Is additional testing criteria necessary? After 3 SDs, entrance to DYS, what more is needed or what more can be gained? Do you tell your kids their IQs? I haven't because I don't want it to cause trouble between siblings (and maybe also because I'm not sure what it means anyway other than potential ability). If you're lazy with a really high IQ, you might not be as successful or high achieving as if you're hardworking with a moderate IQ. My kids know they're 3 SDs because that's qualification to PEGS program at school, but beyond that I haven't disclosed. And what does it mean for parents?
I ask this in case I should be doing further evaluation to benefit my kiddos.
I don't think an IQ score is often really useful for a kid to have. Although (suprise, suprise) I can think of a few exceptions.
1) My Aunt reports telling in the college planning years, her baby girl , who followed two extroverted competitive boys, her IQ test, because my cousin (wrongly) assumed that they were 'so much smarter' than she.
2) I explained the bell curve and the LOG difference when my son first attended his first 'gifted summer program' at age 8. He was convinsed that there was something wrong with him because he didn't fit in with the other boys at his school, so I wanted him to be pre-warned that he might not really fit in here either, but NOT because there was something wrong with him. It turned out that he was on the younger end of the age groups and he had a wonderful time, but given the same uncertainty, I would do it again!
OTOH - After 3SD, I don't think there is an test in the world that can say the difference in innate ability between any two children. I don't even think it makes sense to talk about who is 'smarter.' From that point on tests can measure the Achievment of various children at various ages under specific circumstances, and that can help in educational planning or advocacy with school. If all is well at school (The Grinity Four Test: Having fun, Having friends, Learning Something, Challenged a fair amount of the time)then leave well enough alone and put your energy into something else.
Example: You've heard story after story about my DS11 and Dotties DS8. Which kid is smarter? See the problem? If anything, I would guess that I think DS-Dottie is smarter and that Dottie would say that DS-Grinity is smarter. Neither boy has enough sense to come in out of the rain so what is the point here? ((Humor Alert))
I would say that MG kids have a better chance of success in adult life because they are likely to be in educational settings where they learn how to learn and get lots of practice with their soical skills. PG kids can be lazy 'by nature' or becuase of Enforced Underachievment if unaccomidated in school. I don't remember if I know what the PEGS program at school is, but it sounds wonderful. How cool that all the kids you have met the criteria and you can dodge that whole discussion!
Smiles,
Grinity