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By K. Michele Smith
December 20, 2000
Q: My son is very smart and is bored beyond endurance in first grade this year. Last year was also bad, but things are getting worse. He doesn't like school and is beginning to misbehave. There are a lot of other problems as well. He reads adult level magazines, knows his math through (I think) fourth grade, and loves science. I asked the school about letting him skip a grade. They said they would let him skip if I wanted to, but they need an IQ test and are worried about him being with older children. What do you think?
A: It sounds like you are blessed with an exceptionally gifted young man. I understand your predicament very well, as I have faced this challenge myself. The decision to skip a grade will depend on the child's personality. Some children prefer to stay with their age mates while learning at an advanced level, but this is usually the exception rather than the rule. Most extremely advanced children operate at an advanced level and are actually more comfortable, socially, with older children.
The first step is, of course, research. There is a lot of information available for parents of profoundly gifted children, but it is fragmented and often difficult to locate. I'd like to offer a few thoughts, then I will list some sources for you to begin with.
Check with the school and find out which IQ test they are going to administer. There are several tests, and using the wrong test can result in an incorrect assessment. Schools usually give some form of the Weschler, but this test has an IQ ceiling of 160, which means it does not score accurately above that. A child with an IQ higher than this may boomerang, and the test will show a falsely depressed score. In other words, if a child has an IQ of 180 (20 points above the ceiling), their score may end up 20 points below the ceiling. An IQ of 190 (30 points above the ceiling) may register 30 points below, or 140. Try to have the SBLM administered. If you can afford it, I would recommend a private assessment.
Many people question the validity of IQ scores, and I agree that, in this country, too much emphasis is put on scores of any kind. However, I believe it is important for a couple of reasons. First, it is a tool you can use to get your son the special help he needs. Secondly, it will help you to understand your own child. Extremely high IQ individuals simply do not operate the same as other people; their brains are different. These children have very special needs and an IQ test will help you to determine where to start helping your child.
As a general guideline, but by no means carved in stone, here is how you can use the scores. Remember, this breakdown is in no way a scientific assessment, just a general idea of somewhere to start. If your son's IQ is 120 or less, enrichment may be enough for him. Children with IQ scores of 120 to 140 generally benefit from a grade skip, maybe two. If your child's IQ is over 140, be prepared to start over, and you will have a lot of work ahead of you. I can tell you from experience, though, raising an extremely high IQ child is the most exciting and rewarding "tough job" you can imagine.
Getting your son an IQ test can take some time. I would not suggest waiting for the score results to start your research, as your son sounds like he is already getting beyond the scope of a traditional classroom.
You can find wonderful,
understanding support from parents of prodigies at a bulletin board
on the internet.
The address is
http://disc.server.com/Indices/9457.html
If you find you have a truly,
profoundly gifted child,
you will find this board immeasurable help.
Here are three wonderful sites that are loaded
with information about gifteds and excellent links
to other sites.
The ERIC website is,
in my opinion,
the perfect place to start.
The articles are readable and exceptionally well written.
You can start at
http://ericec.org/gifted/gt-menu.htm.
A website by parents for parents is at
http://www.educationaloptions.com/id47.htm.
Another website filled with great information and links is
http://www.eskimo.com/~user/zeric.html.
Don't forget to explore the links to other resources.
Now for the bad news. If you find yourself with an exceptionally gifted child, be prepared for a surreal life. These children have very special needs and are frequently misunderstood. Your son will need your understanding and support, and that is why I strongly recommend starting research on the topic right away. These children are different; they think differently, they develop differently, they respond to various situations differently. People are often hostile toward them for various reasons. They are alone in their thoughts and often lonely, since they learn very early that most people simply don't understand them. Parents are often the only protection these children have from a society that punishes those that are obviously different. Expecting a profoundly gifted child to be "normal" is like expecting a cat to act like a dog; it isn't going to work.
Don't forget your role as advocate; you will need to be there, ready to stand by your child and work at finding the support he needs. Mentors are very important to these children, at any age. Finally, if you do find your child is profoundly gifted, let's say an IQ of 140+ on the SBLM, I beg you to find help. Go to the websites listed above, email me again, get involved. Your child is exceptional and needs your help and understanding, and you as the parent of a profoundly gifted will also benefit from support and understanding.
I wish both you and your son the best of luck,
and I look forward to hearing from you again.
Michele
All Contents Copyright 2000 by Valder Learning Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this publication in any form without prior written permission is forbidden.
