Private evaluation for giftedness?

[Anonymous]

I am also puzzled because OP says a "diagnosis" might better support her kid's social emotional needs. But a WISC won't provide a diagnosis or tell you anything about how to support her social emotional needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where do you go to get a neuropsych exam done?

The school has been useless. When I talked to the gifted resources counselor, she was not allowed to refer me to a private evaluator, and the only thing they could do for me is put her through the county process of being evaluated to receive gifted services in the school system, which isn't exactly what I'm after.

You may feel that the school is being "useless," but school is a highly bureaucratized process. You need to know the magic words to use. Are you only concerned that your DC is not being challenged enough and you want him/her placed in a higher class or given access to more challenging materials? Then the "county process of being evaluated to receive gifted services in the school system" is all there is to offer you.

Are you concerned that your DC is gifted but has some other issue (like ADD, learning disability, speech/language issue, health issue, emotional or anxiety issues, etc.) that is preventing your DC from accessing the curriculum, demonstrating their skills fully or benefitting from the curriculum or is demonstrating a level of achievement that is significantly below what you suspect is your DC's ability? Then you want to ask for an IEP (if you think "specialized instruction" is necessary to remedy the situation) or a 504 plan (if you think that no specialized instruction is necessary but that your child needs some "accommodations").

If you think either a 504 or IEP is necessary, my advice is to write a letter and ask for an IEP. In your letter you will have to say that you suspect three things (1) disability, 2) adverse educational impact and 3) need for specialized instruction. Children do not have to be receiving "failing grades" or be "behind grade level" to receive an IEP. You just have to show that the disability is having an adverse educational impact and that special instruction is needed.

Why do I suggest an IEP? Because the IEP process offers greater legal protections as to timeline and obligation to evaluate, and who participates. In most school systems if the school refuses to grant an IEP, then a 504 can be considered in the alternative at the same meeting. However, if a 504 meeting is first held and the school (or parent) thinks an IEP is necessary, then the school might have to schedule a new meeting (which they can take another 30 days to do) because IEPs require the participation of certain school personnel on the IEP team.

OP, while the above poster is certainly technically correct, my experience was that the school was extremely unhelpful to the point where it really began to impact our experience with the school. Where are you located? I was told by a specialist frequently recommended on these boards that if you are in the Eastern part of the county it's easier to get those referrals than if you're in the Bethesda/Potomac areas as MCPS doesn't want to deal with the high number of requests coming from these schools. We finally gave up and put out DS in a local independent and he's thriving. The difference is astounding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am also puzzled because OP says a "diagnosis" might better support her kid's social emotional needs. But a WISC won't provide a diagnosis or tell you anything about how to support her social emotional needs.

Exactly, if OP wants a diagnosis, she needs a neuropsych eval. An IQ score is not a "diagnosis".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see how a number, especially something as imperfect as an IQ number, is going to tell you anything about raising your child. If it were a question of schooling it would be one thing, but you say the school is meeting her needs. In terms of meeting a child's emotional needs, the number has nothing to do with it. Kids have a variety of emotional needs and you take them as they come.

I'm sorry, it sounds like you are looking for bragging rights. Your posting on a board for those of us with children who do have needs that are difficult to meet. Some of us have kids that are gifted (I do) but thats not why we're here. We're here because they also have anxiety/ADHD/an ASD/a physical disability/a behavior problem/a medical problem. The list goes on.

+1

I don't understand why you are on this board. Does your child have a disability? Being "gifted" is not a disability and will not qualify you for a 504 or IEP. This is a board for parents of kids with Special Needs and asking about a child who is simply "gifted" and without a disability is very insensitive.

OP, please ignore PP. People on this SPECIAL NEEDS (not disability!) forum are generally very helpful.

PP, I suggest you read about the issues that come along with giftedness. OP is right to get on this. I ignored it for years and my DC ended up with anxiety/school refusal and a host of other physical/emotional issues which I suspect were largely due to the fact that DC's needs were not being met in the home school. DC is now at a local independent (not one that specializes in giftedness) and is very happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see how a number, especially something as imperfect as an IQ number, is going to tell you anything about raising your child. If it were a question of schooling it would be one thing, but you say the school is meeting her needs. In terms of meeting a child's emotional needs, the number has nothing to do with it. Kids have a variety of emotional needs and you take them as they come.

I'm sorry, it sounds like you are looking for bragging rights. Your posting on a board for those of us with children who do have needs that are difficult to meet. Some of us have kids that are gifted (I do) but thats not why we're here. We're here because they also have anxiety/ADHD/an ASD/a physical disability/a behavior problem/a medical problem. The list goes on.

+1

I don't understand why you are on this board. Does your child have a disability? Being "gifted" is not a disability and will not qualify you for a 504 or IEP. This is a board for parents of kids with Special Needs and asking about a child who is simply "gifted" and without a disability is very insensitive.

OP, please ignore PP. People on this SPECIAL NEEDS (not disability!) forum are generally very helpful.

PP, I suggest you read about the issues that come along with giftedness. OP is right to get on this. I ignored it for years and my DC ended up with anxiety/school refusal and a host of other physical/emotional issues which I suspect were largely due to the fact that DC's needs were not being met in the home school. DC is now at a local independent (not one that specializes in giftedness) and is very happy.

Your child has anxiety which is a special need. Having a high IQ is NOT a special need... and frankly, I don't want to hear about all the trial and tribulations of kids with high IQs and nothing else on the Special Needs board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see how a number, especially something as imperfect as an IQ number, is going to tell you anything about raising your child. If it were a question of schooling it would be one thing, but you say the school is meeting her needs. In terms of meeting a child's emotional needs, the number has nothing to do with it. Kids have a variety of emotional needs and you take them as they come.

I'm sorry, it sounds like you are looking for bragging rights. Your posting on a board for those of us with children who do have needs that are difficult to meet. Some of us have kids that are gifted (I do) but thats not why we're here. We're here because they also have anxiety/ADHD/an ASD/a physical disability/a behavior problem/a medical problem. The list goes on.

+1

I don't understand why you are on this board. Does your child have a disability? Being "gifted" is not a disability and will not qualify you for a 504 or IEP. This is a board for parents of kids with Special Needs and asking about a child who is simply "gifted" and without a disability is very insensitive.

OP, please ignore PP. People on this SPECIAL NEEDS (not disability!) forum are generally very helpful.

PP, I suggest you read about the issues that come along with giftedness. OP is right to get on this. I ignored it for years and my DC ended up with anxiety/school refusal and a host of other physical/emotional issues which I suspect were largely due to the fact that DC's needs were not being met in the home school. DC is now at a local independent (not one that specializes in giftedness) and is very happy.

That is not OP's issue. Her kid's needs are being met. Your child had emotional issues and physical challenges that were not being met. Totally different situation.

I get really sick of people saying giftedness is a special needs. First of all, a bazillion kids in this area could meet that definition. I can't tell you how many parents I've heard talk about their child's giftedness and their kids are bright to be sure but nothing extraordinary. Parents get some sort of narcissistic pleasure from the label. I can imagine OP coming up with some kind of IQ number and then insisting that her child needs X, Y and Z because he's gifted. This could actually be harmful.

[Anonymous]

This thread reminds me of the thread in OT: Why do people hate the kids of wealthy parents?

Having a high IQ and not having the school system meet all the needs of your genius kid is hard. Just like life can be "hard" for rich kids.

But OP should be asking about getting their kid's IQ tested in General Parenting, OT, AAP, or any of the geographic school forums. Asking about it on the Special Needs forum where people have kids with actual disabilities when your kid does not is a bit much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am also puzzled because OP says a "diagnosis" might better support her kid's social emotional needs. But a WISC won't provide a diagnosis or tell you anything about how to support her social emotional needs.

The diagnosis OP is looking for is "genius".

[Anonymous]

Try MindWell

[Anonymous]

OP here. My kid does have issues, just not issues that a person can expect a school system to solve. The ignorance posted here is so astonishing that I guess I am in the wrong spot for advice. Yes, there are parents out there who get off on having their kid stamped with the gifted label, and they do all families with gifted children a disservice by fueling that ridiculous shaming that the parents of gifted children get. I don't even know if I am one of them, but the fact that you can't even use the word "gifted" without people attacking you just shows how misunderstood it is.

So long as people think that giftedness is just about being smart, and that as long as the kid is getting good grades there is no problem, this population of children will continue to suffer the consequences. They typically display a constellation of emotional and behavioral issues that can turn very negative if not understood and supported appropriately. They are special needs and should be treated as such. It's BS that people think that good grades are all there is to a whole, healthy child.

Not one person could list a private person or company to go to for an evaluation. None of you answered the actual question; you just used the opportunity to post your irrelevant opinions. Moving on to a more informed and less hostile list serve, thanks for nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. My kid does have issues, just not issues that a person can expect a school system to solve. The ignorance posted here is so astonishing that I guess I am in the wrong spot for advice. Yes, there are parents out there who get off on having their kid stamped with the gifted label, and they do all families with gifted children a disservice by fueling that ridiculous shaming that the parents of gifted children get. I don't even know if I am one of them, but the fact that you can't even use the word "gifted" without people attacking you just shows how misunderstood it is.

So long as people think that giftedness is just about being smart, and that as long as the kid is getting good grades there is no problem, this population of children will continue to suffer the consequences. They typically display a constellation of emotional and behavioral issues that can turn very negative if not understood and supported appropriately. They are special needs and should be treated as such. It's BS that people think that good grades are all there is to a whole, healthy child.

Not one person could list a private person or company to go to for an evaluation. None of you answered the actual question; you just used the opportunity to post your irrelevant opinions. Moving on to a more informed and less hostile list serve, thanks for nothing.

If we do not know the types of issues your DC is exhibiting, it is difficult to recommend someone to evaluate. Most of the posts were asking for clarification and more information. If you are just looking for an IQ test, you can go to George Mason. If you look at other threads on this forum, you will see a wide variety of opinions that are written with varying degrees of tone, some are downright hostile. It is not unique to postings about giftedness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. My kid does have issues, just not issues that a person can expect a school system to solve. The ignorance posted here is so astonishing that I guess I am in the wrong spot for advice. Yes, there are parents out there who get off on having their kid stamped with the gifted label, and they do all families with gifted children a disservice by fueling that ridiculous shaming that the parents of gifted children get. I don't even know if I am one of them, but the fact that you can't even use the word "gifted" without people attacking you just shows how misunderstood it is.

So long as people think that giftedness is just about being smart, and that as long as the kid is getting good grades there is no problem, this population of children will continue to suffer the consequences. They typically display a constellation of emotional and behavioral issues that can turn very negative if not understood and supported appropriately. They are special needs and should be treated as such. It's BS that people think that good grades are all there is to a whole, healthy child.

Not one person could list a private person or company to go to for an evaluation. None of you answered the actual question; you just used the opportunity to post your irrelevant opinions. Moving on to a more informed and less hostile list serve, thanks for nothing.

But why do you need a diagnosis if you know this much already? How do you think a label will help in this situation?

Just do the best for your kid - you know them better than anyone.

[Anonymous]

OP people asked Qs to try to be more helpful to you.

People suggested the school system and MindWell. Also suggested AAP forum, and now George Mason.

We know that gifted kids often have social emotional issues. That is why we are recommending a psychoeducational eval or neuropsych. Just an IQ test won't get you what you need. That's aha many are saying but it seems to be hard for you to hear. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. My kid does have issues, just not issues that a person can expect a school system to solve. The ignorance posted here is so astonishing that I guess I am in the wrong spot for advice. Yes, there are parents out there who get off on having their kid stamped with the gifted label, and they do all families with gifted children a disservice by fueling that ridiculous shaming that the parents of gifted children get. I don't even know if I am one of them, but the fact that you can't even use the word "gifted" without people attacking you just shows how misunderstood it is.

So long as people think that giftedness is just about being smart, and that as long as the kid is getting good grades there is no problem, this population of children will continue to suffer the consequences. They typically display a constellation of emotional and behavioral issues that can turn very negative if not understood and supported appropriately. They are special needs and should be treated as such. It's BS that people think that good grades are all there is to a whole, healthy child.

Not one person could list a private person or company to go to for an evaluation. None of you answered the actual question; you just used the opportunity to post your irrelevant opinions. Moving on to a more informed and less hostile list serve, thanks for nothing.

OP, I'm sorry for every child that is suffering. But I think you are reaching here. Really, really reaching. Every child has issues and every child has emotional and behavioral challenges. EVERY SINGLE FUCKING CHILD IN THE UNIVERSE. Your child is not "special needs" because his or her behavior is sometimes challenging. There are kids on this forum who can't go out in public without being stared at. Who can't walk. Talk. Sit up. Eat. Swallow. Go the the bathroom.

Really, I think you need to get real with yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. My kid does have issues, just not issues that a person can expect a school system to solve. The ignorance posted here is so astonishing that I guess I am in the wrong spot for advice. Yes, there are parents out there who get off on having their kid stamped with the gifted label, and they do all families with gifted children a disservice by fueling that ridiculous shaming that the parents of gifted children get. I don't even know if I am one of them, but the fact that you can't even use the word "gifted" without people attacking you just shows how misunderstood it is.

So long as people think that giftedness is just about being smart, and that as long as the kid is getting good grades there is no problem, this population of children will continue to suffer the consequences. They typically display a constellation of emotional and behavioral issues that can turn very negative if not understood and supported appropriately. They are special needs and should be treated as such. It's BS that people think that good grades are all there is to a whole, healthy child.

Not one person could list a private person or company to go to for an evaluation. None of you answered the actual question; you just used the opportunity to post your irrelevant opinions. Moving on to a more informed and less hostile list serve, thanks for nothing.

I get it OP- my kid has the "gifted" label, but also has high levels of anxiety and emotional intensity that surpasses "normal" for most typical kids. May I suggest the Davidson Gifted forum? It's public- many parents there have gifted kids who are 2e (gifted with some other issues and diagnoses). Many have kids who are "gifted" no other official "diagnosis" but very challenging to deal with on a daily basis. It's an amazing forum, nonjudgmental and welcoming. I completely get where the parents on this forum are coming from--it just might not be the right venue for this discussion.