Gifted Programs are designed to provide a more challenging educational curriculum for exceptionally bright students who meet very specific criteria for placement in such a program. These programs tend to focus on expanding the traditional curriculum, rather than teaching above grade level. Critical thinking skills and specific concentration on abstract reasoning skills are often emphasized in the Gifted classroom. Programs vary from school to school, from part time to full time and in some instances specific schools are designated as gifted centers. A parent may have the choice as to which type of program best suits their child. Since gifted programs fall under the umbrella of Exceptional Student Education, each student who is eligible for placement receives an Educational Plan (EP), specifically designed to meet the needs of that student.

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Any student who meets or exceeds established standards for eligibility will be considered for placement in a gifted program. The ultimate decision for placement rests with the school-based committee who reviews all test data and anecdotal information available on the child. Currently the standards include a Full Scale IQ Score of 130 or above and demonstration of gifted qualities on a teacher- completed gifted checklist. In certain instances where minority students or where English is not the primary language spoken in the home, a special “matrix” may be utilized, giving different weight to the various gifted criteria.

All children have a profile of relative strengths and weaknesses. While not always the case, many intellectually gifted youngsters show an early interest in learning, tend to grasp new concepts easily and show a curiosity about a variety of topics. Oftentimes such youngsters are easily bored if not sufficiently stimulated by their environment. Early interest in Reading or Math is not necessarily an indicator of giftedness, nor are straight A’s in school in and of themselves. The classroom teacher or pre-school teacher is often a good judge of “giftedness” as they have the opportunity to observe your child over time in relation to the many other students they have worked with. At the same time, some teachers have a built-in bias against the concept of giftedness as it has been so widely overused.

The most commonly used IQ tests for children over the age of six are the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Fifth Edition (WISC V), the Stanford Binet Fifth Edition (SB5), and the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (KABC). For children under the age of six, the Wechsler Pre-School and Primary Scales of Intelligence Fourth Edition (WPPSI IV) , Stanford Binet Fifth Edition (SB5) and Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (KABC), are most widely used. Academic Achievement measures typically include the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test Second Edition (WIAT 2), Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement Fouth Edition (WJR IV) or Kaufman Tests of Academic Achievement (K-TEA). While other tests may be used it is important to check with the ESE Coordinator at your school to make sure that the proposed tests are approved by the school.

These tests should only be administered by professionals with appropriate training and licensure/certification. Professionals sanctioned to provide such assessments include certified and/or licensed School Psychologists and Licensed Psychologists. School Psychologists employed by the school system typically possess a Masters, Specialist or Doctorate in School Psychology and are certified by the State as possessing the necessary training and experience to perform these tests. Independent Psychologists and School Psychologists must be licensed in their respective fields by the State in order to perform these tests.

Gifted testing that includes IQ and Achievement testing typically takes between 11/2 and 2  hours and is usually completed in one or two sessions.

Gifted testing can be administered by the school psychologist at your child’s school, or by an independent psychologist or school psychologist in a private office. If your child attends a private school or is home schooled, they are still eligible to be evaluated at the local school your child would attend if enrolled. Testing completed by the public school system is performed free of charge. It is important to be aware that while there is no charge for testing performed at the school, there is frequently a lengthy waiting list and that it may take a minimum of several months before testing is initiated. Due to the number of students on the waiting list the school psychologist will frequently conduct an initial gifted screening and only administer the full assessment on those students who perform sufficiently well on this screening. It is often the case that there is no advanced notification prior to calling your child in for testing. While gifted programs begin in Kindergarten, the public school will not administer gifted testing until a child is attending school.

I generally do not recommend testing a child for the gifted program younger than 4 years, 6 months of age unless the child appears to be highly gifted. For an incoming Kindergarten student, the school system generally does not review the test results until you register your child in the Spring, before entering Kindergarten the following Fall. Testing can be done at any age through high school, if gifted placement is being considered for reasons such as a change from private to public school, recent relocation to this area, or underachievement in school, where superior intellect and boredom is suspected.

Make sure that your child gets a good night’s sleep prior to testing and has a nutritious breakfast in the morning. I strongly urge you not to try to “coach” your child. These are not tests you can, or should, prepare for, as they are meant to measure innate ability. Do not overemphasize the importance of this test or act in a way so as to add to any test anxiety. Do not speak in terms of passing or failing the test (which is impossible), but rather in terms of doing one’s best in order to help with the best placement for next year. For young children I recommend talking to the child about meeting someone new to be able to show off everything that you know, so that we can show your future kindergarten teacher how smart you are.

I hold a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Miami. I am licensed both as a Psychologist and School Psychologist and have over twenty five years of experience testing children. Having worked in the past as a school psychologist in the public school system I am familiar with all current requirements for gifted placement as well as a clear understanding of the type of child who benefits most from a gifted placement. You will frequently find my name on lists of recommended psychologists by local schools as a result of my expertise and integrity. Most importantly, I love what I do and take the time to develop rapport with the children I am working with so that your child feels comfortable with the testing procedure.

Recently I developed a screening process that allows me opportunity to conduct a half hour screening for a reduced fee that can frequently determine whether further assessment is warranted. If you elect to schedule the full assessment the cost of the screening will be deducted from the overall cost of the evaluation.

The scores obtained are available immediately upon completion of the testing. A comprehensive report can be picked up or sent to you within one to two days.

Cost of gifted testing in South Florida typically ranges between $350 and $600 for the full assessment.  My fees for gifted testing are $250 for a screening, which is optional, $450 for IQ testing only and $500 for the full assessment including IQ testing and Academic Achievement testing. I generally recommend a full evaluation for incoming Kindergarten students and students who are entering a new school from out of area. If you elect to do an initial screening, the fee will be applied to the cost of the overall assessment, but the testing will require two separate appointments.