What if she doesnt make the cut - THEN what do I do with this brilliant little soul?
I'm a parent who hasn't tested my kids due to cost. Local GT psychs have cornered the market where I am and it would likely cost my a few thousand dollars to really test both kids. At this point, I'm pretty sure my 9yo would test into DYS if given the opportunity. We had to pull him out of public school after 1st grade to homeschool. There is an active GT community in our area. So, it is not a big deal to us. DYS can be great socially and it might be a helpful label at some schools. But I don't think it's the only option for very gifted children. If test scores fell into my lap (and they might depending on achievement testing we are required to do for homeschooling), we'd apply. But if not, we're ok!
My kids appear globally gifted and through my own reading and research, I feel like I have a good handle on where we are. I was not tested as a child either (or even IDed GT), so I don't feel a pressing need to have numbers. I have enough achievement data over several years on my oldest to see where he is.
You might want to put off testing until you absolutely need the data. Accuracy at 4 is still widely variable. Especially for kids who don't want to show their stuff for new people (my 6 year old is still like this!). Maybe you do need it now to shoot for early entrance? Only you know for sure, but just know whatever scores you get are a snapshot. It's one piece of data, and you will probably continue to get useful data as your child grows. My oldest hit the ceiling of a GT screener at kindergarten, but now 3 years and several achievement tests later, I have a fuller picture. Good luck!
