Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment Question about applying to DYS

My 5 year old DS qualifies for DYS based on his IQ score. I have two questions about the application. Can anyone help me out?

1) When they ask, "In what areas does your child exhibit prodigious intellectual ability?" do they mean subjects like math or reading? He reads at a 5-6th grade level and about 3rd grade math even though he has never been to school (he's currently homeschooled).

2) Would an art teacher suffice for a nominator form? I know art samples did not suffice for samples under the previous criteria. That's pretty much the only teacher he has had this past year. Or, would maybe a family friend count if she is someone who has known my child for awhile and has a exceptionally gifted son herself? My son hasn't had any teachers yet since he's only been to preschool and we pulled him out soon after starting because he hated it.

Thanks for any advice or help you can give me.

I'd be interested in people's opinions on this as well, as I am now in the same boat as EPYDEY.

My problem is my kids seem to be at grade level If they have been tested using the WISC IV and are HG, but they don't seem to perform at that level in daily life (unless you ask my DS about biology, then you will hear a lot on that) what do you say?. When I have asked at what level my DS reads at school, they say he's a good reader and he is right where he is supposed to be (which doesn't make me feel like he is reading above grade). I have one teacher I can ask to write a recommendation for my son, but my daughter is either solidly underachieving, or hasn't come into her own yet (she's my sleeper, I would never have guessed she is HG or even MG before testing). I want to apply them to DYS, but I don't have any real backup beyond their test I was a solid underachiever due to lack of interest in academics… so I suspect it may be a similar situation. My own specific interests? I was an encyclopedia - but only for the stuff *I* was interested in…school was not interesting.

EPYDEY not sure but maybe this link will be helpful?

http://giftedissues.davidsongifted....lled_out_your_DYS_Nomina.html#Post219395

I'd suggest that his current reading and math levels are indeed worth describing. It sounds as though either person you mention would be a valid choice as a nominator, as they know your child well, can speak to what they see in him and are not family members.