Son - Scores Very High on IQ, but Can't Concentrate at School

Hello D., i will like to tell you a little bit about it because i know a few moms that they had similar concerns and they gave NUTRILITE KIDS BRAINIUMS (OMEGA 3-Fish Oil)to their childrens, it is very good for concentration, learning and healthy mind,also the peditrician recommend it; because the human body does not produce Omega and we need it. Let me give you a web-site that you can find it or you may call me at any time to find some for you and more information too, if you wish. www.daraujo1.qhealthbeauty.com ###-###-####
Take care, be calm, he will be fine

Sounds like EVERYONE in my family! LOL! I personally didn't read or know which letter went with which sound until I was in 5th grade but was doing Pre-Algebra in 4th (my dad taught me at home). Have you looked into him being LD (Learning Disabled)? In some states/school districts LD is based on potential vs actual and in others it is based on where the average student is. I don't know which they use here.

Hi D.,

How are his grades? What's his behavior like? What does his teacher say? Does she have concerns? Have his old teachers ever said there were issues?

Your son sounds just like mine...except he hasn't been tested for gifted. He's really smart, yet he had a terrible year in 2nd grade (last year) and his very traditional teacher ("sit down, be quiet and do your work - period") asked if we'd ever had had him evaluated. Long story short; after seeing a child psycologist twice, we were told that he has ADHD and that "the only thing that could help him" was prescription medication. When I researched these drugs, I was not comfortable giving them to my 7 year old, so I started looking for alternatives. Since August, he has been on a low sugar diet with supplements of fish oil, magnesium, zinc and a focus product from the health food store that contains amino acids and lipids. He is doing so well in school this year! But he also has a different teacher who understands how to help keep active kids on task better; and he is far less bored in class. He is still very outgoing and dynamic - quite a chatterbox, as you said. He still isn't a great speller (nor am I), he doesn't focus on homework as well as I would like ... but he gets it done eventually, and his hand writing is inconsistant -- sometimes he just doesn't take the time to write neatly ... But his grades are good (all As and Bs) and his behavior is average. As far as I'm concerned, at this time, there is no reason to think about putting him on a medication with bad side effects. I'm not totally ruling it out for the future - if nothing else helps. We'll cross that bridge as we come to it.

When I think about how his old teacher and the psycologist made us believe that we had a little boy with really big issues, I get very angry. I believe that many little boys (and some girls) are naturally active and that a traditional school setting does not cater to their learning style. Is that a problem with our sons, or the system?!

The gifted program at school would probably be perfect for your son. Maybe you can work with the guidance counselor and his teacher to have him re-tested at some point? Be his advocate, do your research and go with your gut. You know your son better than anyone.

Good Luck and God Bless!
(Be sure to let us know what happened!)

Hi D.,
My son was tested for gifted at the end of first grade and also has problems focusing on school work. I am frustrated for you about the gifted qualification, b/c our test did not include a writing portion. The man at the time told me that he was gifted, but that he couldn't sit still during the testing, so that he was probably hyperactive as well. This didn't sit well with me and I have learned so many gifted kids shared this characteristic of poor concentration on school work. His gifted teacher explained to me that they are thinking about so many things and sometimes at a level we can't even comprehend. Boys also don't do well in traditional school settings. Our second grade teacher was very traditional, sit in your seat, be quiet, be still and learn this. He did terrible. In third grade, he had a teacher who understood boys and had experience teaching gifted children. Our 4th grade teacher has been great so far! I was able to attend a one day workshop about gifted children 2 years ago and cried with relief when they described my child! I also "googled" gifted kids and learning problems and here is one of the articles I saved.

http://www.gifted.uconn.edu/siegle/TAG/Digests/e479.html

Gifted kids (I mean those with higher than average iq's) like your son, learn differently. Gather as much information as you can and work with your son's teacher to find the best way to help him. (For our terrible second grade year, we resorted to old fashioned rewards for turning in homework and staying on task...i asked for a report every day from the teacher and then if he did well he filled up a sticker chart and earned a prize.) Anyway, didn't mean to ramble. I feel your pain!!

I went through the same thing with my son. Now he's in 6th grade, in advanced classes & doing amazingly! I think the fact that he's now going to a different class each hour has helped. When he was in elem school he'd sit in the same class all day....he was bored. He spent most of the day staring out the window or goofing off. I talked to his teachers & they started letting him "help" more to keep his attention. He'd take stuff to the office or help the teacher make copies....simple things. But it seemed to help. It broke up his day a bit so he wouldnt get bored. Elem school was a very stressful time but for us, as it must be for you, but there is a bright side. Good luck!

I hate to say this but he may never do good in reading and writing. I have seven brothers and all of them are very smart. But when it came to reading and writing they just weren't into it. One of them even was offered a job as a college professer but turned it down because he doesn't like to read. One of my brothers never showed interest in reading until he was having a child and wanted to be able to read and write good for her. Now he is a big boss in a company. I have been told by several people over the years that it is not uncommon for boys to not like reading and writing. Don't pressure him. Sit and read with him at night. Maybe you could get some fancy pens and paper for the writing part. But the more you pressure him the more he will rebel. The school wanted to put both of my girls in gifted but I would not let them. I knew to many children that were in gifted and hated it. If he doesn't want to be in gifted don't pressure him. My girls did just fantasic all through school and now are both on the Deans list in college.

How is his nutrition? NDD is sometimes the real cause. Does eat veggies and fish at all or rather any brain food. I know sometimes kids reject these kinds of food. Just a thought. good luck

I had some of the same problems w/my girls 7&8,more in my 7yr.old.I read an article about food additives and dyes in our food,I started feeding them organic,natural food even organic milk,and within a week I had different children,my one daughters hand writing was suddenly readable,she was focused.my girls acted like they ate a cake after a glass of milk even.they said once it is all out of their system and they go back and eat bad, or prosesed it can effect them for weeks,and I see it if I try to one night make a quick meal,it isn't worth it,I pay dearly.I just shop around the outside of the grocery store,all fresh.good luck!

He may be bored. Some children learn differently. Talk to the teacher they are your best friend with a child like this. Ask if there are times in the day when he is less chatty. Be patient and keep the communication open with the teacher, There may be a very simple solution that meets his personality to help him be a better student. He may be very gifted in some areas and not in another and they may frustrate him. Good Luck.

Although, my son has never been tested for IQ test I do not believe in them personally,he has been diagnosed with ADHD. He is the same way he does very well at school on his meds but otherwise cannot sit still or pay attention but for some reason put a video game in front of him and it holds his concentration perfectly. It sounds like he could have ADD or ADHD ask your peds they can talk to you about it and give you a sheet of signs to look for.

Good luck

you may want to have him evaluated by an OT for Sensory Processing Disorder....

Alright....a gifted child!! There are some interesting responses here and I hope you evaluate each carefully. First off, ADD/ADHD is used losely when trying to solve a problem. Please use that as a last resort. One reccomendation I can give is lessen the video games stimulation....a lot less. The reason is because it does not help reading comprehension, memory skills or literary concentration. The words on paper do not move like viedo games. Change the diet as well. More "brain food", fresh food is 100% better. Several of my students cannot tolerate fructose or white enriched wheat products. These tend to affect concentration.
Also, a tutor on a temporary basis will help. Perhaps your son needs the tools to understand and absorb reading and writing. Find someone who will teach him how to develop these skills and look at things differently. Many gifted children/people are misunderstood and all it takes is a different view.
Another activity which helps in reading, comprehension, memory development, increases self-esteem and discipline is music. Piano lessons on the side have done wonders for others in the past.
Good luck. I wish you all well.

hi my son went through the same thing and in 4th grade he was tested and also is gifted he is very smart but a class clown as the teachers call him because he was always talking but he made straight A's but i felt like something was wrong because when he had to concentrate he would get frustrated and something crazy was going on with his face (eyes) so we went to the doc. time after time. it took his teacher writing a letter and family research to find out he has TS TOURETTES SYNDROME, HE HAS TICS and its not bad enough to be on medicine, but now that we know how to handle it everything is great, my son understands and now he is 15 years old and doing great and still is very smart makes a's and b's in high school but still talks alot but the teachers find ways to put all that talking to good use. hope this helps you could look up TS online. S.

I would have him tested for ADD. My son is is ADHD he is a very smart kid! He has a hard time with writing also! It's due to his mind going faster than his hand can right! My son could also sit and play video games for hours or sit for hours doing something he really likes. I would suggest calling his DR and voicing your concern. Good luck! If you have any questions or need to talk I will do my best to help!

Diet and nutrition can play a bigger part in this than most realize :-) By removing alot of or all processed foods and foods with 'stuff' as ingredients such as colorings, lots of sugars, chemicals, preservatives, etc the body is focused on processing these and they don't muck up the normal functions. Look into a really really natural diet with the addition of some important vitamins and supplements such as Omega 3 fish olis and DHA. They are available at alot of natural health food stores and at the Dr. Sears website in liquid and chewables form in good flavors. Maybe check in with an appointment with a certified nutritionist (often chiropractors study alot of nutrition). These are easy ways to try to help his concentration and focus without having to turn to more chemicals and/or drugs...plus healthier eating can benefit in other ways too! Best Wishes!

I agree with Debbie. My son also has ADHD with an abovew avg IQ. He was diagnosed in 3rd grade but never got help until 8th grade because of a father that refused to believe. Once he got on the meds it was like a totally different world for him in school. He even told me mom I cant believe how much better I feel & thats all I needed. He is now 21 & does not take his meds anymore because he cant gain weight like he wants but hes really well adhusted so no worries. I strongly suggest you have the school test him & dont take no for an answer, its for his best interest especially in school in the future & for his self esteem. Good luck.

I love all the responses and it all seems like great advice....BUT....I have SUCH an enormously difficult time getting my son to eat anything except those crappy kids favorites. You know what I am talking about: pasta, chicken nuggets, pizza, etc. He was a GREAT eater...unitl he had his first chicken nugget! Then it all went downhill from there! I would do anything to get him to eat healthier foods, fresh veggies and fruits. And trust me he is just fine with starving himself to death! I am thinking of taking a trip to a third world country just to see what would happen! LOL!

I had some of the same experiences with my daughter. Many times, the inability to focus may be caused by Attention Deficit Disorder. Many times, it is just a phase. Your son sounds very smart. His thought processes are probably so intense, it is hard for him to organize them unless the thoughts are completely directed to a task that required high concentration in order to succeed (i.e. video games, important tests).

Don't be quick to diagnose him with ADD/ADHD yet though. Some kids just need to break through the phase. Try those squeeze balls, concentration games, and quiet study areas (before tests) equal less distraction for those that may have a harder time concentrating.

I hope this helps you:)

EINSTIEN HAD A LEARNING DISABILITY!

Talk to your doctor.

K. J.

D.,

I don't know if this would be of any help. My daughter is only 2, but I can speak from mine & my husband's experience.

He just may not be challanged enough. Reading & writing, (math for girls) is often a struggle. I would look into tutoring. If he is interested in something (e.g video games) he may be able to pay attention.

ADHD may be a factor but I would consider other things first (like diet that was suggested). How much exercise does his get? Maybe he just has some pent up energy.

Just some ideas.

D.,

Your description of your 8 year old sounds very much like ADHD. My son has it, and he is now 16. Boys with ADHD are usually very bright, and the term ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. However, the term "deficit" is poor. There is NO deficit in their attention for activities that hold their interest. The problem exists when they don't have any interest in the topic or subject. Most ADHD students HATE to write, but do well if they are given a computer or Alpha Smart system. I feel your pain because this is the type of child that you have to stay on top of 24/7--even if they are medicated. I have a few friends who deal with the same issues, and it is good to have a support system. Please have him tested. If you live in Hillsborough County, our pediatrician, Dr. Mark Borden, has been a Godsend in this arena. He has a terrific bedside manner, and works with the child to determine the best medication regimen. In school, you need to advocate for him. He would probably BE in the gifted program if he is also diagnosed with ADHD. I don't know if you send him to public or private school, but unless the private school caters to special needs you are better off with a public school, and make sure you ask about setting up an IEP or 504 plan for him. Talk to a school counselor so you can have an understanding of the services his school can provide, and what you can do to best advocate for him. Contrary to popular opinion, there are few misdiagnoses for ADHD. Children with ADHD calm down with stimulants (meds provided for ADHD include ritalin, concerta, straterra, etc), and children who are not ADHD will become more active.

Morning,

before i respond I was wondering which county your in. I'm a teacher and I am unaware of any written portion for a gifted test. My daughter tested into gifted in 3rd grade and she did not take a written portion. Also boys in general struggle more with writting and reading. I can get some web sites for you that might help. One of the keys I know however is letting him read what interest him rather than what is on his level.

My son is eight and in 3rd grade as well. He has always had a hard time concentrating on school. I always thought it was because he is homeschooled, but this has been going on for 3 years. He is extrememly intelligent but I have to sit next to him and constantly remind him to focus. I don't have a solution for you because again my son is homeschooled, but I wanted you to know that you are not alone.