Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment What testing should I use?

Hmm. That is an unusual insight. It does not sound like he will fit in at all.

Have you considered presenting him to Dr Ruf for testing? You will find out right away where he stands and what your alternatives are.

I agree with Austin. That comment is very telling. Based on your descriptions you wouldn't be out of your mind to conceive that he is HG, or PG.

He seems very socially aware, and that comment troubles me. I don't think it's indicative of any pressing distress, per se, but maybe he already knows something is up and is attempting to make sense of it. Better advice than what test to take, is to make sure you have him evaluated by a specialist that has experience with HG/PG kids. You should tell that person everything you just posted about your son here.


If you get the right specialist that won't happen. You'll get a number, but that's the tip, you'll get so much more........

Both my children have a number. Neither has been or will be classified by it, that's totally within my realm of influence, yours too.

Its hardly bad at all!!

Shellymos, given that insight, your son is not a kid from an intellectual perspective. He is a young adult - already trying to intuit others' behavior based upon his own introspection - and trying to think about his social place - while making allowances for both sides. That's a very sophisticated social activity.

He sounds like a warm, well-rounded, and wonderful person and you and your husband are the great understanding parents he is fortunate to have.

I think a first step - and forgive me if I missed this mentioned - is find a local private psychologist who deals a fair amount with gifted children. Talk to the psychologist about outcomes. Because I think the "bang for your buck" isn't in getting the right test but beginning the process of understanding what your child's level of giftedness will mean to your family. and what options you have for education, enrichment, and emotional support in your area. Seriously, I've only read ruff but I'm going out on a limb but a real reader at 2 makes me think you may need someone holding your hand when you get the news... even though you are aware I think the numbers may surprise even you.

If you "think" there is any "emotional" problems coming from his gt your insurance may cover testing. But not often or always.

I jumped off for a minute with a panic of my own (my 4 year old is at kindergarten orientation today and her dad called and sounded hushed - just wanted to know if i want to volunteer at a party - geez man i thought we went rogue the first 30 minutes).

I don't think I implied that it was bad...........

I do think it's wise to consider the comment as a signal that he understands there is a difference between himself and his peers. Given what we are estimating about his intellect it is not a stretch to imagine some level of distress would be one possible outcome.

Or not, however, let us not minimize either situation.

In any effect, this comment would be something I would tell the child psychologist who specializes in evaluating for giftedness. That is person who would be most qualified to make any assessments.............

Thats true! I was emphasizing it!!

oops sorry, I was reading that wrong....

Yes we both work, I work in a school system so I have more time off with him then in other positions thankfully. DH works a a graphic designer. DS stays with my DD and my mother while DH and I work. We spend lots of time with him whenever we can...although want him to play by himself some too. But we do tons of stuff with him outside and in. in a couple weeks he will be starting a pre-k program that is kind of like a daycare in a way because they don't have very formal academic stuff. They do a lot of gross motor stuff and socialization, which I think it what he needs the most of. He has a lot of energy and while he is extremely bright, he loves just jumping around having fun and being silly. So it should be a good fit I hope, and in the afternoon he can work on special projects and things if he wants to.

I had no idea that one could present their child to Dr. Ruf. I don't know if I necessarily need to do that, but I guess it would be helpful. I really related to the case stories and examples they gave of both level 4 and level 5 children in the book, but more level 4 I think.

I think he is just trying to make sense of why someone would say something that is not true. When he was three and his older cousin would say that words said other things (because she can't read) he didn't get it. He kept trying to make sense of it and just decided that she must be teasing him. After I informed him that she couldn't read he doesn't correct her as much. In fact, this past summer shortly before he turned 4 he let her "read" books to him without correcting her at all. Of course when I read to him he will say "um mom, 2 pages ago you said 'an' and the word was 'as.'"

I am not sure how socially aware he really is. Sometimes he seems to get it, and other times he has no clue. Like today I said "what is different about you and the other kids in your class at church?" since that is the only class he is in I thought it would be good to see what he said. The class has 4-6 year olds and he has been in it since shortly after turning 3 as they didn't feel he was a good fit for the other class. He told me "I am different because my eyes are different colors than some of the other kids." I went on to ask if there was anything else different and he went on and on "they have different houses than I do, we all like to do different things, we like different foods." I said is there anything you can do that other people can't do? He said "we just all do what we like to do." So who knows.