I think someone has confused genius with ADD. Extremely gifted people aren’t “normal” and cannot be expected to behave or perform like “normal”. The problem is, what do you do? All I can say is that they should be nudged to the degree possible toward something that will allow their genius to be come productive.
Why not have the 8th grader try his hand at some CLEP tests? It might appeal to him as a challenge (although he probably would not have much trouble with it).
Trying out things will have to wait until I can be home again. I only managed 3 visits home each year over the last 3 years. It's just too expensive to drive 925 miles only to have to return in short order. I have to work 2 weeks to earn 7.68 hours off. Work 11 weeks and have a week of paid time off. My company has left me dangling in the wind with no chargeable hours too many times. I accrue vacation hours as a hedge against being unemployed.