This is not a troll question, I'd honestly like to know re: AAP Centers and "quirky" kids

[Anonymous]

I've read a few times here that AAP Centers are a "more accepting environment" for kids who are "quirky." I've also been reading about how there can be very little interaction between AAP and Gen Ed kids at Centers. So my sincere question: Do any of you with quirky AAP kids worry that they aren't getting the social feedback necessary to learn how to interact with a more representative population of children? In blunter terms: Do you worry about them getting more "quirky" because that's the norm in their AAP peer group and then having even more serious social issues when they hit middle school?

[Anonymous]

No. First, AAP centers go through middle school. Second, and more importantly, abundant research and experience shows that children develop best when they are in environments, academic and social, where they can be themselves. Trying to force themselves to be someone they are not doesn't work out too well for them individually, or for society. Once they have a strong inner foundation, developed in those early school years, they can more easily adapt to those unlike themselves.

Giftedness, by its definition, is not normal. But homogeneity isn't a particularly worthy goal, anyhow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've also been reading about how there can be very little interaction between AAP and Gen Ed kids at Centers.

That's not the case at our Center. Kids interact in music, art, PE, at recess as well as field trips. Kids are also grouped by grade vs. program in band, strings and chorus.

[Anonymous]

I wonder about OP's question also. This is part of the reason why we don't want DC in a center. Similar to the "robot" or geeky, introverted-Asians at TJ, this isn't the social skill set I think helps children develop the social skills they need to be sucesssful in the real world. Truthfully, DC is not quirky and has a tough time relating socially with the quirky kids. I think DC would be unhappy and potentially dominate social situation, to the dismay of all involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder about OP's question also. This is part of the reason why we don't want DC in a center. Similar to the "robot" or geeky, introverted-Asians at TJ, this isn't the social skill set I think helps children develop the social skills they need to be sucesssful in the real world. Truthfully, DC is not quirky and has a tough time relating socially with the quirky kids. I think DC would be unhappy and potentially dominate social situation, to the dismay of all involved.

The image of centers being full of quirky kids is not at all the case a DS' s center. There are some "quirky" kids, but most are not. I doubt your DC would "dominate" the social situation in DS' s class since most are socially very well adjusted. I think some parents try to play up the quirky AAP kid thing to try to make AAP sound special in some way.

[Anonymous]

I have a "quirky" kid who is at a center. I agree that your perception is probably wrong. My child is out of sync with kids in Gen Ed but also out of sync with many kids at the center. I don't see a significant difference at the center, although the center may be slightly more "quirky" friendly. It probably depends on the center and the school you're comparing it to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. First, AAP centers go through middle school. Second, and more importantly, abundant research and experience shows that children develop best when they are in environments, academic and social, where they can be themselves. Trying to force themselves to be someone they are not doesn't work out too well for them individually, or for society. Once they have a strong inner foundation, developed in those early school years, they can more easily adapt to those unlike themselves.
bo
Giftedness, by its definition, is not normal. But homogeneity isn't a particularly worthy goal, anyhow.

Beautifully put! An excellent post that sums it up nicely.

OP, please don't think that AAP centers are isolated hothouses for "quirkiness." I know some of the general ed students at our child's school (she's in AAP) and I find that these general ed kids can be as delightfully and happily quirky as any AAP kids!

And in our school, especially in the sixth grade, there is a LOT of interaction between AAP and general ed sixth graders: They do a sixth grade play that mixes them together plenty, from September to February; they all take a four-day camping trip together and are totally mixed for that, and it gives them a lot of friendships that cross any AAP-general ed "boundary"; they mix on the playground at recess and in certain classes every week; etc. Even without things like the play or the camping trip, I know that a lot of schools mix general ed and AAP students for a number of classes and events.

The post seems to indicate you worry that an AAP center student is somehow not going to be able to cope with "regular" kids due to being with other AAP kids, but believe me, they're fine. And as this other person noted: AAP does continue into middle school, and in middle school I know that schools also mix AAP and general ed students in electives, gym and other places. Don't let this worry you at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder about OP's question also. This is part of the reason why we don't want DC in a center. Similar to the "robot" or geeky, introverted-Asians at TJ, this isn't the social skill set I think helps children develop the social skills they need to be sucesssful in the real world. Truthfully, DC is not quirky and has a tough time relating socially with the quirky kids. I think DC would be unhappy and potentially dominate social situation, to the dismay of all involved.

The image of centers being full of quirky kids is not at all the case a DS' s center. There are some "quirky" kids, but most are not. I doubt your DC would "dominate" the social situation in DS' s class since most are socially very well adjusted. I think some parents try to play up the quirky AAP kid thing to try to make AAP sound special in some way.

I did not see this at our AAP center. There were a few quirky kids, but most were just smart and motivated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've also been reading about how there can be very little interaction between AAP and Gen Ed kids at Centers.

That's not the case at our Center. Kids interact in music, art, PE, at recess as well as field trips. Kids are also grouped by grade vs. program in band, strings and chorus.

This is my kid's school too.

Plus recess and activities.

[Anonymous]

The kids I know who go to AAP (from my daughter's gen ed. class) are not quirky at all. My DD who goes to a regular school, is probably a lot less socially inclined/mature than the ones who went to the AAP center.

The people who post on this board comment on the quirkiness all the time, but I don't think that is the reality. At least not the kids I've seen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The kids I know who go to AAP (from my daughter's gen ed. class) are not quirky at all. My DD who goes to a regular school, is probably a lot less socially inclined/mature than the ones who went to the AAP center.

The people who post on this board comment on the quirkiness all the time, but I don't think that is the reality. At least not the kids I've seen.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've read a few times here that AAP Centers are a "more accepting environment" for kids who are "quirky." I've also been reading about how there can be very little interaction between AAP and Gen Ed kids at Centers. So my sincere question: Do any of you with quirky AAP kids worry that they aren't getting the social feedback necessary to learn how to interact with a more representative population of children? In blunter terms: Do you worry about them getting more "quirky" because that's the norm in their AAP peer group and then having even more serious social issues when they hit middle school?

I have two profoundly gifted kids. Nothing is going to make them like the other kids. My kids have decent social skills. They just fit in with kids that are 2-3 standard deviations below them in intelligence. The problem isn't that my kids are lagging in social development. The problem is that the other kids are lagging behind them in in intellectual development.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've read a few times here that AAP Centers are a "more accepting environment" for kids who are "quirky." I've also been reading about how there can be very little interaction between AAP and Gen Ed kids at Centers. So my sincere question: Do any of you with quirky AAP kids worry that they aren't getting the social feedback necessary to learn how to interact with a more representative population of children? In blunter terms: Do you worry about them getting more "quirky" because that's the norm in their AAP peer group and then having even more serious social issues when they hit middle school?

I have two profoundly gifted kids. Nothing is going to make them like the other kids. My kids have decent social skills. They just fit in with kids that are 2-3 standard deviations below them in intelligence. The problem isn't that my kids are lagging in social development. The problem is that the other kids are lagging behind them in in intellectual development.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've read a few times here that AAP Centers are a "more accepting environment" for kids who are "quirky." I've also been reading about how there can be very little interaction between AAP and Gen Ed kids at Centers. So my sincere question: Do any of you with quirky AAP kids worry that they aren't getting the social feedback necessary to learn how to interact with a more representative population of children? In blunter terms: Do you worry about them getting more "quirky" because that's the norm in their AAP peer group and then having even more serious social issues when they hit middle school?

I have two profoundly gifted kids. Nothing is going to make them like the other kids. My kids have decent social skills. They just fit in with kids that are 2-3 standard deviations below them in intelligence. The problem isn't that my kids are lagging in social development. The problem is that the other kids are lagging behind them in in intellectual development.

That should say "don't fit in with kids that are 2-3 standard deviations below them in intelligence"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've read a few times here that AAP Centers are a "more accepting environment" for kids who are "quirky." I've also been reading about how there can be very little interaction between AAP and Gen Ed kids at Centers. So my sincere question: Do any of you with quirky AAP kids worry that they aren't getting the social feedback necessary to learn how to interact with a more representative population of children? In blunter terms: Do you worry about them getting more "quirky" because that's the norm in their AAP peer group and then having even more serious social issues when they hit middle school?

I have two profoundly gifted kids. Nothing is going to make them like the other kids. My kids have decent social skills. They just fit in with kids that are 2-3 standard deviations below them in intelligence. The problem isn't that my kids are lagging in social development. The problem is that the other kids are lagging behind them in in intellectual development.

Nice eyeroll.

You clearly haven't worked with kids who have IQs in the 150+ range. They're different, really different, and it isn't a social skills issue on their part.