Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment Testing on the horizon...

Thank you NikiHarp!! It is a huge expense... that's a part of my anxiety about it. DS is very intense (I know I'm preaching to the choir here on that one) and he can either be really "on" or VERY "off" I know I have zero control over it, but I just cross all my digits that he's "on" for her.

I'm also nervous about finding out where he falls on the gifted spectrum. We've known he's gifted for a long time but this makes it all "real" if that makes sense, and I feel like I have few choices in this state re: gifted ed. The psych has already mentioned that I think about homeschooling if not this coming school year then at some point in the future. Again, I know I have no control over his scores, etc., but the psych was talking to me about how, generally speaking, the higher one is on the spectrum, the more socially ostracized one may feel. I already feel like he can't relate to his peers when they are building a tower with blocks and he's trying to construct a portcullis. They look at him like he has three heads.

Testing for us was a fantastic experience as well. Our DS can be a , uh, challenge shall we say. He doesn't like new experiences, doesn't like new people and can often be a royal PITA when he's put in those types of situations. I often walk out of doctor/dentist/optometrist/orthodontist/etc offices feeling judged, embarrassed and defeated. She actually "got him" and he quickly warmed up to her.

It was also great for us to finally be able to talk about our amazing guy without judgement. As parents we often second guessed ourselves and thought "he's smart, but not THAT smart". It was an eyeopening experience to have it confirmed and in black and white. It was also a relief to finally understand his challenges (we have to retest when he's older but he's probably LD). It was also a huge relief to DS to find out that he wasn't "stupid" - for him, the obvious conclusion as to why he was having a hard time with writing while everyone else at school wasn't.

It wasn't all perfect (we will eventually retest because his scores were very scattered) but she did the best that could have been hoped for at the time. The school has been great with the LD side of things (even with the report saying it was probably LD) they quickly had an IEP in place and were fantastic on that side. For gifted they haven't done a thing but that's a whole separate battle.

Good luck!

Knowledge = power.

Chay... yes! I have the same experience leaving doctor appointments. And first soccer games. And first gymnastics session. And first art class. After the "first" he's generally okay but that first time when it's new to him, goodness! I guess the benefit in this instance is, we've told the psych about this so she knows. And she has a wealth of background information on him at this point, so hopefully she can draw him in.

I do think having it in black and white will be a relief as much as it may also be overwhelming. I feel like I need data for the school to listen. He doesn't always present himself well (see first paragraph- ha!), and he's only in school for half a day at this point, so I do not think the school thinks he is gifted or even close to it. It will be nice to be heard if/when we share scores with the school.

Our first orthodontist visit was an hour of trying to convince him to smile for a simple picture. They never managed to get a word other than "no" out of him or even get eye contact never mind a glimpse of his teeth. When we left the lady that was working with us and the receptionist both gave me a hug and a sangria recipe from a local restaurant (at 10am) because I "looked like I needed it". We went out for DQ Blizzards right before supper when he finally got through a hair cut without a hissy fit at age 7. I'm going to need therapy soon

I understand the anxiety and the on/off and I'm assuming most psychologists that have worked with a variety of gifted kids will also. Sending positive vibes.

Chay... our kids sound like kindred spirits. I have given up on haircuts and buzz him at home