In the article "Is Your Child Intellectually Gifted" https://www.empowher.com/parenting/content/your-child-intellectually-gifted, we learned the traits that are more visible and frequently occurring across the different types of intellectually gifted children. It’s possible that your child does some or a very few of the characteristics given in the list of common traits mentioned in that article, yet you still suspect that your child is extraordinary in some ways. The logical direction to take would be for you to consult with your child’s pediatrician and get a reference to visit a child psychologist who can run the right test (such as the WISC-IV and Woodcock-Johnson Achievement test) on your child.
When parents plan to get their child tested for her/his giftedness, they must be very clear why they are getting the test done. This especially so because it is not recommended to test a child’s intelligence quotient (IQ) before the age of 5 unless there is a good case of providing him or her with a suitable academic course program that provides daily intellectual challenges to him or her to enable him or her reach his or her potential.
Some popular tests are:
1. The WISC IV or The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Fourth Edition: These tests are administered for between 65 and 80 minutes and contain 10 core subtests and five additional subtests through their main areas of testing, including: Verbal Comprehension Index, Perceptual Reasoning Index, Working Memory Index, and Processing Speed Index. To learn more about this test you may access: Inderbir Sindhu (Ph.D) on Brainy-child.com: http://www.brainy-child.com/expert/WISC_IV.shtml
2. Woodcock-Johnson Achievement offers a variety of brief tests that assess the following skills of the child being tested: Letter-Word Identification, Reading Fluency, Passage Comprehension, Word Attack, Reading Vocabulary, Spelling, Writing Fluency, Writing Samples, Spelling of Sounds, Punctuation and Capitalization, Calculation, Math Fluency, Applied Problems, Quantitative Concepts, Story Recall, Understanding Directions, Story Recall – Delayed, Picture Vocabulary, Oral Comprehension, Academic Knowledge, Sound Awareness. Basically, it aims to test cognitive abilities and academic achievement.
3. The Generalized Intelligence Quotient Test which seeks to examine the test taker's intelligence through administering several different standardized tests like Fluid Intelligence, Crystallized Intelligence, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading and Writing Ability, Short-Term Memory, Long-Term Storage and Retrieval, Visual Processing, Auditory Processing, Processing Speed and Decision/Reaction Time/Speed. IQ scores are used to predict educational achievement or special needs as well as to predict job performance and income.
There are other popular tests as well such as the Kauffman test of achievement. Regardless of the test we have our child take, we must remember that any test is not very accurate and will involve subjective elements in assessment. Thus the scores will be indicative at best and this will give you enough to build on for your child. In case the test scores confirm your hunch that your child is gifted, what should you consider doing next for him/her academically and socially?
Academic Outcomes:
If the standard IQ test has been administered on the child, then a score between 125 and 144 would mean that your child is cooperative by nature, learns rapidly and likes to work independently. He or she could be provided with challenges of content with mild degree of speeding up of learning and be given advanced and enriching work on a daily basis.
A score between 145 and 159 would indicate advanced vocabulary, individualistic nature and resistance to typecasting. He or she would require a program that has mentors to emulate and develop from, an accelerated pace of learning and academic enrichment. Differentiated ways of delivering instructions for content and processes has to be evolved for such children.
A score between 160 and 179 would point at fixation at one or two interests, low on social skills, dislike of authority and very high degree of reading skill. An individual program will be required for such a child along with intensive counseling and rapid learning. Again, differentiation in instruction delivery is required at both in content and processes level. Grade skipping is an option to consider here.
A score above 180 would mean that the child has the ability to finish college by 10 years old but may show social problems though they can achieve at the highest levels. Such children will require early admissions, individualized programs, mentorships and intensive counseling.
Social Outcomes:
Intelligence levels and outcomes have been studied by researchers who have tried to predict the correlation of gifted children with job performance, social adjustability, crime, income etc.
• Crime – A 1995 report entitled, "Intelligence: Knowns and Unknowns," published by The American Psychological Association, indicated that it is essential we realize the links between psychometric ability and social outcomes are indirect. So, children with low scholastic abilities may feel alienated and eventually vent through delinquent behavior compared to those who perform on an average or excelling level. (Source: Neisser et al., August 7, 1995 "Intelligence: Knowns and Unknowns". Board of Scientific Affairs of the American Psychological Association. Retrieved August 6, 2006.)
• Job Performance – General mental ability is a rough and ready indicator of a person’s future performance for recruiters especially in those cases where the applicant has no prior work experience. IQ tests are run by some corporations to gauge this for fresh entrants. High IQ-scoring young adults are often sought out for research and management positions. (Source: Schmidt, Frank L.; Hunter, John E., 1998, "The validity and utility of selection methods in personnel psychology: Practical and theoretical implications of 85 years of research findings". Psychological Bulletin 124 (2): 262–74. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.124.2.262.)
• Income – Studies have shown that as far as income is concerned, IQ scores show a decreasing marginal value. This means it is important that you have enough intelligence, but an abundance of it may not translate to a huge pay packet. (Source: Earl Hunt. "The Role of Intelligence in Modern Society", July-Aug, 1995, American Scientist. pp. 4, Nonlinearities in Intelligence. Archived from the original on May 21, 2006.). Another study conducted in 2002, went on to state that there were non-IQ parameters that come into play that determine a person’s income, such as location, heritable wealth, schooling, etc.
INFORMATION IN THIS ARTICLE IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. ALL INFORMATION GIVEN IS TO BE CHECKED WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE IMPLEMENTING OR TAKING THEM AS STANDARD OR VERIFIED.
Mamta Singh is a published author of the books Migraines for the Informed Woman (Publisher: Rupa & Co. URL: http://www.amazon.com/Migraines-Informed-Woman-Tips-Sufferer/dp/8129115174/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1298990756&sr=1-2), the upcoming Rev Up Your Life! (Publisher: Hay House India) and Mentor Your Mind (Publisher: Sterling Publishers). She is also a seasoned business, creative and academic writer. She is a certified fitness instructor, personal trainer & sports nutritionist through IFA, Florida USA. Mamta is an NCFE-certified Holistic Health Therapist SAC Dip U.K. She is the lead writer and holds Expert Author status in many well-received health, fitness and nutrition sites. She runs her own popular blogs on migraines in women and holistic health. Mamta holds a double Master's Degree in Commerce and Business. She is a registered practitioner with the UN recognized Art of Living Foundation.