Where to Identify gifted children?

Question

Free assesment is what I am looking for. He meets those check list you can find on the internet. He is kindergarten age. The preschool set standards for him way above the other children. He is super sensitive and I was wanting to help him and I believe this may be why. Math is only area where his is right on target. otherwise he is leaps and bounds ahead of other 5 yr olds. Any suggestions on getting him assessed?

I called the school district and thier response was every parent thinks thier child is gifted. I didn't want to wait till he started because I'm afraid he will get board. Even at thier prescreening the delevopementalist had never seen any child his age with his vocabulary and understanding of language.

Answer 1

I think your school district will be able to help you. My son is this same way. He is going into second grade but testing at a fourth grade level. Our school district does special testing for gifted kids and their teachers give them different work. I would call your school district and ask for help.

Answer 2

I agree with the posts the other parents have sent in, you will not find a free test outside the school system, and most of them do not test prior to 1st and 2nd grade.

My daughter was tested at the end of 1st, and then spent the rest of that year and the following in a special program that was only held one hour a week.

Then in the 3rd she was moved to a gifted school (which is a city school), and that was a tremendous change for her...they really "got" how these kids need to learn and the classes are very hands on and faster paced. She is about to start 5th grade in the fall, and is still in the gifted school and loves it.

Beforehand, though, I made a conscious effort to stimulate her at home, because school was so easy for her and it bored her. We went to art and children's museums, visited local historical sites, joined Girl Scouts so she could have the ability to benefit from their science programs at the local university. I know he isn't a girl, but Boy Scouts or another youth organization in your area could offer programs to give him opportunities to try his hand at new things.

Also check out some of the local universities. Here William and Mary has a special Gifted Child program, where kids as young as 5 can take specialized classes, in things like science, writing, drama, and history. The university could also possibly test your child to see if he could attend. Worth looking into!

Answer 3

Outside of a school district, there is no such thing as free assessment. Money is what makes the world go round. A person who tests children, will never do it for free as they themselves have bills and families to pay for.

You can have him seen by a child psychologist. They can be expensive, and your insurance won't cover it. But, they can do an individual eval, and even genius testing. My children were told to get this done - however, when I was told the cost, I said forget it.

It's a shame that your school district doesn't do this. My childrens' school does. My children are in what's called "gifted and talented curriculums" - where they are taught at different speeds than the other children. They also have their own projects to do, mostly in science and math. This is what they do when the other students are still mulling over their schoolwork in class. And, they don't see it as extra work, they see it as fun. This curriculum begins in the 4th grade, although they are placed with teachers and students who are advanced in learning, before they get to this point.

However, all the testing in the world isn't going to help your child in school, if your school has nothing that they can do for him. Test results aren't going to bump him up a grade - strict state laws regarding ages & grades prevent that. Look for schools, private if you can afford it, that specialize in advanced curriculums.

However, in kindergarten - all they really learn is how to share. And basic knowledge of things. They don't do much other things, just make school fun. I would wait to see how he progresses in at least 1st grade. Let him find out what real school is like, and enjoy his first kindergarten year. In kindergarten, is where the assessments of the child begin. And in 1st grade, when they begin spelling and writing stories - is where teachers begin to realize the childrens' learning paths - and begin to pick out the smarter children.

Answer 4

every child is gifted in one way or another. Some in education, some in sports some in ways they relate to other people. Wait until he is in the school system and they should have someone to assess him. If you don't want to wait till then have you talked to the school where he is going , they may recommend someone. If he is gifted how will this change things. Can you send him to a school for the gifted, can he be accelerated at the school he will go to. A lot of gifted children can lack the people skills to relate to other children. Make sure you work on this by getting him into activities with kids his own age. Never let him believe he is better than others, as I said all kids are gifted in their own way, make sure he knows this and looks for the best in people and not judge them on them on their "book smarts"

Answer 5

I live in South Florida. In 2nd grade all children are given an IQ test. From this test it is determined whether your child should have additional psycological testing.

I'm sorry to say that just because your child is exceeding at an early age does not necessarily make him gifted. If you really think he is different than the other children - not just educationally, but seems to have a hard time finding common ground with those that should be his peers - and your school district does not offer testing, make an appointment with an independent psycologist that specializes in testing children.

Fortunately for us, our daughter was tested and put into a self contained program with other children that are on the same level as her and she has thrived in the program as opposed to being bored as she was in K, 1 & 2.

Good luck.

Answer 6

I have been a teacher for twenty years and I can tell you that every child is gifted in their own way and yes our own are extremely gifted. Let me ask you this: Why is it important to have an assessment and a label of being gifted?
Does it really matter? You know your son is smart and you are worried that he will get bored. Challenge him. Take him on trips. Go to the library and find books for him that are at his reading level...five finger rule...if he can't read five words on the page the book is to hard...two to three words on the page...just right.
Teach him to use his sdtrengths to build up his weaknesses.
work on math through reading...or whatever his gift is.
My son was rated at above twelfth grade level in all areas when he was in the seventh grade...........the school gave him the test, I didn't. The test means nothing, maam. And once they get them there is sometimes a lot more stress put on them to perform, etc.
Let your child be a child. Relish in his accomplishments. When something difficult comes along help him. When it seems to easy challenge him. Be proud but don't get hung up on tests.

Answer 7

If you feel that your child is gifted, get in touch with his teacher, the administration, school counselors. Tell them that you'd like your child tested to be potentially identified as gifted.

My daughter was identified as gifted by her second grade teacher. It took a year to get an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) so that she could begin to attend the "gifted" classes that she was supposedly entitled to.

My son, on the other hand, was identified as a pain in the school's backside (and rightly so, mind you). His IEP was put together about a week after the teacher and principal decided that he was "gifted" in his own special way.

I had to fight for and continually bug people about my daughter and her status as "gifted". If you believe that your child should have the attention (a specialized class once or twice a week was what my daughter received), then be prepared to fight for it.

It was worth it, though. Before the classes, my daughter got bored at times. She was a good kid and would sit quietly while the rest of the class woulf finish what she had whipped through in no time, but she was unchallenged. She needed more and the classes helped with that. She also always had plenty of reading material and other things to encourage her to learn at her own pace while at home.

Keep in mind that the time it took to get my daughter officially identified as gifted might have had alot to do with the particular school district that we were in. Hopefully, yours will be more attentive.

Answer 8

I have two children who are gifted, and when it comes to making sure they are getting properly challenged in public school, it's a total craps shoot. I am in constant contact with their teachers to make sure they are further developing their talents. Their little minds are hungry and absorb information quickly and easily, and as soon as they run out of information to process, they get bored and often get into mischief. I have found that getting my own educational materials and making copies and hand delivering them to the teacher works pretty well. So far we have been lucky to have teachers that were receptive to this. If you don't get much cooperation at school, try doing some of the advanced educational activities with him at home before bed. Parenting gifted kids is a lot more work than parenting kids of average intelligence. They can be very hard to keep up with!

Answer 9

I have a child just like this. I hate seeing mine bored, but unless you put him in a school with other gifted kids, it really makes him stick out like a sore thumb. Also, make him feel good about himself, but don't brag about him (especially not in front of him) and don't make him feel like he is better than others. If you have to, require that his teacher jump him up a grade right now. Don't make a big deal about it in front of him though.

Suppliment his boring (yet socially important) school days with music and art and sports lessons. Leave plenty of room for freeplay and friendplay though. If you can and there is a large community, you can join a charter homeschooling group.

Good luck!

Answer 10

Mensa is for people with above average IQs. They give assessments, but there is a minimum age. It's either 5, 6, or 7. Nevertheless, this website will help you. Good luck!
www.us.mensa.org