Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy New Here?

Hi, I'm new and looking forward to posting here. I just registered this morning. I found this forum while looking up info for gifted kids on the internet.

My issues are just getting started. I have a very bright 9 yo. She has not been officially identified as gifted. Both my husband and I are very smart and she always just seemed normal to us. Her school achievement tests from 2nd grade were both very high 99% (math on ISAT (Illinois) verbal on OLSAT) and then oddly lower 70% (math on OLSAT, verbal on ISAT).

She was never identified to even be tested for her schools gifted program. She did test into accelerated math, though. When the kids tested this year for the gifted program, she came home in tears saying "All of my friends have tested and I know I'm just as smart, why can't I?" I called her teacher and she said that when the ISAT scores come out from my daughter's 3rd grade testing (Illinois was very late!), they would make a determination. Well, the test scores were all 99th percentile. She just tested for the gifted program yesterday and now we're waiting.

So now I kind of feel like I failed her. Reading all of the information on gifted kids makes me realize she must be gifted. I missed so much. She had almost all of the toddler milestones. She can't stand to wear anything even slightly uncomfortable, all tags must be cut out. She reads voraciously, collects and catagorizes everything. Any unfairness with friends or worldwide is a cause for tears and activism.

I'm currently looking for resources, summer programs, etc. I'm considering having her do out of level testing next year.

I'm so pleased this forum is here. Thanks.