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Learn More Service PaymentHas your child ever shown some type of behavior that prompted you to consider they may be gifted? Does your child display excellent memory skills or learn words easily? While every child is special in their own way, some have unusual or exceptional abilities that show up in their early, formative years. They may show an early interest in learning, grasp new concepts easily, or gravitate toward adults more than their peers. These are only a few indicators of giftedness.
So, what exactly makes a child gifted? While there is debate on the concept of giftedness, experts agree that these abilities come from both environmental and genetic factors.
Researchers have identified and organized a combination of characteristics that describe gifted children into the following five categories:
Exceptionally bright children, or those who display advanced cognitive/intellectual abilities, are generally termed ‘gifted’. Giftedness can be presented within a specific interest or category, so a child doesn’t necessarily need to excel in all areas to be considered gifted.
The National Association for Gifted Children lists a few common questions for parents to consider:
While most gifted behaviors appear to be positive, some social and emotional behaviors are at risk if their needs are not being met, such as anxiety, perfectionism, stress, or issues with their peers.
Aside from the potential benefits of placement in a gifted program, gifted testing can provide important information about your child’s abilities through pin-pointed ability and achievement tests. Identifying their giftedness early on can help develop your child’s talents and place them in a gifted program, or it may help discover learning disabilities that need attention. These tests are common assessment tools and should be used in conjunction with subjective assessment tools to ensure that all students, especially the underserved students (i.e. English Language Learners, disabled, minority, low-income) who may also be gifted, are not overlooked.
With a variety of curriculum provided, all gifted children can have their individual gifted needs met. Even if they are not at the gifted level, gifted testing can provide important information about your child’s abilities and potentials in the present and future.
According to the National Association for Gifted Children, it’s best to wait until your child is at least 6 years old. Although you may recognize the characteristics of a gifted child at a very young age, testing too early can cause inaccuracies. Instead, parents can look into ways to keep gifted toddlers and preschoolers challenged and stimulated at home with accelerated math, reading, and science activities, visiting science museums, enrolling in music programs, and much more.
When a young student is placed in a gifted program, these gifted programs focus on a more challenging curriculum with more advanced classes or more accelerated instruction than the regular classroom. Programs will vary but will generally involve targeting and developing skills in logical thinking, problem-solving, critical and creative thinking, and reasoning skills. These programs usually move at a quicker pace with a more in-depth syllabus of studies.Gifted programs in Florida fall under the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) which are specially designed instruction and curriculum that meets the unique needs of gifted children.For placement in Broward County, the current eligibility includes 3 requirements:
Ability tests are generally used to identify gifted and talented children. While these tests provide information for the intellectual domain, these tests are not as helpful in identifying someone with creative, leadership, or other abilities. These types of tests include intelligence quotient (IQ) or cognitive abilities test scores:
Again, the tests will vary from program to program and school to school.
Ability tests are generally used to identify gifted and talented children. While these tests provide information for the intellectual domain, these tests are not as helpful in identifying someone with creative, leadership, or other abilities. These types of tests include intelligence quotient (IQ) or cognitive abilities test scores:
School psychologists or independent psychologists must be licensed in their respective fields in Florida to perform these tests.
Generally, testing for children under six years old usually takes an hour while children over the age of 6 takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. You can prepare your child for the testing by making sure your child is well-rested and has eaten a healthy breakfast. Limit what you share and let them know about the test a day before, so they don’t have much time to think about it. There is no need to emphasize its importance because your child can develop test anxiety or become anxious. Explain that he or she will be meeting with someone to do some different activities that will help decide about school for the upcoming year. For younger children, you can tell them that they’re going to be meeting with new people to show off what they’ve have learned from the previous grade.
The test results are usually available immediately or shortly after the evaluation. A follow-up appointment will generally take place where you will receive a more comprehensive report and discuss the results with the psychologist.
Behavioral Health Associates of Broward offers gifted placement testing in a safe, comfortable environment for your child. Our comprehensive evaluation will identify if your child meets the criteria for giftedness and make recommendations for academic placement or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
By discovering exceptional abilities or identifying potential learning disabilities early on, we can work together to ensure your child’s educational needs are being met and are helping to facilitate your child to live their full potential. Call us at 954-909-0888 to schedule an appointment today. We are ready to help you start planning a positive educational journey for your child.
Phone: 954-909-0888
Fax: 954-337-2932
Email: [email protected]
Coral Springs/Parkland:
11555 Heron Bay Boulevard
Coral Springs, FL 33076
Davie/Cooper City:
5890 South Pine Island Rd, Suite 201
Davie, FL 33328