Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Other Concepts

Hello all,

I am new here, but I have been reading the board for several months now. I am the mom of two children, DS is 5y2mos, and DD is 3y4mos. It wasn't until I had DD that I even realized that DS might be exceptionally bright or gifted. We still haven't tested DS, but we do know that he is not "normal".

Anyway, the reason I posted this thread is to ask at what age did you realize that your child understood "other" concepts, as opposed to reading or math concepts (on paper)? And what were they?

For example, DS could sing an entire song from memory before a year old, could pick up the dance routine in a video (i.e, the Wiggles) after watching it one time before a year old. One of the things that sticks out in my mind the most is when he got his first tricycle. He got on it, and pushed the floor with his feet to move. I remember taking him off, turning the trike upside down and showing him with my arms how the pedals worked. He did it once with his arms, and the rest is history. I don't remember exactly how old he was, but I do know it was before I found out I was pregnant with DD, and they are 22 mos apart. He is also able to figure out how to control a video game by trying it once. He's had a Leapster since he was 2, and DD who will be 4 in October still can't figure out how to control it, same for the computer.

I'm asking out of curiousity, and also to get an idea if we should get him tested now or wait until after he begins kindergarten in the fall.

Most people will agree that the best time to test is when you need information about your child. Information to get them into a school or program. Information about the best educational path to take. Information about learning strenghts, weaknesses and potential 2E concerns.

We tested DS6 young at 4 years 9 months because I needed information to justify moving him from a bad preschool situation. Granted I could have just moved him without the testing but the program I might have chosen might have still had more of the same issues. Based on the information I received from the testing we ended up moving DS6 to a much more expensive Montessori program where he could learn at a more accelarated pace.

From what I have been told and read testing before the age of 6 can be hard since the children are much more squirrely. DS6 loved the testing experience. He was able too sit for the whole time (~2 hours). He didn't give silly answers just to be silly. We also had a tester who had worked with and raised her own gifted children. We had an ideal testing situation.

If you are looking for acceleration or special accomodations in K you may want to test now to obtain information that can be used to get accomodations. This depends a lot on your ditrict and school. Some may not even look out outside testing. Some may want a specific test done.

I would start by contacting the Principal of the school where your child will attend K as well as reading up on the school board policies.

Welcome!

I agree with Crisc, you should contact the school first and find out what outside tests they will consider. If they won't accept any, find out when they do in school testing and see if it is possible to have you DS set up over the summer, prior to starting school.

Some schools absolutely refuse to test Kindergarteners, so don't be surprised if you get shot down. The important thing is to keep moving forward. If the school won't offer any kind of help, try the district office, ask for the gifted coordinator or special ed (depending on your state). Keep good notes on conversations and follow up with thank you notes. It may take some time but generally with enough perserverance things get done.

Thank you for the information. I have already contacted the shool, the school board, and the county & state. None will budge because DS's bday is in December. I get the "if his bday was in September" response. I do not want DS skipping straight into 3rd grade (or wherever he fits academically), but I do know that he's bored in Pre-K and would've benefited in K this year instead of starting it in the fall, though most people who have interacted with him on any teacher/student level say he should be in second grade. Even with testing, the state won't budge very far on their "rules". Of course, DS is a boy, so I don't want him being pushed into a social situation he's not ready for either.

DS reads far above his level and is advanced in math as well (not as high as reading/comprehension/spelling/writing). He'd have fun in the testing environment too. Instead of playing with cars and kids' stuff aimed at his age as a baby, he would do "homework". I know our school district will test in K with a teacher recommendation, but I want to make sure that I have everything I possibly can to be an advocate for him. Unfortunately the only child psychologist that specializes in gifted children/testing is on the other side of our state and costs a bit more than we can afford.

The Education Board and the Health Dept both have programs designed for children on the opposite side of the spectrum, but nothing for those that could get lost because they are more advanced than their peers. I used to teach in a rural school in the state and was amazed on how many kids were labeled as ADD/ADHD, etc, and at least a good handful of them shouldn't have been. They just needed to be challenged.

And I was still curious about the "other concepts" issue. Is it the same for most gifted kids, meaning they grasp how to do or work toys, objects, etc faster than a "normal" child?

What state are you in? I know a few people have been able to have their children test through the local universities in their states. The graduate students need the clinical experience and they are monitored be the dept heads.

Georgia, and I hadn't thought about that yet. We have several that specialize in education majors. I will look into it! Thanks!

In GA gifted programs are state funded and required, but it's so wishy washy, especially prior to 3rd grade. In NJ (where I'm from originally), I was in the gifted programs as far back as I can remember.