Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment finding a place to test

What is the best way to contact Dr. Tandra Wood? I have her email, but I'm not sure of a contact number. Thank you!

Hi!

I am in need of some information. My daughter is in first grade, but reading at above 5th grade level. She is above average in math. Her school was interested in advancing her by one grade. I was thinking to make a better decision I should have her tested. Is this necessary? If so what tests are best?

I believe the psychologist you go to would give you a better idea into which test would be given. If you're in the dfw area, Dr. Tandra Wood I hear is very good to go to. You may want to look into your school system and see if they have regular testing for giftedness in students or if they can refer you to a clinic that does do testing for that. Public schools are supposed to test for giftedness for free, however, I personally have read enough up on it and have realized that school testings are not as accurate ~going to a private testing place is the best option.

I am always more comfortable with grade skips when IQ scores are available and high, but I do know of kids who have been skipped without having IQ tested. Is the school using the Iowa Acceleration Scale (IAS) to evaluate her for a grade skip or just suggesting it based on achievement? I'd at least want them to fill out the IAS. The newest version of it is willing to accept group ability test scores instead of IQ scores (probably due to cost considerations as group tests are much cheaper to do and don't require a psychologist to administer).

Other factors I'd consider would be:

Age (is she older or younger for grade?)
Her interest in skipping
Family history (do you have a history of giftedness/do you have good reason to think that she'll continue to outpace her grade peers and need more than she will get if you don't accelerate?)

FWIW, we did skip one of our children who was already very young for grade, so I certainly wouldn't rule out a skip if she's on the younger end. It's just one thing to think about especially if you don't have a lot of experience with her being with older kids to know how she'll fit with them.

KG3,

I would call and leave Dr. Wood a message. I left a voicemail and she called me back in 20 minutes. Dr. Wood gave a lot more insight over the phone pertaining to DD7 than via email. She will communicate via email once you want to set up a date. Plus if you talk to her over the phone you will get a better feel how she is compared to email. I have posted her contact information on prior post under the "Regions" topic. Also, you can google her name and it will pull up her info at UNT.

Having my son tested with Dr. Wood in March. So glad to hear others have had a good experience with her. I'm really looking forward to it as well.

If the school is ready to skip now I suggest you accept the skip immediately and also persue an IQ + achievement test as well. The school may be wiilling to do the testing for free. With kids who are so far outside the norm one has to try things and see how things work out. I would still advise to get the testing to see what it says. The testing may indicate for example that a single skip is unlikely to be enough even though it is a nescessary first step.

The key to consider in my perspective is to try and determine how unusual she is relative to her local school. How many other kids in her class are reading or mathing at her level? How many other kids in the next grade up meet or surpass her? How many other kids in the grade 2 years up are doing it? School works when a child is 'in good company' at the top of her grade level. Just like I might need a size 10 pants at one store but a size 6 at another store, I don't care about the number on the classroom door, I care about the top bunch of kids inside the classroom. A great teacher can also be a great asset but in general teachers teach to the level that the students are at. Yes it is true that rate of learning can be a problem but one has to start somewhere.

Best wishes
Grinity