Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy what to do next?

My ds7 had a difficult 1st grade year, the teacher told me at least 3x he needed meds! I had him tested for ADD by psych and he tested negative. His CoGAT scores were c99 nv99 q98 v96. They tested him for gifted program but he didn't qualify due to low math and reading scores he needed a 90 in reading to qualify and he scored 86. I know he is bored in school, performs lowish because he doesn't care or think its important. I don't know if getting in the gifted program will help him but I'm considering an IQ test and fighting for it. DS does his own "research" but only thinks certain things are interesting mostly science. I'm considering moving him to a charter school if 2nd grade doesn't go well. A lot of parents tell me I will see improvement by 2nd grade just in maturation alone and hopefully a better teacher! Do others find the gifted program helps their child overall performance in the classroom? Will an IQ test help me argue that he needs to be in the program? We are in Cobb county GA. Thanks, I am new to all this!

ghmarchica - I've quite often made the comment on this forum that testing was the best thing we have done so far (for both of our daughters). Testing really opened our eyes to an entire new world (having gifted children) and it explained a lot of things for us. It also left us with more/new questions. The testing results did help us get the ball rolling with the school so that now we have a gifted IEP for each daughter.

Private testing can be expensive so you really need to find out what it will get you. Some schools won't accept outside testing or they only accept certain tests, so you need to find out what your school policy says. What does your gifted program consist of? Is it worth fighting to get your ds into?

1st grade happened to be the year from hell for my DD also, so please feel free to look back through my older posts for additional info.

Good luck!

I agree it sounds like this is a good time to get some testing to see what is really going on. There are a ton of possibilities besides ADHD. It's inappropriate for a teacher to be telling you that your son should be on meds. This is something I might complain about to the principal.

There are many other situations that can look like ADHD. A kids who is just gifted and bored, or one who has a learning disability, or one who is 2E and has both. 2E a gifted child with a learning disability could explain low test scores in a child who otherwise seems gifted yet distracted and unengaged in learning. Figuring out what is going on while your son is young is a good idea. I would probably go with a good outside psychologist that tests for giftedness if you can find and afford it.

Good Luck.

I hope it's okay, I sent you a PM. I live not too far from you

If you have the means, private testing is probably worth it. Depending on how far from the norm your dc is will help determine if a gifted program will help or if he will need something different. Also, get achievement testing to go with the IQ testing. (We found the outside testing to be invaluable.)

My ds just finished 1st, and with pullout for math and differentiation in a highly rated district was not enough. We are trying a private school next year.

Keep us posted.