It's funny the way things turn out

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My daughter who is now 8, really struggled when she started school. By then many kids knew their ABC although she never 'got it' even though we read to her from the time she was a dot, and I mean 4-5 books a night and she loved them, but never learnt the words or ABC even though we tried.
The first yr at school progress was soo slow, she would often ask in frustration 'why cos I can't do it?' about not being able to learn things. By the next yr is was obvious she was failing, she got put in all the remedial reading and maths and spelling classes and felt dumb. We got her assessed and she was dx with Dyspraxia. We got OT for her, got her into ballet, swimming, anything physical we could. She made better progress and clawed her way up to what I can only describe as 'not failing'.

Last year she improved more and her reading and so-on came up to average. Three months ago we went to a PT interview and were utterly floored to find her reading and reading comprehension moved to the top 5% for age.

And now on Friday the teacher tells us that in her and other teachers opinions our daughter is 'gifted' and in the educational vernacular 'twice exceptional' which means she has both a learning disability as well as being gifted. They are going to put her into the schools gifted programme.

Anyway to me it is an amazing turn around even though I guess her talent was always in there. That makes me feel like perhaps my son James who is Autistic and non-verbal might be able to leap ahead too. Maybe that's drawing a long bow, but I feel hopeful.

That is so awesome! It sounds like she's really been getting the right help. I hope your son will respond as well too.

I remember reading an article by a woman who had a gifted daughter and an autistic son, bemoaning the fact that so much money was spent on helping her son instead of helping her daughter. I could see her point, because my son is also extremely bright and I feel that aspect is not encouraged or helped as much in his school as it should be. (The budget for their "gifted program" basically covers the testing to get the kids into it. ) But on the other hand, I wondered -- what if her son is *also* "gifted" and she has no idea because he's not communicating it yet?

I continue to be amazed at the stories I hear of children who come so far! That is wonderful news. I know the journey for you has probably not been a piece of cake. Anyway, I pray that my son will turn a corner one day. I am ok either way, but it would be so nice to see him be able to progress like that. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for you kind words, and I reckon all of us just hang in there, and keep advocating for and have faith in our children

Being a geek, and thinking somewhat in images myself, I like to imagine there is an interface layer between our minds and the outside world. And that the layer of an Autistic child is just different and a bit more difficult to interface with than the regular childs layer. But underneath its the same.

I think about Temple Grandin; 'put your child in an institution' the experts told her parents, and if they had of done that (instead of getting someone to work intensively with her when she was young) she would probably be there now, non-verbal and doing jigsaw puzzles. People might visit now and again and say, 'There goes poor Temple, such a shame she was born ret*d'!

Congratulations! I've seen the same kinds of things in my kids. It's just amazing to see them blossom. My guys tend to make huge leaps all at once. Eldest could not grasp the concept of a symbolic representation of the sounds in words, but was very skilled verbally. Then, at around 8 it just came to him and he went straight to a sixth grade/12yo reading level. He has bounced back and forth between regular and gifted classes but that's because of mood disorder issues not his AS.

My little guy didn't talk until he was five, but as soon as he did he made massive leaps and was quickly put into the gifted program, along with my middle son, an Aspie, who was already in it.

It's incredible to watch, isn't it? Delays don't mean they don't get there or aren't bright. I find that incredibly thrilling.

Had to bump this, my daughter started in the gifted programme last week which is a couple of hours a week (the kids weren't told what it was about) and really enjoys the things they do. They have discussions, do experiments, learn about things like philosophy, space etc.
Today one of the questions they were asked was 'If you had to choose what would you have, friends or wealth, and why?' there some good answers from the boys choosing one but explaining why that choice would get them both, Hannah considers it in her slightly different way and said 'friends, because you can't talk to a coin'

sounds like you are doing a great job teaching your daughter the right things! Congrats!

My son was initially diagnosed as fully Autistic. He was non-verbal until age 3.5. He started ABA therapy (in home 35-40 hrs. a week) at age 3. He fully blossomed. He is a 2E Child.
My blog is for parents of 2E children, as well as, NTs. It explains the therapy, and the great mothering, used to great effect. Stop on by, I am sure many will learn a few tips and many more can relate.
http://2echild.blogspot.com/

Thank you. I had never heard of the term"Twice Exceptional" until a few years ago. We were so very fortunate with the ABA therapy. Not only was it a full in-house program paid for by the state, but the quality of the staff was superb. Of course, with the state of the economy now, the programs had to be cut way back. I am glad to hear of your daughter being a 2E Child. One concern I had for my son before we knew he was 2E, was his future. I had opened a Roth IRA for him. Money compounded in dividend bearing stocks or any interest bearing vehicle will, over 50-60 yrs., have grown so substantially that it could fund his retirement. Money front loaded from $5,000. now, would be substantial. Good luck to you.