OT.....My Son Overly Obsessed With Science

[Sugar Magnolia]

My son is ten. He has been into science since he was six. He is very into space, so we bought him a telescope. Last night he wanted to watch the movie that was airing about the investigation into the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1985. Fine. It was over at 10pm (past bedtime) but insisted he wanted to watch the biography of the "hero"of the movie, physicist Richard Feynman. No. Past your bedtime. Good night.
This morning he is at the computer googling Richard Feynman! He announces he wants his book "Surely You are Joking, Mr. Feynman" for Christmas. Then on the way to school, he tells dad he is worried about getting into MIT for college. He's TEN for crying out loud!
What kid is more in quantum physics than playing? Who cares more about a telescope than going to Disney? Who worries about.college admissions than 4th grade? Don't get me wrong, we are thrilled he is so smart and into science, but it is getting odd. Yes, he is also socially awkward too. I just find it odd he wants a book by a long dead scientist for Christmas. Should we be concerned? Or continue to encourage obsessions with astrophysics and string theory?

[preschoolteacher]

Sometimes kids with mild forms of Asperger's have intense passions (science is a common one) and trouble in social situations. I'm not trying to diagnose your child, just making an observation.

However, I think it's fortunate that he feels so excited about something. Better than not caring about anything and being a dull, uninteresting person! His interest is likely to take him far in life, too.

I think a lot of kids get fixated on things. For him, it happens to be science and not basketball or whatever other common interests 10 year old boys have.

Maybe you can help him join a science club or team where he can meet other kids with similar interests.

[Sugar Magnolia]

He is in Cub Scouts, and that snaps him out of the science obsession briefly. And helps him socialize. I don't suspect he's on the spectrum....yet. I like the science club idea!

[laceylmm]

My son 9 was just recently diagnosed with aspergers. Mildly so but one of the things he struggles (well I shouldn't say he struggles because to him it's perfectly acceptable) is being very focused on only the things he is interested in. And also if he wants to google something will not let me forget it. Also obsessed with Legos. Also not trying to diagnose.

I am still hesitant about this diagnosis because my son doesn't have 'meltdowns' that I keep hearing about but I guess that could come with where they are on te spectrum?


Otherwise I think it's great your son isn't asking for an iPad! Some kids just know what they like!

[Sugar Magnolia]

My son 9 was just recently diagnosed with aspergers. Mildly so but one of the things he struggles (well I shouldn't say he struggles because to him it's perfectly acceptable) is being very focused on only the things he is interested in. And also if he wants to google something will not let me forget it. Also obsessed with Legos. Also not trying to diagnose.

I am still hesitant about this diagnosis because my son doesn't have 'meltdowns' that I keep hearing about but I guess that could come with where they are on te spectrum?


Otherwise I think it's great your son isn't asking for an iPad! Some kids just know what they like!

Oh he wants an iPad, for research. Not games. Lol!::

[laceylmm]

Ha of course! A good reason none the less!

[Blackcat31]

Since you are so close to Kennedy Space Center....you have GOT to take him!My DS has been obsessed with science, space and Lego's (! ) since early elementary.

We went on a family trip to Florida when he was 8. Went to LOTS of places. He refused to participate in anything willinly and wanted to stay in the car for everything except the Kennedy Space Center.

That WAS pretty cool though.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Yes BC! KENNEDY ROCKS. My older son went to Space Camp twice. He liked it and got to see Discovery launch. The younger one is dying to go too. It's very pricey. And so is MIT. ::
My parents are talking about paying for Space Camp, I can't afford it right now. A trip over there is not too expensive though. Good idea!

[Blackcat31]

Yes BC! KENNEDY ROCKS. My older son went to Space Camp twice. He liked it and got to see Discovery launch. The younger one is dying to go too. It's very pricey. And so is MIT. ::
My parents are talking about paying for Space Camp, I can't afford it right now. A trip over there is not too expensive though. Good idea!

LOL! We were there on Ocotber 11, 2000 and saw Discovery launch as well!

We had just visited Big Daddy Don Garlits's (famous drag racer) place and drove straight to KSP and arrived just in time to see the launch... It was AWESOME!

Space camp would be soooo much fun!

Tell your son that maybe he could earn a scholarship to MIT.... it can give him some motivation to always to great in school.

[Heidi]

Oh, I would absolutely feed his passion.

I love quirky, geeky kids. lovethis

Does he have issues at school because of his single-mindedness? We are lucky now, because we have a charter school that is project based. My son is so much happier there!

[crunchymama]

I would feed his curiosity and encourage him. Space camp would be a great gift idea, I went when I was a teenager and really loved it.

[Leanna]

Maybe he's just a geek
I am a proud, card carrying member of the Geek Squad (and have been since age 6)
Be proud! Get a "My son is a Nerd" bumper sticker! Tell him to stand tall and be proud of his eccentricities. Better than being boring I say!

[Sugar Magnolia]

Maybe he's just a geek
I am a proud, card carrying member of the Geek Squad (and have been since age 6)
Be proud! Get a "My son is a Nerd" bumper sticker! Tell him to stand tall and be proud of his eccentricities. Better than being boring I say!

[Willow]

My son is ten. He has been into science since he was six. He is very into space, so we bought him a telescope. Last night he wanted to watch the movie that was airing about the investigation into the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1985. Fine. It was over at 10pm (past bedtime) but insisted he wanted to watch the biography of the "hero"of the movie, physicist Richard Feynman. No. Past your bedtime. Good night.
This morning he is at the computer googling Richard Feynman! He announces he wants his book "Surely You are Joking, Mr. Feynman" for Christmas. Then on the way to school, he tells dad he is worried about getting into MIT for college. He's TEN for crying out loud!
What kid is more in quantum physics than playing? Who cares more about a telescope than going to Disney? Who worries about.college admissions than 4th grade? Don't get me wrong, we are thrilled he is so smart and into science, but it is getting odd. Yes, he is also socially awkward too. I just find it odd he wants a book by a long dead scientist for Christmas. Should we be concerned? Or continue to encourage obsessions with astrophysics and string theory?

I could have wriiten your above about my daughter, only substituting "sharks" for science, "Dr. Clark" for Mr. Feynman and "marine biology" for your quantum physics.

Discovery Channels Shark Week is a religion to her and she checks for OCEARCH updates daily to see where her favorites tagged are pinging from. We don't read bedtime stories at tuck in, we theorize about why they might be there and where she believes they'll go next. She has very strong opinions about global warming trends and the fishing industry's impact on populations, as well as grave concern about pollution and preserving the integrity of our oceans.

She is also 10.

She is dyslexic but otherwise perfectly normal. I say encourage the heck out of his interest as we currently live in a country where most kids this age are most passionate only about video games.

Fingers crossed we someday meet up at a Nobel Peace Prize awards ceremony someday

[Willow]

He might enjoy the movie October Sky if he hasn't already seen it. Could be very inspriring being that it's based on a true story.

Get him started on simple (and safe) rocket kits with Christmas right around the corner