Building Social Skills in Gifted Youths?

UNOStudent asks: "I'm currently a Biotech undergrad at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and have spent the past several semesters mentoring gifted youngsters and have been presented with a challenge this semester. My student is unbelievably smart, however has very limited social skills, is unable to cooperate with peers, doesn't understand why they make fun of his uncombed hair, etc. Since many of us may have grown up in a similar circumstance, I'm looking for suggestions from my fellow geeks on ideas for how to challenge him mentally, while building essential social skills." How would you build social skills in someone more concerned with math, science and computers?

Comments

Re:Discipline the other kids, please.

[Mike Hawk]

Johnny gets a time-out and a talk about how we're all different people, and we need to accept those who are different from us.

Isn't being intolerant of intolerance still intolerance? The smart kid isn't the problem, true, but neither are the "bullies" (whatever that means). Turns out there are alot of reasons why someone might be perceived as a "bully".

I was in a situation in high school where I got a 5 on my AP Calculus test AND lettered 5 times in sports. I got to see both sides. Your notion that people fall into one category or the other is basically ignorant. One can be whatever one wants. If one wants to be both mentally and physically strong, this is possible. Being the butt of the joke, to an extent, is helpful. It probably means that the individual is not just outside of "normal" but so outside of the norm that they draw the attention of every other human on the planet.

Everyone needs to learn to enjoy losing. If an individual has left high school without both the ability to kick someone's arse and to accept an arse whooping, than person missed out the what little there is to be gained from the public school experience.

Just because you are Different doesn't mean you aren't Wrong. If your hair looks stupid and someone tells you so, thank them. There are whole industries based on providing the proper image to people. Check them out sometime. It IS ok to "pick on" (whatever that means) other people. This is one way of learning. Don't expect people to fall into the little boxes of "jock" and "nerd" that you have created for yourself to help you cope with life. Hey, this would seem to indicate that you are actually part of the problem. I can't wait until my kid is applying for the same job as yours and my kid makes fun of yours until they leave the lobby in tears before even going in for the interview. Suh-weet.

Bravo! Open-mindedness 101 (F)

[gosand]

As much as I appreciate being intelligent at such a young age, getting good grades on a standardized test is hardly a standard to look up to. Unless, of course, you are going to be taking tests as a career in life.

Way to take one small illustrative point and base an entirely negative opinion on it. These kids are also taking calculus in the 6th grade. But I guess learning complex math is not worth noting. They also do things like play several instruments, create interesting art, speak and write other languages, read novels, and do social service projects. But lets focus on the fact that they did extremely well on a standardized test and point out that it doesn't mean anything. Twit.

Re:Cross Country

[geoffspear]

Yes, they teach such worthwhile values as the necessity of discriminating against homosexuals, athiests, and agnostics. Help keep America great by spreading bigotry.