We suspect our 12yo may have some language-related issues as she does have trouble getting her thoughts out verbally. This is what really perplexed us about the results, which showed her as being strongest in verbal ability - we expected this index to bring her overall IQ down.[/quote[
blueskies, fwiw, my ds12 is EG and he's ceilinged out on portions of the VCI on the WISC (verbal) but... he also has a diagnosed expressive language disorder and it's impact is directly in "getting his thoughts out". Ability tests like the WISC as well as achievement tests like the WIAT or WJ-III Tests of Achievement are made up of short subtests that test a very specific set of skills - difficulty with organizing your thoughts and communicating them really isn't truly tested on these types of tests (you may see impacts on the achievement tests, but I can't think of any area of IQ test that was impacted by this for my ds).
[quote=blueskies]Also, she doesn't go to school, so hasn't been labelled "gifted" by a school on the basis of her verbal ability alone. It was purely our observation based on her p recocious milestones, her intense curiosity and attention span.
I also do not put a ton of weight on the descriptions of early signs of giftedness - I have three levels of IQs among my kids (all have been tested, the older two tested more than once)... I feel confident that the testing results we have is relatively accurate and matches their intellectual abilities, but they were *all three* intensely curious and had many of the other characteristics that are often included in gifted characteristics lists. My latest reader was my EG ds.
I'm not saying that your dd isn't gifted; but if she is or isn't really isn't what the main issue is here - the issue (I think) is you want to qualify her for a program you think she would fit into easily and would enjoy. One way to get in was IQ testing; she didn't meet the bar to get in that way. You mentioned that if she was in school, she could get in via regular state testing (which, btw, is probably imo the *least* "gifted" type of test out there, unless it's truly ahead of grade level... but most state achievement testing only covers the state-mandated curriculum). Anyway, as a homeschool parent, you *should* be able to have your dd participate in state testing (at least you would be able to in my state). There also wouldn't be any cost associated with it here.
Another option that is most likely available is to request gifted testing through your school district (which here you can do, even if you are homeschooling). My only caveat on this is - she may test in the same range she tested in previously, and then that will be a part of her school district record.
Good luck - I hope you are able to get your dd enrolled in the program!
polarbear
