Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment Question on testing

I have never heard of Justin Chapman until reading the links in this thread. His story is so sad and I really hope the best for him. I agree that he is probably PG but his mother's need to push him to be the ultimate has harmed not only him but the gifted community as well. While looking up more information about him I came across a piece for gifted teachers using his case as why they need to be on the lookout for the pushy parents.

http://giftededucation.suite101.com/article.cfm/gifted_teachers_can_learn_from_justin_chapman

I found the "soccer Mom on crack" comment scary because it seems to imply that pushing your kids for test scores is somehow worse than pushing them to excel in sports. Pushing your kids unnecessarily is bad.

Kids need support; not pressure to be someone they are not. Most of our kids don't need any sort of outside encouragement to be more perfectionist than they already are.

However, many parents of gifted kids know what their children are capable of and know that sometimes it takes the official "score" to get recognition and accommodation for it. That makes it particularly hard to not be concerned about whether or not the score accurately reflects your child. It can also be hard to hear from someone who clearly doesn't get your child. (which from their perspective makes you more likely to be crazy when you seem to question what they are saying.)

Oh the dilemma...

Thanks for the background information Shari. It sounds like asking on this forum was a good idea and you are getting helpful information. I understand the desire to test and just get done. I bet the WISC IV or SB5 would be your best bet to get what you need to on record for now.

Thanks to a couple of recommendations and a long conversation with Aimee (who it should be noted is the BOMB! Thanks, Aimee!)the decision is made and I feel really good about it.

We are going to Scottsdale AZ which is about the same distance as the GDC for us to Dr Beljan. His fees for a WISC IV and the WIAT is $800. complete. In addition to his reasonable prices I spoke to him personally on the phone today and really like what he had to say.

Let it be noted that if I lived closer to Boston Aimee would be my first choice!

So glad to read that you have found a solution and really happy to see that the members on this board were beneficial for your quest of advice. I'm sure your DS will do great. Keep us posted. I love reading about him. He really does sound like an amazing little boy.

(thanks for the plug, Shari!)

Yay, Shari!

(And Aimee *is* the bomb!)

Shari, So glad that you found an alternative solution that you feel good about. There's nothing worse than feeling something is not quite right (and being expected to pay a lot of money on top of it!) FWIW, I had a similar feeling when I checked out GDC. I do know people who have been happy with their work but I couldn't make my gut happy so I looked elsewhere.

Awesome Shari!!!

Good luck!