Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment Testing for Homeschooler?

Hello! I'm looking into the DYS program for my six year old son. I used to think I didn't need to get him tested because we homeschooled, but I think DYS would be a good help for us. Plus, lately I've wondered if he has processing issues or is just acting his age; it seems like 95% of what we say to him goes in one ear and out the other. Maybe I should get his hearing tested too, lol.. actually maybe I should.

We are low income, and he is on CHIP (texas state health insurance program). Does anyone know if insurance like this will cover testing? How to go about it? What test to get? I'm so lost and no one in my area seems to deal with this kind of thing.. I get a lot of folks wondering why I'm considering testing.

He is almost certainly gifted: in his homeschool curriculum he is in 5th grade math, 3rd grade english, studying physics designed for grades 4-6, reads at middle school level, etc. He is the #8 top USCF chess player in the US for his age. I don't know how gifted he is, but I'm starting to think it'd be good to know.

Advise?

I believe you can request he be tested through your local ISD, even though you homeschool.

If you want to go through CHIP, you'd probably need to couch in terms of a behavior problem in order to get testing covered. I'd call your regular pediatrician/doctor and ask if they can refer you to any Psychologists in the area..

Alternatively, you could go through the Psych dept at UNT and have him tested there.

Our university psychology department tests on a sliding scale and then also gave us a discount on top of that for filling out extra questionnaires as part of a gifted research study. It was quite the bargain.

anyone else?

I am guessing insurance does NOT cover testing, but you can certainly give them a quick call.

You could try the portfolio route for DYS, and look into testing if you don't succeed.

You could also check with you local public school about what they can do for you if you enrolled him would they test him and when.

Good luck :-)

Testing for giftedness won't be covered by insurance (more so with CHIP) but if your psychologist do the testing as part of comprehensive test to rule out ADHD, it would cover.

It's my understanding you're legally entitled to free testing through the public schools under federal law. You may have to put such a request in writing and may have to go through the special needs department. In some states, homeschoolers are legally entitled to annual testing too.

With our local public school system, I've managed to request having the Woodcock Johnson III Academic Achievement test be administered to my 2e/pg ds8. DYS accepts this test; of course, you'll need to get a qualifying score for DYS. But at least you won't have to shell out money for the test if the public school administers it.

WJ-III isn't an IQ test, but it will give you information on what level your child is reading, writing, and doing math - provided he cooperates and works to his true ability.

My public school system was willing to test my son when he was 5.5 yrs old and still in kindergarten at a private gifted school. I said that I was considering the public school (no, not really, but didn't say that) but wanted him tested first to think about what school I would place him in (we have school choice here).

FYI - DYS requires ONE qualifying score AND a portfolio. I submitted ds's portfolio in June and DYS accepted them. However, ds blew off the WJ-III test from the public schools (was using his fingers to subtract) and therefore didn't get a qualifying score and didn't get accepted as a result.

Wj111 achievement isn't an IQ test wj111 cognitive is.

Regardless, DYS accepts both WJ academic achievement and WJ cognitive. It's more likely a public school will administer the WJ-III academic achievement test rather than the cognitive (IQ) one. Both tests will give you data and information on your child.

WJ cognitive is an IQ test and will give you more information on processing speed; the WJ academic achievement will give you information on the reading, writing, and math levels.

If you're public school system doesn't have the WJ academic achievement test, try to see if they have one of the other ones listed on the DYS criteria page - http://www.davidsongifted.org/young...holars___Qualification_Criteria_384.aspx

Not sure where in Tx you are but U Houston Clear Lake does have a testing service staffed by grad students with sliding scale fees.