Comics Focus Fifth-Grader’s Talents
Seth, 12, likes reading comic books, horror fiction by H.P. Lovecraft and playing video games featuring Super Smash Bros Meta Knight, a super-strong character.
Editor’s Note: The child’s name in this article has been changed to respect a request for anonymity.
Seth, 12, likes reading comic books, horror fiction by H.P. Lovecraft and playing video games featuring Super Smash Bros Meta Knight, a super-strong character.
His favorite subjects in fifth grade are social studies, technology, science, art and, he admits when urged by his mother, that chorus is okay — even though he didn’t think he could sing.
He has a good friend in school with whom he likes to partner on projects and assignments and, sometimes, they like to “play-wrestle.”
But Seth is aware he has differences from other pre-teens in his class due to his several mental disorders.
He has an intervention specialist who helps him control his occasional outbursts.
When he is taking a test, Seth said he uses a folding cardboard shield around his work to minimize distractions and stop other students from watching him, a system that works for him.
“I wrote an entire four paragraphs in 15 minutes,” Seth said.
Because he has dyslexia, Seth is given extra time to finish his work and keeps a “fidget” device handy to help disperse his anxiety.
He has a handful of friends in school and is working on improving his social skills, but has a formula that helps him deal with bullies.
In grades two, three and four, he got bullied a lot, he said, but now he has a handle on that.
“First, I try to be friends. Then I warn them,” Seth said, adding he is willing to defend himself physically, if needed.
His room, packed with books, balloons, pipe-cleaner characters, a Lego stage, action figures and standard young male décor, is where he keeps his sketchbook.
Armed with a lead pencil, Seth is quick to sprawl on the rug and set to work making an outline of his favorite subject on yet another page.
His talent could spark a career, or at least a serious hobby.
“He has started to write and draw his own comics,” his mother said, adding he gets good grades in social studies and would like to find a career where he can help people.
