I have a 4 year old son, who seems to be very smart for his age. He knew the colours, shapes, alphabets and many rhymes before he turned 2. When he was 2 1/2 we got a him map and a globe. Within 3 months he was able to show us 180 countries. He remembers and understands things very fast. He started reading when he was 3 yrs and 8 months. Apart from these he seems to be very sensitive to sound, smell. Full of energy, sometimes can be mistaken as hyper active. Can spend hours together on puzzles or things that interest him.

Of late we have been getting complaints from the school saying that he doesn't participate in most of the activities, won't follow their instructions. Does it mean that there is a problem? Do we need to see a doc or is it a normal 4 year thing? But at home he is an angel apart from few episodes. Spends his time reading or playing. Is the issue with his school or with him?

He sounds like my son when he was that age. Please take him to your doctor and even get a referral to a good child psychologist. My son turned out to be autistic, and maybe that is what is going on with your son -- no interest in social and group activities, super smart, excellent memory, love for trivia, superior focus on what he enjoys learning about or doing, hates loud and surprising and/or loud noises like popping balloons or thunder or sirens, very early reader. The trick is, if he is autistic, to help him find ways to compensate and fit into society. For instance, my son has learned how to start and continue a conversation, how to manage being in a social group, etc. Meanwhile, he has helped me work on hard crossword puzzles and has taken over almost all the housework (he LOVES to clean!).

Has the school made any constructive suggestions or just simply complained about him ?

Thank you Wondergirl and Curlyben. The school has just complained with a suggestion saying we need to work on his behaviour. The school director suspects he might be advanced and getting bored with school activities, but guess he is too young for testing.

Wondergirl - what are the symptoms that I should be looking for? He enjoys Adults or bigger kids than his age mates.

My son had asked me, Am I bad? I told him, No your brain is wired slightly differently than other people's and there are so many great things about you and what you can do that others don't have and can't do. His intelligence and insight constantly amaze me.

Here's a characteristics list -- but please, this is just something to think about. Only a psychiatrist or psychologist can diagnose your son.

List of autism characteristics (http://calgaryautism.com/characteristics.htm)

Thank You Wondergirl. I would make a point to meet his paediatrician this coming week.

Please post here again. The topic of autism fascinates me. I am married to a guy who has Asperger's and his dad did also, plus I have written articles for an autism magazine.

Ask the teacher for exact details on behavior. Some children don't like to listen when they know what's being taught. Others do have behavioral issues. Your pediatrician should give you some paperwork to fill out, and one for the teacher. If not, please ask for it. It will be helpful to understand the timing of the behavior. I teach Kindergarten, so I should be able to help, also.

Sounds just like my daughter at 4 and she isn't autistic. The deal with her was that she was just too advanced for what the school was teaching her as she already knew the curriculum. She was just bored.

She was moved from preschool to kindergarten at age 4 and we never had another problem. She graduated high school with a 3.8 GPA and is now in college with a current 4.0.

Sounds just like my daughter at 4 and she isn't autistic. The deal with her was that she was just too advanced for what the school was teaching her as she already knew the curriculum. She was just bored.

She was moved from preschool to kindergarten at age 4 and we never had another problem. She graduated high school with a 3.8 GPA and is now in college with a current 4.0.

Exactly! That's why I suggested getting a more detailed explanation from the teacher.

Exactly! That's why I suggested getting a more detailed explanation from the teacher.
And that's why I said "[autism] is just something to think about," something to tuck into the back of your mind. No matter what it is (if anything), an early intervention, if needed, will make a world of difference as the child develops.

And that's why I said "[autism] is just something to think about," something to tuck into the back of your mind. No matter what it is (if anything), an early intervention, if needed, will make a world of difference as the child develops.

Yes, we all need more details. Behavior at that age can vary, we just need to know more!!