Gifted schools or programmes around Vienna, Va.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Welcome to DC but please don't buy into the whole "how gifted is my child" hype so rampant around here. My kids are intelligent and social, but I have no interest in the gifted hype. In my opinion, around here "gifted" means "ADHD little sh*t whose parents never told them 'no' and whose differences need to be celebrated.'" Very annoying.

Now why would you say that. MY DS is not gifted but a very happy, average boy. He happens to have ADHD. You clearly don't know what ADHD is and I am not really upset with you but thought I would use your quote to educate others. He is in 7 th now and I have been amazed over then years how few people truly understand what ADHD is. Yes, there are behavioral components but it is not about behavior but executive functioning. And if you understood it or had a loved one with it - it is not to be made fun of, taken lightly, or made out to be some catchall phrase for what you are clearly thinking of as a " bad kid.". Again, it has a behavioral component, but it also has social, emotional, and learning issues ( for some) and it is heart- wrenching to watch your child suffer with something that is largely out of their control as it is how their brain develops their pathways. I would never say to someone it " means autistic, diabetic, disabled, little sh*t.". There are real people on here with real feelings and what you said was not true and unkind.

And another thing, the gifted program is not called gifted anymore. It is advanced academics. Believe it or not, there are kids who Either require advanced learning or who desire it. I have one of those as well. What is so wrong with that. I would prefer they keep everyone in the neighborhood and differentiate subjects but for some reason they can't or won't. I spent many years in the classroom and the kids who do learn faster and who want to talk about real subjects often can't. Last year my 2 nd grader was trying to talk about a topic the teacher was discussing and gave a serious answer and every kid but him and one other said something completely non- related and silly that even the teacher got annoyed. So, yes, we are happy he gets a chance to be a bit more challenged. That is all. We don't expect him to go to TJ or MIT. We just want him to like school as long as he can - since he already does. Please don't judge AAP or ADHD kids.

[Anonymous]

OP, I suggest you join the Fairfax County Association for the Gifted (FCAG) Yahoo Group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fcag/

There have been posters there that have moved to northern Virginia from abroad and have submitted paperwork to FCPS for Advanced Academics Program (AAP -- or gifted) placement. I think their experiences would be helpful to you as you make this (pretty big!) transition.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can see that the "gifted" label has certainly stirred up a wide range of emotions. I deliberately do not talk about my kids being in a gifted programme in NZ for this very reason. I thought the USA was less like this but hey, people are people and it certainly creates a robust debate.

Goodness, the US is a big country with a LOT of people. And this area is VERY dense. We cannot all be painted with the same brush; I'm sure you wouldn't like all of NZ to be painted as such. Count me into the overhyped-gifted opinion crowd. And relax. There are worse things in this area than criticism of the gifted pedestal. All the liberals, for example. I hope you like Obama or you will be very out of place, sadly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can see that the "gifted" label has certainly stirred up a wide range of emotions. I deliberately do not talk about my kids being in a gifted programme in NZ for this very reason. I thought the USA was less like this but hey, people are people and it certainly creates a robust debate.

Goodness, the US is a big country with a LOT of people. And this area is VERY dense. We cannot all be painted with the same brush; I'm sure you wouldn't like all of NZ to be painted as such. Count me into the overhyped-gifted opinion crowd. And relax. There are worse things in this area than criticism of the gifted pedestal. All the liberals, for example. I hope you like Obama or you will be very out of place, sadly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Welcome to DC but please don't buy into the whole "how gifted is my child" hype so rampant around here. My kids are intelligent and social, but I have no interest in the gifted hype. In my opinion, around here "gifted" means "ADHD little sh*t whose parents never told them 'no' and whose differences need to be celebrated.'" Very annoying.

Please don't judge AAP or ADHD kids.

As someone who is probably ADHD myself and surely was as a kid, but never had to be catered to with a label, I can judge as I like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Welcome to DC but please don't buy into the whole "how gifted is my child" hype so rampant around here. My kids are intelligent and social, but I have no interest in the gifted hype. In my opinion, around here "gifted" means "ADHD little sh*t whose parents never told them 'no' and whose differences need to be celebrated.'" Very annoying.

Please don't judge AAP or ADHD kids.

As someone who is probably ADHD myself and surely was as a kid, but never had to be catered to with a label, I can judge as I like.

Too funny! No one has ever catered to us - what does that even mean? It is a specific condition with a name that has medical, cognitive, and social implications. It is only a " label" to people who don't know what they are talking about and are judging. For some reason you feel entitled to be mean about other people's children and almost sound proud of yourself for judging others. - strange. I seriously doubt you are ADHD or you would not be so glib. If you really had it, you would know as it impacts all areas of your life and you would not wish it on anyone. I have had to educate myself a great deal and have talked many, many adults who are ADHD and none have your attitude. Okay, I have never gotten upset with someone on this board so won't start here. I am only responding to you to educate others.

[Anonymous]

wow! I am glad to see
I'm not the only one who is tired of the add- adhd labelling and also the Very Special Students designation!
but!
Welcome to Dc and I hope you do well, try not to
be so defensive here!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:wow! I am glad to see
I'm not the only one who is tired of the add- adhd labelling and also the Very Special Students designation!
but!
Welcome to Dc and I hope you do well, try not to
be so defensive here!!

It's twice exceptional, asshat. Careful, your ignorance is showing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:wow! I am glad to see
I'm not the only one who is tired of the add- adhd labelling and also the Very Special Students designation!
but!
Welcome to Dc and I hope you do well, try not to
be so defensive here!!

It's twice exceptional, asshat. Careful, your ignorance is showing.

My, what a ...lovely poster. You sure showed them, by stooping to their level.

Now, my question: WTH is "twice exceptional"? Is this a euphemism for autistic? Or is this kids who are verbal as well as math-centered and vice versa, or what on earth is that supposed to mean? Other than probably Newspeak jargon to make some parents feel better.

[Anonymous]

Oh yeah, 2X-exceptional. We have a kid in the neighborhood like this. Good grades but very bratty and can't play well with others, but likes Dr. Who, so he must be some kind of super specimen child who doesn't need a time-out or a swift slap but rather a medal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:wow! I am glad to see
I'm not the only one who is tired of the add- adhd labelling and also the Very Special Students designation!
but!
Welcome to Dc and I hope you do well, try not to
be so defensive here!!

It's twice exceptional, asshat. Careful, your ignorance is showing.

My, what a ...lovely poster. You sure showed them, by stooping to their level.

Now, my question: WTH is "twice exceptional"? Is this a euphemism for autistic? Or is this kids who are verbal as well as math-centered and vice versa, or what on earth is that supposed to mean? Other than probably Newspeak jargon to make some parents feel better.

Link: http://bit.ly/ILSYsa

[Anonymous]

"Twice-exceptional" is a phrase for our times. "Bright kids with issues" doesn't cut it.

[Anonymous]

Just wait until they get to "Thrice Exceptional"...

BTW, My kid is more exceptional than yours...

[Anonymous]

thread... off rails... can't... bring...it.... back...to orginal question...

Arrrrgggghhhh!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just wait until they get to "Thrice Exceptional"...

BTW, My kid is more exceptional than yours...

There ya go, that's the bumper sticker!

"My Kid is Twice-Exceptional. Sorry About Your Honor Student."

=D