Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Advice on what to tell DS4 before he takes IQ test

Hi - My DS, who just turned 4 in January, will be taking the SB5 in a couple of weeks (with an evaluator who is a specialist with gifted/highly gifted). We want to do this so we can know if we should seek early kindergarten, or otherwise. Anyway, I'm not asking about what kinds of questions there will be, I'm asking about how to prepare a kid who is wary of new situations. I am concerned because DS4 will be in a different room for the test, and he hasn't been alone with strangers. Ever! The evaluator gave some basic recommendations, such as "don't tell him it's a game; tell him we're learning more about how his brain works." I've shown him a picture of the evaluator and try to talk to him about it every couple of days. I've given him the bribe of "we'll be in Big City, and we can go eat lunch wherever you want, and go somewhere fun afterwards." But no matter how much I tell him it's not a test at the doctor's, I know he keeps thinking there will be shots (he recently had to have shots and allergy skin pokes).

Also, he had a (very) basic pre-K screening a while ago, and had a lot of fun with the part where they put out an object and asked him to describe it, and stack blocks, and counting etc. I told him the test might be kind of like that pre-k screening stuff, so he should have fun. But he keeps telling me he won't answer any questions.

Sorry this is so long. Any tips? Thank you!

When DS7 was given the WISC-IV and WIAT-II, and all sorts of other stuff last year, the evaluator let me sit in the room but I was not allowed to say anything. I don't think DS, 6 at the time, would have taken all those tests without me there. Will they let you stay? He's only 4...

I don't know if this is the kind of advice you're asking for, but it's the best I've got to give...

Be aware that the SB5 is a very loooong test! Make sure he knows he can (and should) take breaks when he needs them.

My DS6 was utterly tuckered out after the SB5. In fact, when he took the WISC, at the end he said, "That's all? We're done already?"

Big difference!

I had asked about if we could sit in the room, but they said that is not allowed. DS4 will be able to see where we will be before he goes to the other room for testing, so he'll know we are near, but no luck on being in the room.

That's good to know about the length of the test, and breaks. I will tell him that. The SB5 is the test this evaluator prefers, so I didn't really look into other types of tests. Thanks. I think that will help a lot if he knows he can come out and see us on a break.

Dottie - thank you for that link. Very helpful, and on point for my son. It suggests telling your child to answer the questions even if they seem to easy, and not give silly answers. DS4 hates doing something again that he already knows how to do, and he loves to be silly. Also, it says to get the child to answer the questions even if he thinks they're too hard. DS4 also doesn't really like doing something if he thinks it might be too hard, in case he's not right. We've been working on this behavior for awhile - i keep thinking he's too young to be acting like that! So that article is very useful. Thank you.

I'm also glad to hear it's not too boring.

st pauli girl - I sent you a PM (private message).

Well, Dottie, remember DS was not being tested for GT. We were trying to figure out what was going on in school. And watching DS walk around the room, yawn, put his head down on the table and say this is boring, I hate it, etc., it was helpful for me to see it and to say to the evaluator on a break, see, this is what's happening in school, when he's doing homework, etc. Of course, she would have known it anyway, but it was good for me to see it and to see what his teacher was experiencing everyday. We certainly weren't focused on GT at the time.

My DS loves doctor appointments (he loves to pump the doctors for information...) so I told him that he was going to a "brain checkup". I explained that a psychologist is a doctor who studies how people think by asking them questions to see what their answers will be. DS was thrilled with his brain checkup (he took the WPPSI-III when he was 4.5) and has asked when his next one will be

I know some kids hate going to the doctor, so I don't know if this would work for you.

Cathy

When DS was tested at the age of 5 we told him that we wanted him to take a few test to see when he can take special programs like the great astronomy class he just took in one of the museums. It wasn't exactly true, but it made him excited enough and guaranteed his cooperation

We made sure that we made it clear that there would be very easy questions, but that it was likely there would also be questions he wouldn't be able to answer. That it would be perfectly ok not to know a correct answer but that he should try to answer it anyway.

As for break, may be ask the psychologist to give him a break. My son took one for his IQ, but refused one for the achievement test. He was having too much fun, but I think a break would have done him good.

DS was also alone in the room. If it helps you can ask if you could walk your son in the room and spend a few minutes with him there.

Good luck

Cathy - unfortunately, most of DS4's recent doc appointments have been the very unpleasant kind due to his many allergies and recent asthma diagnosis. He still doesn't trust me since he had his skin pokes for allergy testing. (I told him there would be no shots, just pokes. Afterwards he said "mom you lied. Pokes are just as bad as shots.) So it's just bad timing for "testing" right now!

Incidentally, I read somewhere that gifted kids tend to have more allergies. Does that even seem possible? Weird.

But I'm glad to hear your son enjoyed his brain checkup-- more ammunition. I'll tell DS4 that another 4 year old did this and had so much fun he wanted to do it again!

I don't know what you should say... but I can share how we laid it out.

We told then dd5 that she was going to meet with a man (the gender issue we knew would be a hurdle) and he'd ask lots of questions so we could know what kinds of books and games to buy later that week. Due to the perfectionist issue, we emphasized it wasn't important to us what she could answer right just that she focused and tried. If she did that we would be very proud. I did however brainlessly think I was going to be in the room. So, I crossed my fingers when he walked out and rather abruptly said I'm ___, come on in. (but it worked out well). We did not use the word test or doctor.

dd4 (our #2) is going soon. because of her challenging personality... we are being very careful not to imply we are doing anything fun after because I worry she may decide "she is done" before she actually is... figure I'll surprise her afterwards. The easier part is her big sitter thought it was fun and it comes across well to #2 when her sister talks to her about going. Our challenge will be as someone already posted not to do... #1 told #2 they'll play games and do puzzles. So now we have to break the mental image for #2 that his office is filled with toys and traditional princess puzzles :-)

I think the biggest trick for us is to be "all is normal" that day. No special good-byes from daddy and try to keep my tension out and cool in. I'm not stessing the outcome... as I think my posts have eluded to - I'm more concerned if she'll behave so we can get any feedback for counseling and ed decisions.

Hopefully, I can learn from your question and prepare better too.

I saw that in Miraca Gross' book on Exceptionally Gifted Children. BTW, DS has env. allergies and food allergies so I know what you're talking about! DS prefers the blood test to the skin test because it's faster and he doesn't get all itchy.

Wow - first of all i want to say thanks to everyone for all the helpful replies. I have been worrying about this for weeks, trying to come up with good solutions, and all I had to do was hop on this fabulous website to get instant answers! What a great forum.

LMom - i like the advice about special programs. Although DS4 hasn't taken any classes, I can probably weave the Science Museum in somehow (the test will help us find out if you can go to more events at the Science Museum, or some such.) Hmmm, another thought that might get to him - i can say the testing will help us see what other kinds of computer games he might be ready for! That might work.

Your other advice on breaks and going into the room is great, too. Thanks so much!

I was allowed to be in the room when my dd was first tested at four and a half. She was very introverted and even with me in the room, she was hesitant to speak. She ended up not completing the test as she had what we recognize now as a blood sugar issue- she had a donut and cocoa for breakfast, what I considered a "treat" LOL, ended up making her crash 45 minutes into the testing process.

She was tested two years later and did fine without me in the room.

Testing a four year old is tough, even for a veteran administrator. Good luck!

Oh oh. I didn't think of that "i'm done" mentality. Ugh. DS4 does that a lot, even when we're doing something I think is fun ("let's go, NOW!"). Well, I'll make sure he knows nothing fun until the whole thing is done. Rats.

The info on the the perfectionist issue is quite helpful too. Thank you and to everyone for giving concrete examples. I'm feeling like today is my lucky day! (incidentally, i can see that i'm going to have trouble in not becoming addicted to this forum.)

That's funny - DS4 was asking about getting a blood test instead of the skin test (he doesn't mind the blood tests either - he's had those for his dairy allergies). Too bad he needed the more sensitive skin test this time for the env. allergies.

The psychologist recommended bringing lots of healthy snacks, so hopefully we can avoid any blood-sugar issues. I'm just starting to see this problem emerging at home [aargh - the monster is coming - get him something to eat quick!]

I worry about his age too, but if early k entrance is a recommended course of action, we've got to do it now i guess.

I have also read about the connection between allergies/asthma and GT. I don't know if it's true, but both of my DD's have asthma and environmental allergies.

DD9 had skin tests when she was 3 or 4, and she reacted much the same way. She sees that same doctor every 6 months now, and she doesn't like to go becaue she remembers the awful testing experience.

I hope this kind of testing goes much better for you!

LOL. Yeah, that's sure a problem when it comes to this forum I spend way too much time here Hmm, could this explain why this house looks the way it does?

Ha - our house is an absolute diasaster right now! And I definitely spend way too much time here. Maybe we need a 12 step program?

DH says he prefers me sane to having a clean house


ETA: He's seen me when I'm not sane and it wasn't pretty...

I wish my DH would see it this way! He assumes I just play all day with DS4. Well, maybe i do sometimes...

[On a sort of related note, since we're having DS4 tested, we were asked what our myers-briggs results were. I recently pulled out both our M-B tests. Mine (ENTP) indicated I can't be bothered doing completely mundane stuff like cleaning, his (INTP) indicates he cannot stand it if things aren't orderly. I made sure to point out that the report on his personality said INTPs are extremely difficult to be in a relationship with, but that's another matter, eh?]

FWIW, I'm an INTJ, which means I'm cold and business-like. LOL!

DH has never done Myers-Briggs, but I would guess he's an INTJ. We joke that the secret to our marriage is that we leave each other alone. We both need our alone time.

INTJ here. I was relieved when I read the profile. It was so me. Finally a box for me Dh is INTJ too, but not as strong as I. If I could make a guess so is DS5, but it's too early to tell.

LMom and Dottie--So nice to have fellow INTJ's around!

My info says INTPs "are not likely to welcome constant social activity or disorganization in the home."

LOL!

I think that must be why DD6 and I clash so much. She's more of a free spirit type who doesn't like schedules. It's frustrating.

DD9 is like me--a list maker and a schedule follower. DS2 likes order also. He lines up his cars by color when he's playing with them.

INTJ here! I just took an online test to find out

INTJ here too!!! I'll have to look up what all that means again(other than being cold and business like!)

Never heard of it, so just looked it up and found a website that listed famous real and fictional INTJ people, like... Hannibal Lecter! I'm out of here!!!!

1% of population. What are we all doing at this forum? LOL

questions try
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

Where is Kriston today? Skiing?

I found this on the wikipedia : "INTJs are very analytical individuals. Like INTPs, they are more comfortable working alone than with other people, and are not usually as sociable as others, although they are prepared to take the lead if nobody else is up to the task, or they see a major weakness in the current leadership. They tend to be very pragmatic and logical individuals, often with an individualistic bent and a low tolerance for spin or rampant emotionalism. "

Ha! Ha! Ha questions. Sherlock Holmes is on that list too!!!!

That's me!

INFJ - "Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging" ... awww not part of the INTJ club

Other INFJ(ers) include Mother Teresa & MLK >>snort, I am no Mother Teresa. tee hee.<<

Spock=INTJ

Just to clarify...

Now that I think about it, I believe the "cold and business like" descpription referred to my communication style. This was a supplemental part of the Myers-Briggs. In that assessment, I was labeled a TN. So, I'm an INTJ with a TN communication style (direct, business like, to-the-point, etc.).

Thanks, LMom. Took the test:

Your Type is
INTJ

I think I'll become a vegetarian...

I am:




INFJ

In good company with Ann!!

Incog

Just one pesky little letter keeps me out of the club!

Oh barnacles!

Oh, and Jimmy Carter is on my list.



I

I am a vegetarian.

Fred McMurray(my three sons)

also on MY list

OHHHHHH YEAHHHHHHHHH baby!!

There needs to be a 12-step program for this site. I never thought I had an addictive personality before, but I'm reconsidering that opinion. ...should be studying but, alas, I'm reading posts. >>shrug<<

Yes... Finally, objective proof of internet addiction.

I'm with you Ann and 'Neato - INFJ! We've got enough for a club now!

Woo Hoo!!! ...and Wiki says there are only 1.5% of us in the U.S.

Oooo ... we're exotic!

I'm back! You know you're an addict when people not only notice you're missing from the forum, but speculate on where you are with reasonable ideas...



It was an HSing and social afternoon. Not skiing, but good guess, LMom.

And for anyone who had ANY DOUBTS, I am an INTJ, too!

OMG!!! How weird!

It's SOOOO me, Dottie! Like, in ways that I almost can't believe, that's me!

LOL Dottie!!!!

Also, Stephen Hawking is an INTJ. There has been so much talk of him here lately, just thought I'd share.

Kriston - I figured you were in the club.

Do you know what your DH's are? ...just made mine take the test. He's an ISTJ.

LOL! That sounds like a great wedding, Dottie!

Or is that cold of me?

Oh, and Questions, on my list of good career matches is "corporate lawyer." I thought you'd appreciate that. Nowhere on the list is "SAHM HSing her child while mostly not writing a novel." Huh...Go figure...

I also like that one description of the INTJ personality calls us "Masterminds."

Yup, that's me. I require those around me to call me by that title, too. I wonder how they knew?

LOL!!! Mastermind f/k/a Kriston

I just had my DS10 take the test. He is an ESFP. I figured as much!!!

Opposites attract, eh, EandCMom?

And I knew YOU wouldn't be surprised at my profile! It's a big "no, duh?" isn't it? ROFL!

I laughed loudly when I read this, Dottie. I'm absolutely using this, too. Should I try it out on my rampantly emotional DS3, or on other assorted relatives who regularly demonstrate rampant emotionalism?

Ah, the mind boggles! <grin>

BTW, I also like that Hannibal (the leader) and Hannibal (the Lecter) are both INTJs.

Does the personality profile come with the name, d'ya think?

Anyone here named Hannibal IRL? We could test my theory--in a very pragmatic, sensible way, naturally...

Think I can post any more in a row without anyone between? I may be going for a record here...

Nope. I messed up your record

INTP here, although the P/J mark were barely tipped toward the P. INT was strongly identified.

I'm not surprised about all the INTP/J marks here. We analyse, like to define & investigate intriguing problems. And it's nice to congregate with people who 'get' what we're talking about.

sheesh. i mention a little thing about myers-briggs, only to find there's some sort of club forming WITHOUT ME! Where oh where are the other ENTPs?

Introverted Sensing Thinking Judging (ISTJ). "The ISTJ's word is as good as gold, and they honor their commitments faithfully. Consequently, they take their vows very seriously, and once they have said "I do", that means they are bound to the relationship until "death do us apart" or otherwise." >>My thought was that he better take his vows seriously. ;)<<

We cheerfully accept all kinds here! Just don't start EMOTING or anything, 'kay?

We don't wanna get any of that rampant emotionalism anywhere near us!

Give me your best shot, Dottie:

But I FEEL so EMOTIONAL about EVERYTHING today!
Oh, woe and misery! It's so HARD to be me!




(How was that?)

I am thinking Grinity needs to add a new line to her Cafe Press inventory. Shirts, cups, etc with "stop that rampant emotionalism"

It's so nice to find friends!!

Too bad, Dottie. I was looking forward to experiencing life from a whole new vantage point!

<grin>

And it is nice that we're all laughing about this together. Good fun!

What does the j in judging mean? That was the one that was "distinctly" for me. Doesn't sound good. Or is it lawyer is to judge as doctor is to surgeon?

I never got Data, actually. He wanted emotions. That just seemed weird to me.

Now Spock, that was a man with whom I could identify!

(And I know it seems like I must be kidding, but I'm actually not. I'm that far gone! In the Kirk/Bones/Spock triumverate, I always thought Spock was clearly right and not until I took a psych class could I even begin to understand how anyone could think otherwise.)

No classification is better or worse than any other, questions. Fear not!

Here's what Wikipedia says, FWIW:


Does that help at all?

Thanks for the explanation. Yes, logical. That's definitely my thing.

And having matters settled fits nicely for you, too, methinks. Yes?

Ps - why would anyone want to keep matters open? LOL!

That's what I say, too, Spock...er, um...I mean questions...

Per Wiki

"An insulted INTP, however, has a tendency to unveil their full mastery of logical intuition. Many previously secure, confident people have been left crushed by an INTP's sudden and piercingly accurate criticism."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Well-played, Ann!



I think we're all just happy to feel that we finally make sense in some fashion.

<in my best Sally Field imitation>

"You get me! You really get me!"

:p

LOL kcab!!! (no translation necessary) :-)

Kriston - I'm with you. It's so nice to find people who know where you are coming from. (and I could hear Sally Field, so nice imitation!)

This also amused me...

"INTJ: The outside contractor

The INTJ's combination of analyticial problem-solving skills...make him ideal for the job of hatchet man....

COMPATIBILITY: Silly person, INTJs don't have relationships! They may, however build their own friends."

Thanks! You should hear what my Jack Nicholson typing sounds like. Man, it's dead on!

<snicker>

LOL!

I think I'll stick with "Mastermind," though. It sounds more impressive than "Hatchet Man"!

I'm not really too concerned that you're all ganging up. ENTPs' "good humor and optimistic outlook tend to be contagious, and people seek out their company." Also, we are "usually easy-going, seldom critical or nagging."

I'll try not to do much emoting.

With all of us robots and Vulcans here, we could use some good cheer! Please stay close!

Thanks! Say, i just found the Wiki site with the famous ENTPs. When I describe myself to people, now I guess I can say "I'm just like Walt Disney, or Thomas Edison!" I'll probably not mention that i'm like Weird Al...

What?!? Weird Al ROCKS!

"Eat It"? "Amish Paradise"? "My Bologna"?

GENIUS!

Clever you are.

Your Type is
ENFJ


I am a minority here in these forums !!!!

Help, anyone else?

Ok, I can't wait to read this thread in full, but for now all I can do is say - Oh yes, I'm an ENTP, with T/F being quite near the middle, the rest of the scores being about as extreame as one could imagine. I totally agree that only open questions are alive. My DH is an ISFJ, with his SFJ being somewhat near the border.

Lately I've been wishing for a more nuanced designations. I for example am Highly F and Highly T. A person might be near the middle because there aren't much N or S. Even with my 'super P' I'm developing a nice strong J side, thanks to Flylady. I mean, my J is probably stronger than most 60% of the J's out there, as I'm learning to take some pleasure/pride in task completion.

Well, not sure if that make any sense. I have read that the idea is that all of us are developing all our qualities throughout our lives, but that we will always have our 'natural' tendencies.

((shrug))
grinity

I'm solidly in the INT camps, with J being closer to the middle.

Maybe this is why I can't ever seem to get ALL the laundry done, folded and put away?

Oh my, can I identify with that! I'm solid INT, my J/P just tips in favor of P.

I missed a lot yesterday, didn't I? I took the test (thanks for the link) because I couldn't recall what sort I ended up as last time. I fluctuate every time I take one of these tests, BTW, do you folks all stay the same? I was a INFJ for a minute until I saw a remark that I missed completing one question. I fixed that and turned into an ENFJ. I have always flipped and flopped on the in/ex border, so it's no surprise that I changed with just one more data point. My I and F are WAY up there though, and my judging is a wimpy 11%. So was it Isa who said she is ENFJ? You've got company...


Now I'll have to see who is on the wiki list...

Bob Saget and Oprah?

At least now I understand why I get so upset by things that just roll off other people's backs. I can't help it, I am all about feeeeelings, woah woah woah feeeelings...

I am strong J, but I really needed FlyLady to get my act together when DS3 was born (I was working p/t from home at that time). I was the type who had to do either everything or nothing. The idea of 15 minutes at a time and routine saved me. I could finish all the work related things, but the house was a mess. BTW Laundry got always done, but the dishes ...

DH is INTJ with very weak J. He doesn't mind mess at all where I am in so much better mood when the house is clean.

That said, I need to go and clean up the house. NOW.

Sorry i created I chatroom. I've never been on any sort of online discussion board before, so that's my excuse. But since the psychologists seem to think it's helpful in dealing with your gifted kids/family to know what everyone is, it's not really completely unrelated to gifted issues, is it? [Also, i am very pleased that i got tons of information related to the actual topic before M-B mania took over!]

And I'm an INFP with great masking / coping skills so that I can go into the world if I have to and I can EXPLAIN analytically even if I get there intuitively. See I'm faking it here, too!
Aline

Ok I am strongly J, barely T (it was a 1) and moderate on the I and low on the N. Lorel, mine has changed too when I take it. I've been an INFJ before (as the 1 on the T shows).

So maybe I can be in 2 clubs. ann, aline and incog can I join your club too???? Although I think we need to have someone other than incog take up the dues. I'm not sure what happened to mine I sent her for the other club.........

Please, don't apologize! It's been fun for us!!! (Or we wouldn't have posted TWELVE PAGES in a little more than a day! Yowsa!)

Truthfully, we should probably apologize to you for hijacking your thread so completely.

To our credit, we are helpful before we hijack a thread. Once we've given help, though, all subjects are pretty much fair game: Hannibal Lecter, Weird Al, Bob Saget (Bob Saget? Really?), and Flylady.

We are a strange and interesting bunch, aren't we?