Extremely bright but socially awkaward boys and independents

[Chelmsford mum]

hey - get that kettle on for a coffee you!

[dinah]

EM it sounds like you are having a hard time with a bright child who has some difficulties socially. Don't be too prickly though.It's hard not to be when you are wrestling with a tricky situation with your child and you might be under pressure applying for schools and so on. You don't say how old your child is or where you think you might be applying to.Don't despair. I am always saying ' the wrong thing' on here and so are lots of other people but if you persevere and maybe take a risk and be a bit more open you will get some good advice . Children on the autsitic spectrum do need a school where there is some understanding of the specific difficulties which affect them but as long as you are open with the school you will usually find if they are bright enough to get into the school all things can be overcome.

[Amber]

(I do so deplore the personal on this site)

I have to say that for me, often the personal is the best bit; while I can see that objective and informed advice is always welcome, so is the bit (for me, at least) which says 'I know how you feel and I empathise'.

I think if posters are seeking entirely personal-opinion-free information, it might be better found elsewhere - perhaps from schools themselves, from charities involved with particular types of children (SEN, autism etc), from parent support groups for those children, G&T organisations. The thing which drags me back to this forum again and again is the interesting mix of the personal and the informative, and while I can see it might not suit everyone, I think it a little unecessary to 'deplore' it, while still on the face of it asking for advice.

[mad?]

The thing which drags me back to this forum again and again is the interesting mix of the personal and the informative, and while I can see it might not suit everyone, I think it a little unecessary to 'deplore' it, while still on the face of it asking for advice.

I agree, although I suspect 'on the face of it' might be key here.

[ealingmum]

Perhaps I wasn't clear my child is not wasn't one of those extremley bright children, perhaps on the autistic spectrum, who might struggle socially.

As a general rule, how do schools support such children that they admit to selective schools on the social side?

[T.i.p.s.y]

I don't think there are many who have kids that fit this description on here so you may not get much help. Although I would argue that all men are on the autistic spectrum to some degree...

[Amber]

I think it unlikely that anyone without direct experience of the situation would be able to comment in a meaningful - and impersonal- way on this.

[moved]

My child isn't 'like that' as you put it, thank goodness - intellectual ability is far less important than social and personal skills, and of course simple hard work.

I will start this with the comment that I find the above quote offensive. There are far more parents than you realise with children in this category.

Glad you can "thank goodness", unfortunately we cannot. We have the child who has oodles of unimportant intellectual ability, yet finds the hugely important social interaction required at school very hard. As I don't need him to run for prime minister or anything else, I am not sure why he is so damned, as you seem to think, by his particular failings.

The wonderful people on this site who posted very personal information were of enormous help during a recent very difficult time for us. I am pleased that total strangers feel able to post with their own experiences.

I am, however, confused as to why you wish to have an answer to the question you posted. Many schools that cater for bright boys will have a significant proportion of children who fall within your category. The aim, then, is surely to ensure that these freaks are made as happy as possible at school.

Edit: If you are particularly interested for any decent reason speak to Westminster. I found them delightfully well-informed.

[ealingmum]

I am sure there is both much joy and challenge with a child perhaps autistic and talented, and it is good as you suggest that schools do provide support. The support isn't immediately obvious when one visits schools and talk to staff - many will talk about support for mild dyslexia but not other forms of specialist expertise that they have on their staff. If education is about social as well as intellectual development I wonder if there should be more emphasis on support in this area, in addition of course the the full range of extra currucular opportunities that such schools generally offer

[Thea]

Yet another EalingMum attempt to wind up the forum - suggest better just to ignore.