Gifted Issues Discussion homepage

DS3 shows some signs of giftedness (e.g. doing 60-piece by 2, knows over 200+ sign words, masters the K curriculum, etc.)

Because of the local school cutoff, we decide to have him tested at a local university.

Here are some of his scores:

• His FSIQ using WPSII-III is 94 with highest score in object assembly (135).
• His verbal IQ using SB-5 is 83 with highest score in quantitative reasoning (125).
• His Bracken School Readiness Assessment (BSRA) is 125 (equivalent of a 5 year old).

The tester mentioned some of his answers did not count because he failed to prove detailed answers and/or he was disinterested.

From these scores, it’s clear that he is in the low range of average.

On the other hand, his 4yo preschool teacher said he is very smart (whatever that means). He is also being a class clown or causing mischief at school, which is his usual behavior when he is bored.

I don’t want to be “that” mom; on the other hand, I know DS ability is above “low range of average.” With that type of score, any kinds of early K would be unlikely.

Any advices for this confusing mom?

Thanks

There you have it. I doubt it's even valid since your DS was clearly not very cooperative. Unfortunately, it doesn't tell you much which is useful. Other than the need to retest with someone who can elicit better cooperation, of course!

Three is pretty young to try to get an accurate IQ. Unless you're needing the IQ for an application to a special program or suspect a developmental delay or learning disability , I'd leave it alone and just support his learning and exploring and developing.

OK, you aren't going to like this, but I think it may need to be said... I am not sure why it is so, but it's clear that you are very invested in your child being gifted (remember, you turned up here asking whether he was gifted at 8mo) and honestly, it's never been really clear to me why you think he is.

He may be, but why not just relax and see how life goes? Unless I've missed something, which is possible, nothing you've said here really indicates that he isn't going to be well served by normal educational routes. Which is good!

So yeah, I think you may well be that mom - the one who would really be happier and her whole family better off if she could stop thinking so much about giftedness and enjoy her lovely children more.

Getting accurate IQ test results with little kids is known to be challenging. Little kids do what they want to do and react in ways that even older kids don't. They might shut down because they don't like the tester's voice or clothes. Maybe they start getting scared. Or maybe those blocks over there are more interesting. Or: Oh look! I see a bunny outside the window! I wonder if he's looking for carrots. I don't like that question. And I don't feel like doing this stuff. "Miss tester lady, do you have any carrots?"

That said, what are your motivations for testing a three-year-old? I imagine that early entrance criteria are based on testing at school to see if a child has the skills required for kindergarten entrance. Personally, if you believe he needs early entrance to K, I'd talk to the schools to find out what their criteria are. Are you sure the local schools even allow early entrance to K? Many don't. Finally, is this something your son wants or needs? Would he be harmed by NOT going to K early? There wasn't a lot of information in your OP, so it's hard to understand what's going on.

Personally, I agree with the suggestions to support his development and ensuring that what you do is for him, not you. For example, if you do academic-type activities are they largely requested by him, or are you the main driver?

I think 3 is too early to test or get an accurate number.

I agree with previous posters. IQ testing so young is known to be inaccurate and is generally unnecessary, and I think you should relax a bit.

There must be history here I haven't seen. My reading of her post is that her child falls close to the age cutoff for school, and since he's bored and therefore behaving badly in preschool they did some testing.

OP, if he's three, don't you have another year before you need to apply to the school? Even another six months would make a difference to compliance, but since you've already given him both the SB and the WPPSI, it will have to be a year before you retest.

^ I looked back to her first posts and realized I'm also probably "THAT mom". I think I showed up here by the time DD was 7 months. lol

Oh Well.

if your child was walking, reading and doing basic math computations at 7 months, why not? lol