Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment what is DYS- how is it helpful-means why bother

These are great questions, Yannam. I have seen very good results from the Iowa Acceleration Scale people, and you can read more about this on http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/acceleration.htm. There will be exceptions for the most part - I remember a pie chart saying 98% of candidates are happy with acceleration (or something to this effect), which implies a 2% failure rate.

Personally, it beats me because my son is still young and college is far from my mind. But what I do know is that most of our kids con't fit into the school system even at an early age, and it's something that we try to deal with now. Poor learning/stimulation in the early years can lead to a rapid buildup of bad habits that are hard to get rid of later (my son daydreams the whole day in class - I can't see how that will help him develop learning habits for when he really does need them later on).

Maybe the trick is to focus on what your child needs for now and to use whatever IQ results you have to get her the services she requires. I know you have an issue regarding getting another test - no easy answers here. In our case, I just want to do what we can now in response to my son's clamouring and hope that the future will fall into place as we go along.

There are also ways to deaccelerate once a child hits a level of challenge that is more appropriate. Taking 5 years in high school rather than going on to college early, for example. Or taking a gap year to travel, do volunteer work or to start a small business. I have heard of a number of kids who took a year of high school in a study abroad program, and the foreign language made the work significantly more challenging for them.

These sorts of possibilities don't work for all accelerated kids, of course. Some kids just need college-level work very early. But I think it's smart to consider all the options, and not to assume that you and your child are trapped on a treadmill that allows you no latitude. There is room to do things differently if you look for it. Creative thinking is helpful!

Versus the long term problems of sitting in classes which are completely too low level, bore you to tears, surround you with children who are not your peers and leave you with little motivation to go to school?

I have two children who have both been grade level accelerated, and one of them subject level accelerated by 3 years. Both will go to college one year sooner, but otherwise are finally challenged and enjoy school. It's been all positive.

I strongly suggest you read A Nation Deceived. It's free to download: http://www.accelerationinstitute.org/Nation_Deceived/

also you should spend a minute on this page:

http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/acceleration.htm

Hi Yannam. My dd has been a DYS for only several months and we have already used many of the resources and benefits that come from it. We recently had a phone consultation with a renowned expert for example. IT helped guide us with some challenges we are having.

One of the best things is that you can ask those questions you posed to both your FC (family consultant) and tap on the previous experiences of many families who have been there, done that.