If you have selected any of the items on the list, it is advised to get your child evaluated for giftedness. This is a relatively fast evaluation to complete. It includes an interview and meeting with the parents, IQ test, possible academic testing, and feedback. Total office time could take about 3 to 4 hours. Getting your child tested for giftedness is an important step in planning their academic success.
Signs of Giftedness
• Complex processing of information: A gifted child is able to perceive relationships, comprehend implications, and process a large amount of information.
• Ability to think abstractly: The child can often move from concrete to symbolic representation very comfortably and at an earlier age than most children.
• Strong critical thinking skills: The child is able to perform evaluations based on established criteria and often notices discrepancies between what people say and what they do.
• Ability to follow directions and assume responsibility: A child who is gifted often shows independence, self-reliance, and responsibility in completing tasks.
• Creativity and inventiveness: The child is able to view situations from varying perspectives, develop and explore alternative approaches, and generate novel products.
Seemingly limitless energy: Frequently a gifted child is alert and eager, delving into interests beyond the usual limitations of children his/her own age.
• Leadership: The child often assumes leadership roles in a variety of circumstances and settings.
• Unusual alertness in infancy.
• Less need for sleep in infancy.
• Long attention span.
• High activity level.
• Smiling or recognizing caretakers early.
• Intense reactions to noise, pain, frustration.
• Advanced progression through the developmental milestones.
