Community Corner
Gifted but Underachieving?
Q: Years ago, we had our high school-aged son was diagnosed with dyslexia and executive function disorder. It presents as ADD/ADHD, which is very confusing for laymen like myself and my spouse. My teen also tested in the 130's for IQ. He's charming, writes poetry, paints, composes music and is interested in everything that is not school-related. He loves physics and trig, but made an F in Trig this past quarter because he didn't do his homework.
He's extremely unorganized, depressed, has lots of stress and anxiety and has put all of his faith and hope in the messages he receives from friends that " college will be easier." Will it? We need him to learn organizational, decision-making, and time management skills that he just cannot seem to acquire at home or at school. As a parent, I feel like a failure. Please advise.
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A. Your teen’s issues with homework, organization, depression and anxiety — along with the diagnoses you mentioned — are unfortunate and unrecognized characteristics of a creatively gifted, right-brained thinker. You need assistance, suggestions, and recommendations.
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These will be covered at my presentation on Saturday, October 19, 2013 from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m., “ADHD: Creatively Gifted, Right-Brained Thinkers” which will be held at the 4031 University Drive, Fairfax VA 22030. There will be handouts at this presentation
As a former high school and middle school Special Education teacher of the Gifted & Talented who has been a coach for Underachieving Teens, especially the Gifted and those with ADD/ADHD, I have dealt with these issues a great deal during my 20+ years of teaching and ten years as a coach/consultant.
My presentation will be preceded by “How to Get More Done: Helpful Time Management Strategies for the Whole Family” by Dr. Abigail Levrini and other coaches from PsychEd Coaches. This presentation at the same location begins at 1:00 p.m. and lasts until 2:30. Both Dr. Lavrini and I will have Q&As at the end of our presentations.
Both sessions are free and open to the public.
