How to Tell if a Child is Gifted

What Is Giftedness?

• According to the National Association for Gifted Children, most states define giftedness based on a comparison to peers of the same age or on needs beyond the regular classroom experience. On a federal level, the term gifted in respect to students, children or youth identifies potential for leadership, creativity or academic achievement. As at the state level, it may also signal the need for services or activities beyond those provided in a mainstream classroom to further develop exceptional skills. Giftedness has no universal definition, but being identified as gifted provides eligibility to participate in gifted education programs and services.

Recognizing Giftedness

• The National Association for Gifted Children states that gifted children display a variety of behaviors but often share common characteristics and traits, including marked alertness and the ability to learn quickly. They often have excellent memory, an in-depth understanding of language, a large vocabulary and the ability to understand abstract ideas. Some are self-taught readers and writers and enjoy problem solving. They might be highly sensitive -- with an internal compass of justice and unusual concern about social and political injustice -- and display intense feelings and reactions. Gifted children are often daydreamers. Although they can be preoccupied with their own thoughts, they have long attention spans and the ability to concentrate intensely. They might ask probing questions and demonstrate a highly developed curiosity and sense of humor.

Testing for Giftedness

• The website of "Psychology Today" states that although early testing is a controversial subject, advocates for gifted children believe that they should be identified as soon as possible to ensure their gifts are nurtured as well as to rule out other causes of exceptionality that should be addressed to avoid misdiagnosis. Carolyn Kottmeyer, a writer with a special focus on gifted education, say that testing is a complex psycho-educational decision and that parents should consider why they are testing, what tests will be given to their child and what answers they are looking for from the tests, and then make an informed decision.

When to Test

• On his blog for the website for "Psychology Today" educational psychologist David Palmer advises parents to familiarize themselves with the signs of giftedness before their children begin school, as most school districts don̵7;t identify children for gifted programs until second or third grade. Parents who recognize exceptionality in their children may want to consider earlier private testing or alternative or accelerated educational programs.