Anyone hold back their child a year before kindergarten due to delay?

[Anonymous]

Our beloved preschool teacher recommended this for my son, as did the developmental pediatrician we consulted, who had diagnosed him with ADHD and learning disabilities.

But it turns out he was also gifted, learned to read extremely quickly and progressed to Harry Potter-style books by 1st grade. He was not appropriately challenged, so he "skipped" a year and ended up with his same-aged peers in 2nd grade where he wasn't appropriately challenged in reading either, but since he had social difficulties, we didn't dare skip him ahead again.

Later we found out that he was also autistic and that reading is one of his areas of hyperfocus. For that sort of kid, there is no optimal fit. Now he's college and can pick whatever abstruse courses he wants, he's much happier. He's following his ordained fate of becoming the little professor type

So make sure you're flexible. Your kid might surprise you!