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

We are having DS6 tested in two weeks by a psych recommended on the Hoagies site. We are testing to learn more about his strengths and weaknesses, to gauge whether he is 2e (questions re: ADHD, SPD, anxiety), and to assist with planning next year. There is no gifted ed in our state and, while we are in a top performing district, he really has not learned anything (academically) this school year (half day K). We'd like him to be more engaged/challenged next year. We fear the school views him as an anxious kid who reads extremely well and as a kid who is prone to silly behavior in school. Honestly, I think he drives his teacher crazy with questions and silly behavior but I don't think his teacher, or anyone else in the school, has a clue as to how smart he is, and how quickly he masters information given to him. I've tried to communicate this with them without seeming elitist and I just do not feel heard.

I'm posting because now that the testing is scheduled, I'm sort of nervous about it. My husband and I really feel like we needed to test to figure him out and support him as we move forward, but at the same time I am worried about the label... that his score will follow him forever in the school setting. I'm worried about all of the advocating we will need to do as we move forward in a system that doesn't value this type of learner. Also, even though I truly know in my gut that this kid is gifted, part of me is worried that his scores won't show it. And testing isn't cheap.

Sorry for the stream of consciousness ramblings but I am really starting to feel the divide between myself and my friends with kids this age. I'm afraid sharing my concerns about DS6 comes off as bragging to friends who have kids struggling to read. Sad that this is a taboo subject! I digress...

Are you concerned that the scores will be low due to any LDs? One thing I learned from the old reports and papers that my parents sent me recently from my school years was that my scores increased over time on the WISC-R (predecessor to the current one used today) - and the one full report I found, the tester had clearly stated that the scores she felt was not a true indicator of my full potential due to my disability not discovered until pre-K (that affected my language acquisition) and that the gaps were exposed by the subtests but she implied that she felt those low scores would increase in the future. Sure enough, my later testing shows how on target she was, with a big jump in the subtests that I was super weak earlier.

A good tester should be able to pick up if the scores will be a good indication of where he is or if they are just minimal due to other issues. It should not change who your DC is, but hopefully give you indications of any LDs or ammunition to use for advocating for your DS.

In addition to the above post, trust your gut. Mothers know. It is scary, before you know for sure. I remember being scared (esp because my husband wasn't really onboard).

The information and assistance we have received from the tester has been invaluable.

Hope your ds is himself and the tester gets him.

Keep us posted!

Polarbear talks brilliantly about "labels" in this thread:
http://giftedissues.davidsongifted.org/BB/ubbthreads.php/topics/189614/2.html

Thank you all.

I love Polar Bear's post. I need to adjust my definition of a label

Notnafnaf, I'm not worried that it will be lower due to 2e, although certainly that is a possibility too. My DS is a perfectionist and will often refuse to try novel tasks until he has practiced them (mastered them) in private. I've warned the psych about this so she is aware. She seems wonderful so if they click, I'm sure he will be fine at least in the am. He tends to crash after lunch- he just needs to hole up in his room with a book to refuel or he's a bit if a disaster. So I'm concerned he will bomb the achievement testing in the afternoon. Again, I've warned the psych but what can you do? It's a long day for a 6yo, let alone an intense, moody little person

I can't wait until testing is over! I can tell this will be quite a journey and I'm thankful to have this forum. I've learned a great deal reading through posts.

I was nervous too! I'm sure everyone is. But it all turned out to be interesting and helpful. DD's testing was divided over 2 days, a week apart, can you request similar?
And we have the opposite problem with the "number" and the "label" following DD through school - every year, they seem to fall into a black hole and no one has any idea …

Thanks AvoCado. We are doing it in one day due to travel but I wish it was spread out!

I think the Hoagie's list is GREAT. Remember, most of the testers on that list work a great deal with gifted kids and they KNOW that they need to put the kids at ease.

polarbear is a GREAT source of wisdom!

I also agree with Portia - that is the best part about private testing. It is YOUR data to use as you wish to help your DS reach his potential.

Hugs and wishing you and your DS all of the best!

KTPie, you are not alone! We just finished testing with DS7 and I was very anxious about the whole process. It is a huge expense, we drove an hour each day to get to the office and DS was suffering from horrible allergies. I thought the whole thing was going to be a waste.

However, we also had a tester recommended on Hoagie's and she was amazing. A good tester will know when to push through and when to take a break, have a snack, take a walk or whatever. I wanted to manage every piece of this process, but I had to let it go. My guess is that circumstances would never have been as "perfect" as I would have wanted for testing

We only have preliminary results at this point but I was shocked at what she found. He's dysgraphic and his WISC scores are 20-25 points higher than I would have guessed. I am so glad to finally know what is going on with DS. Every step has been absolutely worth it for us.

Thanks, Loy58 and Portia. It is good to keep in mind that I don't necessarily need to DO anything with the testing results right away. My husband and I want the information for sure and when we look at results we can then determine how to move forward with school.

The psychologist has been absolutely wonderful. We've completed all initial screening (developmental hx, behavior rating scales, interviews, etc.) and we've had two phone conversations. Although we've yet to meet face to face, I like her a lot. And I already feel that she "gets" our DS more than most adults and she has yet to meet him.

I'm happy to hear that I'm not the only one who got nervous before

I'm thankful to have found this online community. I wish there was a way to find people locally, but it seems no one talks about this!