Gifted dd?

[MolotovCocktail]

I'm looking for advice, please, as I suspect that my dd1, who will turn 5yo this month, maybe gifted.

I've been advised by her school to have her see our GP because she keeps being sick at school. She is often sick if she smells a smell that is unpleasant to her or if she's over stimulated through play (the sickness often happens on the playground).

I don't know where to begin in order to find out if she is gifted. I'm wondering because the sickness thing is just the tip of the iceberg.

She has always seemed bright to us and we are complimented on how mature she seems; sensitive and caring. Her vocabulary is amazing and nursery teachers commented on this.

She is bothered by little things, such as the seams in her socks being the 'wrong' way against her toes. She can't stand labels rubbing against her skin. She is a fussy eater and this has a lot to do with the smell and/or texture of food.

She apologises to strangers when we're out if our younger dd2 has a tantrum. She can't understand why her sister hasn't got manners yet

She has been moved to tears by some pieces of music we've played. She is very empathetic. She seems to have an "old head' on her shoulders.

Any advice as to whether these sound like the traits of a gifted child would be appreciated, as well as any advice as to how to get the ball rolling.

TIA

[TantrumsAndBalloons]

WHen you say get the ball rolling, what do you mean?
what do you want to happen?

[KatoPotato]

Other than her vocabulary, what traits would you see as being gifted? What you've described sounds more like sensory issues?

[givemeaclue]

The sickness is unusual, what does doctor say?
The fussing about sock seams, eating and labels are very common.
Can't comment re whether she is gifted as apart from the sickness she seems bright but normal?

[Wingdingdong]

Sounds as though she has sensory issues. My DD (5 in summer) has similar issues with taste, smell, touch/texture etc. She hated having dirty hands as a toddler, didn't like using her hands to touch food, and so on. She also had very severe reflux, which is thought to have contributed to it - and very sensitive skin (dermagraphism) so any kind of pressure brings here out in hives at the contact point). DD is also very empathetic.

However, this is (AFAIK) separate from any kind of academic ability. You can have sensory issues and be gifted, sensory issues and developmentally behind, sensory issues and bang on average.

Schools wouldn't normally enter into discussions about G&T so early on, but nothing you've said would necessarily mark your DD out as academically gifted at the moment. Not to say she's not, just that it's a different issue. Google sensory processing and see if it rings any bells! Good luck.

[MolotovCocktail]

Thanks for your comments

I don't really know what I expect/want to happen. All I know is that I would want to support her if there was something she needed support with.

I shall book in with our GP and try to get some help with this sickness thing and google what you have suggested so far.

Academically, I think she's above average at the moment in most areas. So I suppose it's more the emotional/tactile (and smell) areas I would need greater clarity with.

May I ask what 'reactive' is, in greater detail, please?

[MolotovCocktail]

*Above average but not significantly above average. She does what she's asked to do and does it very well, iyswim. Doesn't do it on a par with an 8yo, kind of thing.

[NakedTigarCub]

Im sorry but I dont think your dd id gifted.

I did everything you talked about as a child. At 7yo I told the headmaster I would not eat meat as I was a vegaterian. He had to call my mum as he didnt believe I know what I was saying and that it was true! I have dyslexia. I have a degree and adove avage IQ and a two year ahead reading age but im not and never was gifted.

I am just more intune with my body and feeling than others. Its a sensory issues but not one that has caused any problems except driving my mum mad about clothes, socks and bras are the worst.

See your gp and help with the sickness issue, mine was cream or slime I still gip even now!

Good luck xx

[Lonecatwithkitten]

The sickness have you asked her how she feel before the sickness? I ask as my DD suffers from migraines and a loud noise or something similar can cause her to projectile vomit when she has an 'aura'.
She is also gifted, but that is unrelated to her migraines.
Again unrelated doesn't like the feel of clothes on her skin and under the age of 6 spent a large proportion of her time at home naked because of this. She is now 10 would tell you she has learnt to cope with the feel of clothes on her skin.

[cory]

There are two separate issues here:

giftedness- which is best defined as academic or other potential

and

sensory issues/sensitivy

These things are often found together but that doesn't mean they have to go together or that one is a sign of the other.

I have known incredibly gifted academics who have had the skin of rhinos and been totally oblivious of physical issues. And I've also known people with pronounced sensory issues who have, quite frankly, not been the brightest. But often these traits do seem to come together in the same person.

I would treat them, for now, as two separate issues. Your dd doesn't need to be gifted to require help with her sensory issues: they are something that impacts on her daily life and are for discussing with the GP rather than the teacher iyswim.

Otoh if she is gifted, the help she needs with that is intellectual stimulation, which is something the GP can't provide- but you and the school can.

Signs of giftedness would be working at a higher level than anyone else in the class, teaching herself skills that lie outside what the school provides, engaging in arguments that seem way beyond her age, questioning the world around her in a way that seems older than her years.

[theendgame]

They may or may not be linked as people have said, but it might be worth you googling Dabrowskis Overexcitabilities and see if that resonates with what's going on for your DD.