Advice

[Derdu]

Hi, I just wanted to ask some questions and get some advice about DS who is 10. I’d be really grateful for any thoughts. He goes to a local school- he’s doing above average at most subjects (nothing remarkable) but he read early and still reads voraciously. However, he’s obsessed with science and electronics. He takes household appliances apart and makes systems out of them- he makes and solders electromagnets etc. He teaches himself and adapts circuits etc making them better etc etc. When he succeeds he’s almost ‘high’. He would
do this day and night if we let him. He gets no extra work at school and tbh it is quite difficult to push this kind of interest with the resourced they’ve got. Socially he has a small group of lovely ‘geeky’ friends (and I say that with affection!) that accept him as he is. However, he has always kept us on our toes emotionally - he doesn’t like being wrong/ accept authority very well/ when he’s in a bad mood - he finds it really hard to get out of. He’s had some help with this at school and is now doing well with no
ongoing issues. He also plays team sport and he enjoys it and its good for him and he takes martial arts. I suppose I’m asking if this interest is just ‘normal’ (Whatever that is!) or something more unusual. Can kids be gifted in one specific area? Could his behaviour be a part or clues for what’s going on with him with his passion? Thanks.

Is he/ would he be interested in computer coding? only asking because there are classes that he could attend, online or in various locations. I can't really think of electronics 'classes' or any other ways to support his interest! He might make a great engineer, but really it won't be before KS3/KS4 that he'll be able to work on the subject. He might like physics at secondary school. Yes I think that some children can be gifted in one area, and generally above average in most things. I also think that personality-wise, many high achieving kids will find a few things that they are passionate about and will excel in those subjects.

Thanks for the thoughts. Absolutely, he loves coding and I bought him ardulino so he can carry on. He uses and adapts that and makes projects himself. He makes himself heart monitors and such like and also 3d prints components and adds them into his designs. Good idea about online though- I will check it out. I’ve given him some KS3 books on science and he reads and understands those. It is hard to find resources for him and I feel that his interest isn’t really focused on until later- which is a pity for him because it makes him so happy.

What about Lego, Kinex or Raspberry Pi?

Also BBC has some interesting science documentaries.

Khan Academy has lots of science things as well.

I think you are right though, that keeping a balance with social activities is important. A career in science or engineering has increasingly become working as part of a team and science has become more cross discipline. The ability to fit in with and talk to others is an important skill to build.

Oohh, I’ll check out khan academy. Thanks for that suggestion. Yes- he has a raspberry pi and he has design software. We’ve really tried to support him socially- that’s so important. You always try and help them with the stuff they find most difficult. Team sports have been great for him. The school has a great SEN dept and they haven’t picked anything up. Over the years I’ve looked into different things like autism and aspergers but he’s never quite fitted but he’s spent a lot of time feeling frustrated. He’s been working on his projects (as he calls them!) for a couple of years now and is teaching himself more and more and we try and support that. Is it common that when the child finds their interest that their behaviour can settle a bit?

He might be gifted in one area, but might also just not be bothering with subjects he's not interested in. So the frustration might stem from boredom, and now that he's not bored, he's no longer so tense.

I agree with you totally about the social aspects, but finding like minded children can also be a huge help.

I don't know where you are but some things he will enjoy included imagineering - my DD loved this when we came across them a few years ago.

Also look for the Big Bang fairs, Lego Robotics clubs and these courses are good if you are in the south east.

Finally, there's a good list of more courses here.

Finally, again depends on where you are but do think about a selective school for secondary; this is not just about the teaching but also the range of extra curricular stuff that they will provide and the being amongst his peers.

Hi, thanks so much for the suggestions.

I have worried a lot about him over the years. Its difficult when a child is frustrated and you don’t know how best to help. I have spent years thinking it may be this or that, but to no success. Perhaps if his interest was in music or something, we would have noticed sooner. You don’t tend to give young kids electrical circuits! I just felt something wasn’t right with him but couldn’t put my finger on it. He’s definitely happier in himself now he’s able to engage with his interest. He’s getting happier the older he gets- almost like he has more control and agency himself if that makes sense?

Unfortunately, we’re in rural wales- so no choice of school and difficult to find like-minded groups for him to join but with all these brilliant suggestions for the online stuff, at least I can help him on with those....As you suggest, I will also maybe chat to his teacher about his other subjects to see where he’s at with those and his general attitude in class...

I don’t think for a moment that classing him as talented would solve anything for him, but I am beginning to think that it may throw some light on his behaviour/ character and help us help this gorgeous complicated little man we’ve got!

Oh and I forgot about snap circuits but you might have those.

Do you have a uni near you - they may do STEM outreach work which could help?

He sounds like DH. He was unexceptional at school but loved building lego and similar and could make really impressive designs. He also knew loads about space and science. He didn't pass the entrance exam for the super selective grammar and went to a comp. He was unexceptional there until about Y9 when he decided he wanted to be a computer scientist so needed good grades. He ended up going to Cambridge and coming within the top 5 in his year.

The emotional profile you describe definitely fits the profile of a gifted child too. You could look at potential plus. They have information, events etc. Does he program? He might enjoy scratch.