Claudia's High IQ vs Claudia's Academic Performance

[Sideshowjazz1]

It was stated in book #2 that Claudia's IQ is above average. It's obvious she's very intelligent and extremely creative. However, the question remains: How can such a smart girl not know how to spell, say, peach (check out book #63, "Claudia's Freind Friend") or laugh?

Put your suggestions here.

And for the record, here's mine: Claudia lacks concentration. In fact, I would say she should probably be tested for ADHD, because it's clear she can work when she concentrates, but her attention span doesn't seem very good, even in art (Mac's comments to her about working too fast in "New York, New York" suggest that).

[CharlotteTJohanssen]

I agree that Claudia lacks concentration. I can't remember which book it was but I believe she spelled the same word wrong but in two different ways in the same journal entry. She's just not paying attention. In Claudia and the Middle School Mystery she shows that when she really tries she can pass.

I don't know if it's called ADD or ADHD but I've heard that it's misdiagnosed and not caught in girls and in minorities.

[Sideshowjazz1]

Absolutely. ADHD is linked to Autism Spectrum Disorder, and often one is misdiagnosed as the other, or neither are even caught in girls, since it was originally diagnosed in boys and manifests differently in girls. Claudia doesn't seem hyperactive, and that's the thing. Girls with ADHD are not really always wanting to be up and running around. Claudia's always spacing out and daydreaming, and that's more in line with the way it affects girls.

[CharlotteTJohanssen]

Exactly I can think of lots of times Claudia spaces out. I've also read that in girls the hyperactivity part could also manifest as hyper focusing. Doesn't Claudia always put art or baby-sitting above other stuff? This article points out that girls are more likely to get pulled back a grade in school and reading it I could see a lot of Claudia reading it. 

You know I once took an ADHD test as Claudia online (I know that they're not accurate and you shouldn't rely on them) but if you go by what that said, well. Yea she has it.

[LadyDru]

It was a combination of lacking concentration, being slower at catching onto things, laziness and bad writing on the ghostwriter's part..she has shown she can be book smart if she wanted to..and I can't hate on her for her attitude towards school since I didn't always enjoy it, either and there were quite a number of times my performance was not up to par..(although I was a really good speller)...and I especially don't like being helped by ppl who tend to make me feel stupid or get mad at me not catching on right away..plus there are honor roll students who don't like school, either.

[cnj]

I wondered if Claudia has ADD also...she is extremely creative.

I was sort of like her in school, especially grammar school and one of my nieces is a lot like her...bright, but underachieving.

I myself have ADD and high-functioning autism and was not diagnosed until about seven years ago.

So true that it's often missed in girls...I wonder if Lady Diana had ADD or a hidden math disability.

Diana was a very bright, creative lady who was musically gifted, but often struggled in school.

[CharlotteTJohanssen]

I remember reading on the wiki, that in super special 6 that the artist dude said that Claudia lacks focus. So I think there had to be some theory behind her having adhd.

[cnj]

People with ADD and ADHD usually do have trouble staying focused.

I know I get distracted too easily and I see it in Claudia when I read about her.

I suppose that's why I often have a million bits of my fanfiction going at once. 😁😁😁