highly intelligent children who lack common sense
By velvetroses1
@velvetroses1 (4)
United States
January 10, 2007 11:05am CST
I have a 10 year son who is highly intelligent some might call gifted. He has been writing stories, plays and songs since he was 3 years old. He takes dancing lessons, acts in both amature and professional theatre, does extremely well in school and has an excellent memory except when it comes to simply, everyday things. He has to constantly be reminded to look both ways before crossing a street, not to open the door to strangers, etc. He is so busy thinking and creating in his mind that mundane, daily activities bore him. Does anyone else have a child like this? I am constantly reminding him of things like safety rules, remembering his lunch box, remembering his jacket, remembering to do chores and homework. My other two children don't have this problem. I've talked with school teachers, counselors, psychologists and no one has any answers. Does anyone have any suggestions?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@sodapop (977)
• United States
2 Jun 07
My son was tested gifted. He has no common sense at all. It is not because he can't remember things, he is just lacking in common sense. I have talked to many doctors and they have told me that gifted children often have no common sense. They are also more likely to kill themselves because of the lack of common sense. You can not teach common sense. You either have it or you don't. Watch him closely until he is older, because they tend to get in trouble when the are bored, which is most of the time. My son is 21 and the only thing that helps him is he keeps a small notepad with him at all times to write down the common sense things he needs to remember. I hope this helps you.
@Qcorianne (26)
• United States
2 Jun 07
My little sister and brother are the same way about common sense matters. The important thing is to just keep reminding him what he needs to do. Eventually, it will stick somewhere. Most people who are told they are gifted tend to let anything they consider unimportant fall to the wayside. Make sure he remembers that the little things are what will get him in the long run.
