My student?

I teach Social Studies to seventh and ninth graders. I have a 12 year old student whom I've been observing for the last few months. She has some very odd behaviors, and is not an IPP (you call them IEP's in the states) student. These behaviors are slightly concerning.


For example, she doesn't seem to have a lot of friends, and doesn't seem to want to socialize much and often reacts oddly to the other children. Her conversations go in circles and lead no where. She seems much happier to play with her belongings than other children. She often seems to be lost in her own world.


She's very bright and has an excellent memory. She never forgets anything. Last week she drew a very detailed complex map of our large city, and when I compared it to the actual map, it looked like a photocopy.


Are these behaviors considered normal? In my decade of teaching experience, I've never had a student who behaved in this manner. Does anyone have any idea as to why she's behaving in this way?

My student?
I would not automatically assume Aspergers or Autism.





It sounds like she is gifted and maybe the "odd" behaviors are due to social anxiety / phobia which can be much more easily treated than the other disorders mentioned.





I think you should request a meeting with the appropriate counselor in your school and the girl's parents to discuss the behavior and possible psychological evaluations.
Reply:sounds like a mild case of "idiot savant" syndrome. Especially that detailed map-drawing bit. I would recommend her to the school counselor so they can evaluate her/help nourish her talents and cope with her social problems.
Reply:These are symptoms of autism.
Reply:You honestly can never really know. Perhaps you can call the parents and go over her behavior with them, perhaps they can give you a reason or a diagnosis of her odd behavior.





All children act different. You will sometimes come across more complex personalities once in a while.





I'm sorry I'm not of much help
Reply:Sounds like a case of autism. I suggest researching autism and match the symptoms.
Reply:Maybe it is not she who doesn't want to socialise with the children but other students do not want to talk to her. It maybe autism, but that is also due to her being shy in nature. try some ice-breaking games in the classroom to get the students to know more about one another. Or try to talk to her and find out what stress or problem she has. Well, if she is happy in this way, just let her be. A student who can enjoy and gets happy during lessons is the most important thing.
Reply:Whats happened shes matured and grown up too fast!





It happens! Luckily I've escaped that age this year!





Well back to her, she properly looks at other students and thinks their acting very childish (Which they normally are)





Just let her be shes fine. Also very bright!





If you really are concerned about her just ring her parents they may have a answer! I ring parents all the time I actually feel like a family friend! Ha ha





Have a nice Christmas!
Reply:She must be autistic. Most likely, she has Asperger's. They seem normal but there are a few things like lack of interaction with peers, highly intelligent, and a knowledge of useless facts.


I met a preschooler who didn't want to play with the other children or didn't want to be involved in group activities. So, she was put to be in charge of the school's new pet, Toby the bullfrog. She played with Toby everyday at school and continued with her learning. But soon, she started to open up to the other kids. Somehow, the frog taught her to open up. It was weird. I guess she was tired of talking to a frog that couldn't talk back and now she wanted feedback from someone or something. Children like her needs time and some help to open up. It's frustrating but it's worth it when they do.
Reply:Hmm.. my sister teaches autistic children, but they are around 5-9 years old. Yous daughters behavior sounds just like the kids my sister teaches. Autistic children often like to be alon, but they have a special gift some with math, or some with memory like your daughter. I hope she doesnt have it. It usually is more susceptible to boys, but some rare cases show it in girls. I dont know though you should see a physician, autism is usually diagnosed in the early years of childhood, your daughter is 12 so, maybe shes just a late bloomer or shy. Good luck!
Reply:um autism maybe but get her involved anyways
Reply:"The thing is that some of the times some of the smarter kids seem to be a little more shy and like to keep things to themselves because some think that if they get mixed in with someone with lower gpa's or dont focus as much as them they will begin to lose there gpa's and there good grade's


and the things with the conversations going nowhere is that most of the students cant keep up with her developing vocabulary so she ends up spending more time going in circles explaining herself instead of having a real conversation with the other student's".
Reply:The conversational skills are concerning, it kind of sounds like Aspberger's syndrome. In my experience of teaching, because it is a communication issue, speech therapist/ pathologists know a lot more about this syndrome. Maybe ask if he or she can informally observe this student, and see if it is severe enough to warrant any Big concern.





Usually an IEP is only written if the disorder affects the student's progress in the academic classroom.
Reply:get her involved in the arts.