This is almost exactly my story, right down to the IQ test part. IQ tests are known to be unreliable, and parents LOVE to boast about how high their kids' IQ is, to make themselves look good. I would advise simply dismissing that test; you are probably of average intelligence. I'd be willing to bet that most average kids' parents manage to get them to score really high on an IQ test so they can brag about it.
Since I share your fear of being "special," my advice is...just don't act like a "special" person. I think most people see a distinction between a "special needs" person, and a friend who is just not very bright in some areas.
From my experience, here are a few things that will have people talking slow to you:
* Not knowing how to dress, ESPECIALLY wearing Velcro sneakers past age six.
* Getting carried away with being "nice." (Not that you should be rude, but you get my point.)
* Seeming afraid to contradict your parents in any way, even behind their backs. (Again, not saying you should rebel just for the sake of it. But just cautious of using your parents' wishes as a reason for doing or not doing something. If yo say "because my mom doesn't want me watching those movies," for example, people will get the sense that you're very dependent on your mom.)
* Try not to speak like a school counselor. "I suck at math" will have a VERY different effect than "I struggle with math."
....basically, presentation is everything. You could be as stupid as me, but do a decent job at hiding it and be treated like a normal person, for simply *acting* like a normal person.
Is it normal that sometimes I feel mentally retarded?
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This is almost exactly my story, right down to the IQ test part. IQ tests are known to be unreliable, and parents LOVE to boast about how high their kids' IQ is, to make themselves look good. I would advise simply dismissing that test; you are probably of average intelligence. I'd be willing to bet that most average kids' parents manage to get them to score really high on an IQ test so they can brag about it.
Since I share your fear of being "special," my advice is...just don't act like a "special" person. I think most people see a distinction between a "special needs" person, and a friend who is just not very bright in some areas.
From my experience, here are a few things that will have people talking slow to you:
* Not knowing how to dress, ESPECIALLY wearing Velcro sneakers past age six.
* Getting carried away with being "nice." (Not that you should be rude, but you get my point.)
* Seeming afraid to contradict your parents in any way, even behind their backs. (Again, not saying you should rebel just for the sake of it. But just cautious of using your parents' wishes as a reason for doing or not doing something. If yo say "because my mom doesn't want me watching those movies," for example, people will get the sense that you're very dependent on your mom.)
* Try not to speak like a school counselor. "I suck at math" will have a VERY different effect than "I struggle with math."
....basically, presentation is everything. You could be as stupid as me, but do a decent job at hiding it and be treated like a normal person, for simply *acting* like a normal person.