stress situation like (you would assume) a Dr's office but for some reason at the Dr's offices he is amazingly calm and "on" as if (my words) he was in his element. He likes the way the Dr talks to him and can converse with him easily and of course like a 30 year old...
He is a brand new Kidnergartener at (everyone gasp) PUBLIC school so you can imagine what is happening to him there. Any breakdown he has or strange question or confusion and they want to label him right off. Crystal TRIES to explain how to handle him and I TRY to explain to her that they will nod and nod in agreement until you walk out the door when they will then do what they will with him. So after a few episodes they broach the subject of "special ed" and if you knew my SIL, you would know that was NOT the right thing to say to HER. Lol
She repeats this to the neurologist still wanting more information, assurance, whatever and he says, Yes, yes, Payden should go directly into the gifted program.
"No", she says, "not the gifted program, SPECIAL ED."
He freaks and says, "This child? THIS child? This child in special ed? You tell that teacher that if she practices really, really hard, one day she may be able to keep up with Payden."
All tests for anything were negative except for the short diagnostic test of intellect which the Dr. said Payden was so high he could not be charted. That he most likely was a genius!
Now as "wonderful" as this is, it does present a whole other set of problems for Payden and his family. What to do about education? And the public school who cannot keep up with him. They cannot even get their computers to allow a "Kidnergartener" to attend an accelerated reading program so they actually won't let him attend. Special ed. Hmph! Who's the one that apparently needs special ed? Interesting that a public school with many teachers interacting with the same children cannot pick out a child with an absurdly high intellect.
Though it does open up a whole new world of things to figure out, I am reminded that God gave THEM this child. Which means THEY are the ones who can handle it and deal with it the best way. I cannot wait until the day the find the RIGHT place for Payden, where he strolls in, relaxed and happy, challenged and at ease because he is around others like himself.
When the Dr is leaving he says to Payden, I have enjoyed spending time with you Payden, to which Payden replies, "I like you too".
What a great kid.
His Mom Crystal whom I adore, (and who will gag at such a compliment, lol) has had some "issues" with him since birth. Inability to deal with high pressure social situations, loud noises, etc. (a bit like Asberger's symptoms) emotional breakdowns, the need to do everything perfectly, etc...a HIGHLY strung kid.
He could also read from...hmmm, correct me if I am wrong Crys (if you can ever figure out how to leave a comment, genius Mom) at around two I guess.
Ok, so he can read early. But now at five he is reading adult college level textbooks etc. and blowing everyone away.
But there are still the issues...so she is getting tired of everyone being impressed by his reading and ignoring some of the other issues and subsequently takes him on the rounds of Dr. appts.
This last one, the neurologist, gives him the EEG and spends 45 minutes diagnostically testing him.
"A genius", says he. He apparently has the other things going on because he is processing information at this unbelievable speed but is still just FIVE and cannot handle it. Sort of like "brain overload" I imagine.
She told him, "But it has been happening since birth!"
And he told her, "Yes, but remember geniuses are born not created. (Lightbulb moment)
Can you imagine wanting to write perfectly because your brain knows exactly what it should like but your motor skills are at age level five? I'd be frustrated too!
Since he was a BABY she can remember some weird things happening... So at the appt. he goes up to a medical chart and picks up a pointer and starts pointing to and reading: "The milligram equivalent to the blah blah blah", you get the picture.
Dr says, STRAIGHT to medical school for this one, straight to medical school. Payden does not do well emotionally in high stress situation like (you would assume) a Dr's office but for some reason at the Dr's offices he is amazingly calm and "on" as if (my words) he was in his element. He likes the way the Dr talks to him and can converse with him easily and of course like a 30 year old...
He is a brand new Kidnergartener at (everyone gasp) PUBLIC school so you can imagine what is happening to him there. Any breakdown he has or strange question or confusion and they want to label him right off. Crystal TRIES to explain how to handle him and I TRY to explain to her that they will nod and nod in agreement until you walk out the door when they will then do what they will with him. So after a few episodes they broach the subject of "special ed" and if you knew my SIL, you would know that was NOT the right thing to say to HER. Lol
She repeats this to the neurologist still wanting more information, assurance, whatever and he says, Yes, yes, Payden should go directly into the gifted program.
"No", she says, "not the gifted program, SPECIAL ED."
He freaks and says, "This child? THIS child? This child in special ed? You tell that teacher that if she practices really, really hard, one day she may be able to keep up with Payden."
All tests for anything were negative except for the short diagnostic test of intellect which the Dr. said Payden was so high he could not be charted. That he most likely was a genius!
Now as "wonderful" as this is, it does present a whole other set of problems for Payden and his family. What to do about education? And the public school who cannot keep up with him. They cannot even get their computers to allow a "Kidnergartener" to attend an accelerated reading program so they actually won't let him attend. Special ed. Hmph! Who's the one that apparently needs special ed? Interesting that a public school with many teachers interacting with the same children cannot pick out a child with an absurdly high intellect.
Though it does open up a whole new world of things to figure out, I am reminded that God gave THEM this child. Which means THEY are the ones who can handle it and deal with it the best way. I cannot wait until the day the find the RIGHT place for Payden, where he strolls in, relaxed and happy, challenged and at ease because he is around others like himself.
When the Dr is leaving he says to Payden, I have enjoyed spending time with you Payden, to which Payden replies, "I like you too".
What a great kid.
1 comment:
I loved your journal entry. My twin cousins weren't geniuses, but they were very gifted. Their IQ's were way up there. Don't ask me how high, cause this old mush brain can't remember. LOL!
They went to public school. When the bell rung at 3p, they would be bused to a "special" school for gifted children. This went on through high school. My oldest cousin had trouble "relating" with people. My other cousin didn't. Once they got done with high school they were "burned out". They wanted nothing to do with attending a University. Even though the University of Miami offered both of them a full ride scholarship.
When my Still Waters' was younger, I thought she had a learning disability. So I took her to get tested. Turns out she was gifted. She had a high IQ. Her scores at the age of 4 were those of a high schooler. By the time she was in 6th, she tested at a post high school level. It was a challenge and a blessing to be able to homeschool her. She was really able to "take off" and learn freely. I love to hear her talk. God has blessed her with wisdom and knowledge. It has not been an easy journey. She has OCD. She realizes it and has made incredible progress. God is good... ALL the time.
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