One of the most difficult aspects of parenting a gifted child is in the earliest stages of a child’s development, when signs of exceptionalism begin to show. It’s tough to know if the child is truly gifted or simply of above-average intelligence. Knowing the difference and how to best support a gifted child will assist both the student as well the rest of the learning team.
Understanding and navigating the gifted screening process in your child’s school or potential school is an important part of preparing both you and the child for what you might expect from the evaluation process. This can involve placing a specific request, or a nomination from one of the child’s educators.
In addition to understanding and identifying the differentiation between bright students and those who are gifted, it’s also helpful become familiar with the gifted programs available to your state, district, and school. Knowing that your child shows signs of true giftedness can assist you in choosing institutions which are a good match for your child early in the process of formal education. Many schools can develop an individualized plan for your gifted child, just as for those with learning disabilities.
Differences Between Intelligent & Gifted Students
It can seem exciting to parents to notice that their child seems to respond to the world around them in an unusually intelligent way. The best help any parent can give to their growing student is to provide encouraging and accepting support at all stages of development. However, not all intelligent students are truly gifted. In fact, only 6% of the population actually is.
The good news is that the definition of “gifted” is continually expanding to include students who simply score well on standardized tests. Students can be gifted mechanically, in work with animals, with physical skills, or artistically. But if a child is performing well above grade level in most subjects, how can parents and educators tell the difference?
What Is Giftedness?
Scoring well in academic subjects, especially across the curriculum, is indeed an initial indicator of giftedness. Most of these students also tend to place well in IQ tests. They are good at memorizing, mix well with their peers, think and learn in a structured manner, and show maturity in learning environments. However, the majority of these students are considered intelligent rather than gifted and will likely benefit from AP courses or advanced reading challenges, perhaps even skipping a grade. They are bright, but usually have close “competitors” their age when it comes to class rank or GPA. In other words, an intelligent student might turn out to be valedictorian, but his or her performance probably isn’t that different from last year’s or next year’s valedictorian. A gifted student isn’t thinking like a smart second grader, but like an adult.
Where gifted students stand out is in the complexity of their thinking. They ask unusual questions, make strikingly intricate comparisons, and are deeply thirsty for more information about the subjects in which they are interested. Left to their own devices, the gifted want to test the limits of their interests, tend to become frustrated with their peers, and like to approach adults in the field of their gift to communicate as colleagues. Intelligent students finish their homework, perform well on spelling tests, and make the honor roll; gifted students can’t be stopped from writing novels in the third grade and can solve equations that would stump most college math majors.
Understanding State Program Variations
Each state is different when it comes to gifted identification and individualized education plan formation. A smart plan of action is to find out what exactly your state or district offers and see how your student fits into this matrix. The DSSR 270 Education Allowance provides for gifted programming. If you are choosing a private school for your student, it’s best to closely examine gifted programming and speak with staff members to see how your child’s needs will be met.
Some states offer goals and guidelines for gifted students called Gifted Individualized Education Plans (GEIPs.) Development for these usually involve parents, administrators, teachers, and can also include psychologists. They usually address what the student’s goals and outcomes might be year to year. More specifically, they include how the child’s progress will be measured and observed, as well as how instruction will be delivered and modified from that of average students’.
However, parents should remember that their child’s first classroom is their home and family. Providing an environment of encouragement, intellectual stimulation, and acceptance of both your child’s gifts as well as your average children’s abilities will foster an appreciation for learning. Setting an example of avoiding the habit of leaving a television blaring mindlessly throughout the day, showing respect to teachers and administrators, and taking time out for music or nature appreciation can all do more for children than even the best state programs.
Initial Screening Programs
Each district or state may have different screening opportunities for gifted children. Ideally, these include a mix of indicators rather than reliance on a single test or grade marker. Giftedness manifests in a number of ways, and students should be monitored in individual activity as well as in groups and out of school. A school may administer placement or IQ tests, usually by a school psychologist or neutral third party. A student’s academic record may be reviewed, but holistically so as to look for students who are twice-exceptional. Coaches, parents, and teachers might complete reviews or evaluation questions.
What if a parent is confident that a child is gifted but the school has a different opinion? Many public schools allow for an appeal process. Some parents opt for private testing or tutoring. Other districts offer re-evaluation after one year has passed. Parents can also provide evidence of their child’s exceptionalism and video their children showing markers of giftedness, such as in playing a musical instrument, working out a difficult scientific experiment, or showing unusual agility. Some parents ultimately choose to homeschool their gifted children.
