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Answers to questions about gifted youth

I think my child is gifted. What information or resources do you recommend?
My gifted child is bored / underachieving / misbehaving in school. What should I do?
How do I pick a school for my gifted child?
My child's school does not offer anything special for gifted youth. What can I do?
How do I go about testing my young child?


I think my child is gifted. What information or resources do you recommend?

Get answers to your questions about your gifted kidsBooks:
Guiding the Gifted Child, James T. Webb
Bringing Out the Best, Jacquelyn Saunders

Websites:
National Association for Gifted Children
NEAG Center for Gifted Education & Talent Development
Hoagies' Gifted Education Page
Davidson Institute for Talent Development
SENG: Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted
Great Potential Press, Inc.
Educational Options


My gifted child is bored / underachieving / misbehaving in school. What should I do?

When any of these things occurs, the environment is wrong for the child; it is not that something is wrong with the child. Parents should investigate what is going on in school that doesn't fit the learning, emotional and personality needs of their child. If the child is not given appropriate instruction paced correctly for him or her, these behaviors may continue.


How do I pick a school for my gifted child?

This depends on where you live, what you can afford and how much you want the school to do compared to your family's role. You should take into account your child's intellectual level, the overall intellectual average of the school and the flexibility of their instructional program. You should educate yourself on giftedness and school choices, and always visit the schools you are considering.


My child's school does not offer anything special for gifted youth. What can I do?

Most schools have very little in place for gifted youth. The schools that have gifted programs often group same-age gifted youth together for enrichment classes for about one hour a week.

Parents need to educate themselves on the needs of their child based on their child's level of intelligence and personality. They should use this information to work with the school to enact appropriate changes. If that doesn't work, the parent should look at different schools or homeschooling. If you choose homeschooling, you may do some of the instructing yourself, pay tutors to do it at your home or in the school during the school day, or convince the school to allow your child to work on materials you've set up instead of some of the regular classes. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but persistence and education will pay off.


How do I go about testing my young child?

You might consider asking your child's school psychologist or counselor if your child has already taken a test through the school's regular placement efforts.  They may also be able to test your child or refer you to someone who can.

You might also contact your child's pediatrician for a referral of a psychologist who has experience working with children and is willing to sit down with you to go over the report and findings.