Naive Attempts

Not surprisingly, many gifted teens are uncomfortable asking a teacher for what they need and even less comfortable with their parents advocating for them.  Advice and assistance from mom or dad are often shunned as kids transition into the greater independence of secondary school.  

And their naive attempts at self-advocacy may get them into trouble.  Many a well-meaning but harried teacher has reacted negatively to a whining “This is boring!” piling on more rather than different work.  

Most students must be taught how to speak up appropriately on their own behalf.