Teacher describing child as "quirky"

[Crunchymum]

Interested to hear what people (and teachers who are of course people ) think?

Is it a complimentary?

Very positive overall report of rather chatty and headstrong reception child.

What do we reckon about the word quirky?

As a parent and a primary teacher, I consider quirky to be positive. It might be used instead of unconventional, has unusual interests, knows their own mind etc.

It was said verbally.

I think annoying is much more likely than autistic .

• I know autism is a huge spectrum but this DC really doesn't tick any if the boxes.

Teachers used to say a child 'marches to the beat of a different drummer'.

As in they don't necessarily respond to tasks in a textbook way and they make things more interesting. Or they're a bit of a non-conformist in some way.

My DS is quirky but because I know that, I know what others mean when they describe him as that (he has ASD but I wouldn't necessarily assume that quirky=ASD traits).

If you're not sure what they're getting at, I'd ask them to clarify what they mean in case it's something you haven't seen at home.

I think the "quirky"/ ASD link is that neurodiverse children do think in different directions to usual, but neurotypical children can as well. So neuro-diverse often will be quirky (not just ASD) but neurotypical can be too.

Aww. I think being quirky is a very good thing. What's life without whimsy?

I would have used quirky as a positive. I don’t think I use it in reports, but have at parents evenings when you can expand on what it actually means. I meant the children were interesting, had their own ideas and didn’t follow the rest of the class.

I think I'd look a bit over zealous if I went back and asked teacher what she meant (was said weeks ago) and was most likely just an off the cuff remark - everything else was very positive.

I guess its just my own connotations to the word quirky. I don't particular see it as complimentary but I dont see it as negative either.

Quirky can be awesome. I would like to be quirky, rather than mainstream.

But yes. Frequent code word for autism.

I've a 12 year old suspected ASD, looked round a private secondary and I was speaking to Head (just before her retirement) and I said he was very bright but suspected ASD. She replied that they have lots of children like him and on their reports the primary private Headteacher always writes quirky and around there it's a private school Head code word to tip each other off. She says it's not a bad word and implied I it meant the eccentric professor type child.

I would just take it to mean a child who does things differently from others. I would take it as a compliment though may mean she's a bit of a challenge at times but an interesting character.

code word for autism

Not meant to be bold

I'd use at secondary as a compliment. It means they don't follow the crowd and are happy in their own ideas. Sometimes I might say they have a quirky habit if they do.

Quite often I use it for students who don't follow the "in" crowd regarding clothes, hair, make up etc. Always a positive though.

I would describe Ds2 as quirky, he is now 13 and definitely not on the autistic spectrum.

I think it describes a child who is comfortable liking what they like, doesn't try to fit in with others for the sake of it and doesn't like typical mainstream stuff.

I was worried when he stared secondary that he would struggle to find a friendship group as he went to a school knowing no-one. I needn't have worried. He found his niche group and he is incredibly happy. He is very into STEM stuff, nerdy and highly academic.

Is this a UK school? I am yet to learn all this myself but have been told that British school reports are very passive aggressive, and instead of dealing with issues straight they beat around the bush with such stupid phrases. Honestly, I wish I could have a dictionary for British Passive Aggressive language as finding it very difficult to navigate.
In any case, I wouldn't take notice of it. If there is an issue then the teacher needs to deal with it directly. If there isn't, then what is the point in the whole name calling? Just enjoy the positive part of the report and be proud your child is happy.

My child is always referred to as quirky. One teacher wrote in a report that she was on a completely different planet but it seemed a very happy place. She said it was definitely a compliment.

I think it is very often used as a positive description of mild autism traits. My DD is 12 and very mildly autistic (I know some people hate the term mild but she doesn't have a lot of struggles currently). She was always described as quirky before diagnosis. She is very social, chatty etc as are all her autistic friends that are girls. Please don't rule out potential autism because she is doing well in school and social and nothing like her brother. I initially thought there was no way my daughter could be autistic because she is nothing like my typical aspie brother, but I eventually learnt that it takes many forms and is very often much different in girls, and that I am autistic too!

I have had that said about my son and it is true. It was said with affection and meant well.. He is quirky.. He is himself and he is fab

Quirky is good, at least they are not boring.

I’d sooner have a quirky kid than a boring one - and I did!!

Sorry, just realised it wasn't your dc that has an autistic sibling but another poster.

Slightly eccentric in their manner.

Has a personality.
Autism! (not exclusive to)

I have 2 quirky autistic girls!

Quirky is good. Doesn’t mean there is an issue, probs more that your child is interesting. It’s better than being dull.

DC3 has a condition and autism is co-morbid. She shows many traits already, and will be automatically under SENCO and will need an EHCP (if she is able to attend mainstream at all)

Quirky DC has absolutely nothing noteworthy in that respect (other than being described as quirky by a teacher )

My youngest is described as Quirky, it's absolutely not a bad thing- I, however, was described as 'downright odd and possibly stupid' on one primary report. But then I did write back to front on purpose, had the affrontage to be left handed, was just happy being me and did things like climb into my duvet cover to see what it felt like to be an after eight.

Sorry sounds like I'm in denial but I can assure you I'm not. I've done lots of research since DC3 recieved her diagnosis etc.

I imagine we would all sit on the spectrum if we really pinned down certain traits, but I have no concerns about quirky child as being autistic!