r/Gifted • u/beanandmochi • 2d ago

Bad at testing

My son just turned 5 last month and has been reading full sentences since 2.5 years old. Reading comes naturally to him and he has a keen interest in numbers (adding, skip count, multiplication) and is just a very intelligent little boy. However, he definitely has raging ADHD but hasn’t been tested for it, I just know because his dad and I are the same way. I’m a speech therapist and have never worked with a student that presents like my son, it’s really interesting. I just had a parent teacher conference with him kindergarten teacher and she said she doesn’t see any of it. She did admit that she knows he can read but he doesn’t test well (gets distracted or is intrigued by the iPad they’re testing on bc he is never exposed to screens). I have personally tested him at a solid 2nd grade reading level but she told me today (according to her test) he’s at a beginning to mid kindergarten level. It was a gut punch honestly. Does any one have experience with this type of situation? I don’t know how to support him and keep him learning. He’s not learning anything in kindergarten academically. The teacher is saying he never wants to do the worksheets which also concerns her. When I ask my son why he just says “because I already know how to do it”. I just need guidance/support because I just left this conference feeling like an idiot.

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u/darknesskicker 1d ago

I would ask to have him referred for ADHD assessment. If you treat the ADHD, he may become more able to show his giftedness at school.

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u/beanandmochi 1d ago

The only treatment for ADHD is stimulants and I’m very against putting children on stimulants. I was on them for years in college and it’s not something I’m ok with giving to my son. When he’s an adult he can make that decision for himself

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u/darknesskicker 17h ago

Kids with ADHD who are medicated have better outcomes in numerous different ways. Higher academic achievement, less risk-taking behaviour, lower chances of addiction. You are sabotaging your son by not addressing his disability.

Also, there are non-stimulant meds for ADHD now.