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AIBU?

to be suprised there is a "gifted and talented" board here

118 replies

fromparistoberlin · 23/01/2014 12:02

sorry its really made me giggle

but seriously!? is this a major worry for people?

OP posts:

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appletarts · 23/01/2014 19:51

YANBU fromparistoberlin to wonder why it's a problem for some people. Gifted and talented is not classed as a SN in the same way as other additional learning needs. But yes run for the hills because the people on aibu at the moment are a bit, how shall we word it? Precious.

lljkk · 24/01/2014 19:01

I am sorry I snapped at you OP. but you can see it's an emotive topic.

superstarheartbreaker · 24/01/2014 19:05

Let's celebrate gifted and talented types shAll we?

fromparistoberlin · 25/01/2014 20:55

thats OK lljk

I like it when we can all resolve sans name calling

OP posts:

wobblyweebles · 25/01/2014 23:03

I hadn't realised there is a G&T board here so am going to have a look at it.

They take the top 5% here and put them in what's called the Talents program. Not sure if it's nationwide or just our state.

Catsize · 25/01/2014 23:17

Not sure how this will come across, but I was G&T. Probably. But it was 1983 when I went to school a year early (Mum couldn't deal with me at home and GP recommended I go early as I 'needed stimulation' etc.), and this was not recognised as a special need.
Moved schools a year or two later, was put 'down' a class (to my true year group), as the school did not believe in having children ahead of their year group. This was a small village school. So, I felt like I was amongst much younger children, and was not told why.
All through primary, I set myself challenges and invented lessons and homework for myself in the school holidays. Net result? A kid who stood out, who the teachers didn't bother teaching as she could do it already (I just thought they ignored me as they didn't like me) and a kid who was bullied for being different.
I do not like the G&T label, for a variety of reasons, but can agree that there are 'issues' for parents and teachers of children who are deemed such.

Jinsei · 26/01/2014 00:03

Most parents with very intelligent children are the opposite of 'boasty'. They avoid discussing their child's progress for fear of looking boasty or being met with genuine disbelief.

^^This.

The ones who boast, IME, tend to have children who are bright but not exceptional.

If you have a child who is truly gifted, you will probably be so eager for your child to be perceived as "normal" that you tend to downplay their abilities. I don't think many parents would want to draw attention to them.

LadyBeagleEyes · 26/01/2014 00:07

No Gifted and talented in Scotland, I'd never heard of it till I joined Mumsnet.
Doesn't seem to have damaged our education system in any way.

Jinsei · 26/01/2014 00:17

No Gifted and talented in Scotland, I'd never heard of it till I joined Mumsnet. Doesn't seem to have damaged our education system in any way.

Maybe not, but I don't think Scottish schools necessarily cater that well for bright children. Certainly, my DNephew's needs have not been met, whereas my dd in England has had differentiated work and targets from the start. I realise that this may be partly due to a difference between individual schools.

Trubloff · 26/01/2014 00:45

I've never posted on the G&T board but when I was 8, back in the mid 1970s I was identified as 'gifted'. It was purely based on my reading ability, which was supposedly that of a 14 year old. I was put up into the top groups for all subjects which was a mistake. Reading and English comprehension I was brilliant at. Maths and science subjects not so much. I seriously struggled in those classes but was still put in the top groups when we moved up to middle and high schools. It was pressure I did not need and I only got my maths O Level by going to extra lessons at lunch time.

My reading ability has improved year on year. I can read a book from start to finish in an evening. But don't ever ask me to do any mental arithmetic. And I've only ever been asked to score at darts once..... I work as a finance professional but am never expected to perform calculations on the spot. I have to read, analyse and evaluate stuff. Perfect for me!

G&T seems like a great initiative but it has to take account of all the DCs needs and not leave them struggling and miserable in other areas. I think that very few DC are gifted and talented in everything that they are expected to do.

Dawndonnaagain · 26/01/2014 10:54

I too have tended not to discuss things out of school. I have three with ASDs they are all G&T. They struggle in many, many other ways. Ds2 is at uni now. He is getting consistent firsts in his first year. He has phoned from inside his trunk, under his covers, in the drawers under the bed and has to be guided out. Now the uni have dealt with the bullying and moved him, that is less frequent. However, we still have guide him through eating a meal most nights. Send texts daily reminding him to eat and drink. I have had what seems like a million texts a night at the time (one night was 164, I counted) but he gets firsts. So yes fromparis there is a need and I'm chuffed to pieces that you could see it, that makes it easier if you ever come across my children.

TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 26/01/2014 11:39

A nice post on the g&t board.

That's board, not bored as I put earlier

Picturesinthefirelight · 26/01/2014 11:57

Oddly enough at parents vening at DDS new school (a school solely for talented children) her form tutor asked us if wed considered she may be on the spectrum.

It would explain such a lot socially.

We know ds has aspergers but whereas his obsessions are a huge problem at school etc in dd it was always glossed over in a oh well she's talented & focused and dedicated sort of way.

Dawndonnaagain · 26/01/2014 13:46

Pictures AS and HFA notoriously under diagnosed in girls, may well be worth checking out, I have a ds and two dds with AS.

Picturesinthefirelight · 26/01/2014 14:04

her school don't think there is a need for a diagnosis as apart from a few social foibles and quirks its not causing her any problems unlike ds (were having to pay for a private Ed psych for him).

She's in a school full of children who share her obsession (dance & performing)

manicinsomniac · 26/01/2014 21:45

nerfmother - are you sure it definitely doesn't fit an SEN profile?

I'll have to show my independent school system ignorance here gut what actually qualifies as an SEN and what as an SN?

Because the only truly gifted child I currently teach is also HFA, has OCD, is unable to empathise or see right from wrong and has moderate-severe EBD. This child has an ed-psych, an IEP, specialist lessons, mentoring and counselling. The child certainly seems SEN to me.

Or are all those things SNs/ANs?
(genuine ignorance not goadiness; we just put all children who need something different or additional to the majority on the same list at our school - from heart conditions to dyslexia to autism to giftedness - it's all termed SEND)

manicinsomniac · 26/01/2014 21:46

*but not gut

Nerfmother · 27/01/2014 22:43

Special educational need is defined in the sen code of practice (2001) but will be the same in new sencop as (from memory) having a learning difficulty that calls for special educational provision something something. Yes, I'm sure that on its own it's not an sen. Equally, a child or young person could have sen and be gifted.
SN is special need, so away from education.

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