How can a child in the gifted program be failing every class?

Question

My son's IQ is extremely high, but he is failing most of his classes with Ds and Fs. He gets in trouble daily at school. I am at my wit's end. Can anyone help?

Answer 1

It's obvious that your child is gifted in subjects other than those offered in the traditonal learning environment. What those subjects are is a matter left for your discovery. You may be surprised, and even frightened when you find what those are. Sounds like he's gonna be a real corker. (I'm guessing no daddy around?)

Answer 2

I don't know that I can "help", but I can say it must not be very rare. I went through the gifted program in elementary and middle school -- ours was a once a week all day thing -- I'm not sure how the program your son is in runs. There was a girl in the class who had terrible grades in all her regular classes -- I'm not sure if she got in trouble or not.

At the time the other students and I just thought she was "mistested" and really shouldn't have been there. Looking back I think she was just troubled. It's not "cool" to be smart and she seemed to be someone who wanted to blend in. I wouldn't be surprised if she also had family problems or ADD.

I'm not a psychologist by any means -- I was just her classmate -- but it might be worthwhile to try counseling to get to the root of the problem.

Answer 3

Have you asked him what's going on? Listening to why he thinks this is happening can help. You may want to make sure he doesn't have any reading issues, as some very bright people have dslexia (I'm not sure how that's spelled, sorry). I think the most likely thing, though, would be bordem. Maybe he's not being challanged enough, so he doesn't do the work. I worked for a summer program once for children who were struggling with their classes. One boy really didn't need to be there because he was extremely intelligent and didn't have problems with these things. He didn't do the work at school, though, because he was bored. If that's the case, maybe you can talk to his teachers and see if there's a way to challange him.

Answer 4

The gifted programs lack discipline that some kids need. I'm not talking about punitive disclipline, but more along the lines of positive structure. The gifted classes allow the kids to set their own pace and discipline themselves. Some kids, no matter their IQ, are not mature enough to handle this kind of freedom. Maybe a structured setting for another year and try again. Also, counseling for the bad behavior would be good.

Answer 5

It isnt a matter of ur childs IQ but they way he is actually making use and sense of it in class...Like ur saying that ur child is failing every class with D's and F's is a reason of him not concerntrating ang putting any efforts. This is getting like a lil serious cuz u r sayin tjhat ur at the end of ur wits and im sure u must have tried to persuade him to do better...and if even that hasnt worked out then its probably something distracting ur son ...cud be something that is troubling him consatntly or a diversion from studies.

To solve out all this matter i guess u have to patiently sit and be a good listener with him. And no matter what he says keep ur temper within urself and dont let it show.It necessarily need not ba something very serious cud be somethign very normal...whatever it wud be .....im sure wud be unexpected. So keep calm and think 10 times before u say or do anything. At this poiny of time ur child needs councelling.

Well let me give u a few reasons for such a behavious at skool like i have seen being a student.

Sometimes it isnt a childs fault cuz the teacher shows prejudice towards a particular child or maybe is just not clear in what he or she explains.

Or cuz b that ur kid has had constant fights with close friends n is nuw being supressed within himself and distracting him from his studies.

another reason cud be that ur child has been constantly been wanting to say something to u ...maybe abt something that he commited and feels guilty of...or maybe just a lil confession or maybe just wants to talk to u abt something he is not comfortable with in the surrounding.

Answer 6

There's more to doing well at school than simply being bright. It's also kinda important to actually do the work.

You need to figure out what exactly the problem is.... *why* isn't he doing the work? Is he bored? Is he scared? Is he depressed? Is he ADD/ADHD? There are all kinds of possibilities.

I would strongly recommend talking to a school counselor. They've seen this type of situation and dealt with it hundreds of times. It's their job, and they're usually pretty good at it.

Answer 7

Well he may be very intelligent ,but have an attention problem,like ADD,or ADDHD.Also he may be too smart for the classes he is in and is bored,or may have a comprehension problem.How old is he,it is never too early to worry about drugs,I knew several people in school who made straight As and were some of the biggest stoners in the class

Answer 8

His classes may still be too simple for him, possibly ADHD, depression, or some other neurological disorder or mental illness.
Have you discussed it with him? What is his excuse for not getting good grades? Is he just lazy in regards to everything he does? What is he doing in school that gets him into trouble, fighting, or speaking out of turn?

Answer 9

Two reasons; One; He not as gifted as people think. Two; He not being challenged Intellectually or with the subjects that interest him. Albert was the same way and many others.

Answer 10

He needs counseling and not at school, they aren't very good.He is not self motivated or disciplined. Don't keep putting it off. It will only get worse. I don't know his age but he may be into drugs.