Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Should we apply?

My ds is 7 and has been recently tested by his school. They were looking for learning disabilies, but only found a fine motor delay. In looking at his scores and the requirements for DYS, I realized he meets the minimum requirements. But he just meets them.
- They say he has to score 145+ on Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Reasoning or Full Scale, and he does but only on Perceptual Reasoning (145).
- They say he has to score 145+ on Broad Reading, Broad Math, Broad Written Language or Total Achievement, and he does but only on Broad Math (145).

If we applied, are they likely to just let him in or will they ask for more? I'm sure the only way to really know is to apply, but what do you think? Thanks.

You have nothing to lose! Applying is free. We applied with barely there scores and they have asked us for portfolio items (which I haven't gotten around to sending yet.)

I say, "Go for it!"

I would apply and see what they have to say. You may consider including a few samples of his work as well.

I am glad you got the right numbers. I think it must be quite difficult to end up with 144 and wonder if on a better day he might have just made it.

I agree. The worst they can say is, "no," and chances are more likely that they'll either say "yes" or "we need more info."

All you lose by trying is the time it takes to fill out the application. (Not that that's nothing! It's one honking big form!)

A word of advice that helped me as we went through the process: remember as you fill out the form that your stories should demonstrate not only that your child is GT, but that he is HG+ and not "merely" MG. Try to choose those stories which illustrate that your child is operating 3+ years above grade level.

And best wishes to your application!

Give it a try - the part where you ask for letters of reccomendation has made a big difference in people's lives even when they didn't get in.

Is there any particular service YSP offers that you think would be useful?

Grinity

We got the WISC and WJ scores on Monday, so I need to let the dust settle first. I have at least one more battle to fight before I can even think about DYS. I came across the criteria when I was looking for some info about his scores. I'm trying to get ds a 504, and I hope that will be settled this coming week.

I was poking around the Internet some more, and I saw that DYS is for "Profoundly Gifted" children. If my ds meets the criteria, does that make him PG? Based on Ruf's levels, I'd put him around a 4. I don't remember all the details of when he did various things.

I don't even like to use the word "gifted" out loud, but it keeps coming up. I had never used it with ds, but it's hard to keep him in the dark when it's in his school's name.

I think you should definitely apply. You have nothing to lose except the time it takes to fill out the application and the stamp.

Tell us more about your son. It sounds like you were surprised with his scores. Is his school meeting his needs?

ETA: I just read more about your son on the other forum. Hopefully the school meeting with an OT present will help you meet his needs.

I'm not really surprised at his scores, just surprised that they're high enough for DYS. Maybe I'm saying I'm surprised DYS has such low standards? No, that's not right either.

I can see that he's smart, but there's so much that's asynchronous. I guess I just thought the weaknesses canceled out some of the intelligence.

Ahem...Denial, denial, denial!

I'm just sayin'...