My son is 8 and is in the gifted program at school. He generally makes close to 100 on all tests he takes and is a great student. BUT he has a tremendous problem with any sort of test that is timed or has pressure related to it; state tests, for instance. It has become such a problem that he literally cannot do the tests, he has what I would call a full blown panic attack within minutes of being handed a test. I have had every one of his teachers say something about it since he was in kindergarten. I have talked to them all and explained he is very perfectionistic (often a trait in gifted kids) and the less pressure applied before a test, the easier it is for him. Anyway, as I am sure everyone knows, public schools are funded on how well the kids do on state tests and, at least in the case of Mississippi, this makes the majority of focus at school to be on doing well on standardized tests. The kids are constantly reminded about them, they have pep rallies to encourage "doing your best", they take numerous practice tests (which are also timed). Anyway, there is not a week that goes by that my son isn't reminded about how "important" these tests are. I have tried to explain to him that these tests do not affect his grade in any way whatsoever. That they do not change anything; he won't be kicked out of school, make an F on his report card, anything. But no matter how much I tell the school they need to support these TRUE statements, they (of course) still push the tests down their throats.

Weds of this week my son had a complete breakdown in class because they were taking a standardized test in Reading. He only got to question number 2 and lost it. His reading facilitator (what a freaking joke) called and talked to me for about an hour about his "anxiety" problems and how I needed to teach him coping skills.

I don't know what to do. I have taught my son everything I can as far as coping skills. I reiterate to him constantly that these tests reflect NOTHING about him and his ability to learn, yet these messages are contradicted at school!

My son, being in the gifted program, also falls into the special education program (just the other end of the spectrum than what people ordinarily expect for SPED). I know that special ed students are entitled to additional resources, therefore my son is. How do I get the school to provide these resources without causing problems? They believe that because he's "gifted" he shouldn't have any problems with anything at school. I'm so frustrated and worried for my son.

Any suggestions?