We provide testing for giftedness by evaluating cognitive abilities, intellectual potential, and specific talents or skills. The reasons for referral usually involve school placement, extracurricular activity choices, and specific needs such as membership in the MENSA organization. Our giftedness testing report goes well beyond a yes or no answer when diagnosing giftedness, answering any specific questions you have and providing specific and detailed information about potential opportunities that high IQ may present.
We can do this testing as a standalone or combined with a wider variety of tests to answer other questions and give broader recommendations and conclusions.
We would be happy to talk to you about the reasons why you would be interested in testing for giftedness for yourself or your child, but first, here is an overview of the process and our services.
What Does “Gifted” Mean
Giftedness refers to individuals who demonstrate exceptional abilities or potential in one or more areas compared to others of their age, background, or environment. It is not solely based on high academic achievement; it encompasses a broad range of cognitive, creative, and socio-emotional characteristics.
Pillars of Giftedness
Some key aspects often associated with gifted individuals include:
- High Intellectual Ability: This can manifest in exceptional reasoning, problem-solving skills, memory, or abstract thinking. High IQ scores are often a part of this but are not the only defining factor.
- Creativity: Some individuals may exhibit advanced creativity, original thinking, and unique problem-solving or artistic expression approaches.
- Advanced Learning Potential: They often learn quickly and may require less repetition or guidance to grasp complex concepts.
- Intensities and Sensitivities: They may experience heightened sensitivities or intensities, such as emotional sensitivity, empathy, or a strong sense of justice.
- Diverse Interests and Talents: They may excel in various areas, including academic subjects, arts, music, sports, or leadership. This is often referred to as “multiple intelligences.”
Howard Gardner‘s theories of Intelligence is a good example of how different aspects of giftedness can be organized.
Drawbacks to Giftedness
Identifying and nurturing giftedness is crucial to support these individuals in reaching their full potential. However, it’s also important to recognize that it comes with its own challenges, including feelings of isolation, perfectionism, or asynchronous development (where a child’s cognitive abilities may outpace their emotional or social development). It also does not rule out other challenges that may co-occur, particularly increased anxiety and stress due to overthinking and having high-level goals.
There is also a related drawback in that the idea of being “gifted” does not resonate with people looking for something more descriptive or specific. Prospective employers do not look for someone with that definition; instead, they list certain skills and competencies in job descriptions. For these reasons, our testing digs deeper and goes beyond just a yes/no answer. We list the specific abilities and competencies that led us to that conclusion and what they might mean in the work context. Our goal with testing for giftedness is that you can proudly describe the talents and potential you have under the umbrella of being gifted.
Diagnosing Giftedness Overview
Diagnosing giftedness typically involves standardized testing, observation, and evaluation by trained professionals who identify certain traits and characteristics. It can be a complex undertaking. Here are some of the variables that need to be considered when diagnosing giftedness:
- Behavioral Observations: These involve observing behavior, interests, and interactions. This data can provide valuable insights into abilities that are key to diagnosing giftedness. Teachers, parents, and other caregivers may be asked to provide input on the person’s behavior and development, which can help.
- Review of Developmental History: Reviewing your developmental history, including milestones, educational experiences, and any previous assessments or interventions, can help build a comprehensive understanding of your abilities, needs, and strengths. These, in turn, are important in diagnosing giftedness.
- Multiple Criteria Approach: Diagnosing giftedness often involves considering multiple criteria, including intellectual abilities, academic achievement, creativity, task commitment, and leadership skills.
- Consideration of Cultural and Linguistic Factors: Cultural and linguistic factors that may influence the expression of giftedness should be considered. Standardized tests and assessment tools should be culturally fair and linguistically appropriate.
- Collaboration with Parents and Educators: Collaboration with parents and educators is essential in diagnosing giftedness and supporting gifted individuals. Sharing information and insights can help develop appropriate educational plans and interventions.
It’s important to note that intelligence is a complex and multidimensional trait, and no single test or measure can definitively measure it. Instead, a comprehensive evaluation that considers various aspects of your abilities and characteristics is necessary for an accurate diagnosis. Additionally, giftedness exists on a spectrum, and individuals may demonstrate different strengths and abilities within different domains. Our testing report will not just provide a yes/no diagnosis of giftedness, but rather will go into a detailed exploration.
Why Get Giftedness Testing
Getting tested for giftedness can offer important benefits. Here are a few reasons why it might be considered:
Understanding and Responding To Abilities
Testing for giftedness can identify exceptional abilities in specific areas, such as intellectual, creative, artistic, or leadership capacities. It helps understand a person’s strengths and areas where they might excel. In turn, testing for giftedness can help identify opportunities for advanced learning, specialized courses, and enrichment activities that cater to the needs of these individuals. Testing may be a requirement for entry into these programs.
Testing for Giftedness and Tailored Education
For children, being identified as cognitively talented can lead to tailored educational plans that suit their learning pace and style. It allows educators to provide appropriate challenges and support, preventing boredom or under-stimulation in traditional classroom settings. Some children might also need support in managing the complexities of having a high IQ, such as heightened sensitivities, asynchronous development, or social and emotional challenges. Testing can lead to accessing appropriate resources or counseling.
Testing for Giftedness and Personal Development
Knowing one’s abilities can boost confidence and self-esteem for adults. It allows individuals to embrace their strengths and uniqueness, fostering personal development and a sense of identity. Also, as with children, testing for giftedness can help adults manage some of the same complexities.
Career and Vocational Guidance
Giftedness testing can guide career choices. It can help individuals identify fields where their talents can be maximized and provide clarity when making career decisions. For this reason, testing for giftedness can be a part of our career testing services. Employers may hire us to provide this testing for groups of employees.
Specific Situations Relative to Intellectual Ability
Testing for giftedness is used in certain situations, such as the MENSA organization and other groups.
It’s important to note that giftedness is multifaceted and can manifest differently in various individuals. Testing alone might not capture the entirety of an individual’s potential, and it should be used as a tool in conjunction with other observations and assessments. Ultimately, the decision to pursue testing for giftedness should involve careful consideration of the potential benefits and your or your child’s specific circumstances and needs. We would be happy to talk that through.
Giftedness Testing Process
Providing appropriate educational opportunities, enrichment programs, and support tailored to their unique needs and interests is essential in helping individuals thrive. Thus, testing can be valuable in describing whether or not a person is “gifted” and their particular traits and potential. Here are some common methods used in giftedness testing for individuals:
IQ Testing for Giftedness
We usually start with Intelligence Quotient (IQ) tests like the Most commonly used WISC or the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales to assess traditional intellectual abilities across various domains, such as verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed. While this is not the only step, these tests provide a baseline and suggest a path forward for additional testing.
Achievement Testing for Giftedness
Achievement tests evaluate a person’s knowledge and skills in specific subjects or areas, identifying advanced capabilities in academic disciplines like mathematics, language arts, or sciences. This testing can confirm that the person’s high IQ has led to excellent performance, or sometimes that despite high IQ, performance has suffered due to a lack of opportunity to express it.
Specific Talent Assessments
For individuals exhibiting exceptional abilities or talents in specific areas (such as music, arts, athletics, etc.), specialized assessments or portfolios of work may be used to identify and measure their level of expertise in those domains. We do not provide these specific talent assessments, given that they are best performed by someone with much more knowledge and experience in these specific areas than we do. Still, we have connections in many areas and can refer you as part of our comprehensive assessment.
Behavioral Observations and Questionnaires
Depending on the type of giftedness being assessed, we may use behavioral observations in different settings, along with questionnaires or checklists completed by parents, teachers, or individuals, to gather information about behaviors, interests, and learning preferences.
Case Examples
The following are fictitious examples of giftedness assessments.
Testing for Giftedness in an Adolescent
Alex is a 14-year-old 9th grader who has performed well in school but has recently begun showing signs of disengagement and boredom in class. Alex’s teachers describe them as highly curious, often asking complex questions beyond the scope of the curriculum. However, Alex also tends to zone out during repetitive tasks and has expressed frustration with the lack of intellectual challenge in school.
Alex’s parents and teachers requested a giftedness assessment to better understand Alex’s cognitive strengths and advocate for appropriate academic accommodations.
Giftedness Assessment Process
- Cognitive Testing (IQ Assessment)
- Tool Used: Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V)
- Findings: Alex scored in the 99th percentile in Verbal Comprehension and Fluid Reasoning, with exceptionally high scores in abstract thinking and vocabulary. Processing Speed was average, indicating that while Alex excels in higher-order thinking, they may struggle with tasks requiring speed and repetition.
- Achievement Testing
- Tool Used: Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement
- Findings: Alex demonstrated advanced reading comprehension skills (college-level) and exceptional mathematical reasoning abilities.
- Creativity and Divergent Thinking Assessment
- Tool Used: Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT)
- Findings: Alex scored highly in originality and fluency, showing a strong ability to generate unique and innovative ideas.
- Social-Emotional Assessment
- Tool Used: Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC-3)
- Findings: Alex showed signs of mild anxiety, primarily stemming from feelings of isolation and a lack of connection with peers who share similar intellectual interests.
Diagnosing Giftedness and Recommendations
Diagnosis:
Alex meets the criteria for diagnosing giftedness, with exceptional strengths in verbal reasoning, fluid reasoning, and creative problem-solving.
Recommendations:
- Academic Enrichment: Placement in advanced or honors courses, participation in gifted programs, or dual enrollment in college-level courses.
- Differentiated Instruction: Teachers should provide Alex with more challenging, project-based learning opportunities.
- Social Support: Encourage participation in extracurricular activities with like-minded peers, such as academic clubs or competitions.
- Counseling: Support for managing social anxiety and improving social connections.
Outcome:
With appropriate academic adjustments and social support, Alex began thriving in school again, showing renewed enthusiasm for learning and forming meaningful connections with peers.
Testing for Giftedness in an Adult, Case Example
Jamie is a 28-year-old freelance graphic designer who has always felt different from peers. She often finds herself deeply absorbed in creative projects, working long hours with intense focus, but she also frequently feels frustrated in team settings, where tasks seem overly structured or slow-paced. Jamie reports a history of being labeled as “smart but unmotivated” during her school years and often experiences boredom in traditional educational settings.
Jamie seeks assessment to understand her cognitive strengths better and whether she might be gifted. She hopes this insight will help her make informed decisions about their career path and personal growth.
Giftedness Assessment Process
- Cognitive Testing (IQ Assessment)
- Tool Used: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV)
- Findings:
- Verbal Comprehension: 98th percentile — exceptional ability to understand and articulate complex verbal concepts.
- Perceptual Reasoning: 99th percentile — excellent visual-spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills.
- Processing Speed: 70th percentile — slightly lower scores suggest slower performance on routine or repetitive tasks.
- Working Memory: 85th percentile — strong short-term memory and ability to manage multiple pieces of information.
- Achievement Testing
- Tool Used: Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement (WJ-IV)
- Findings: Jamie performed exceptionally well in creative problem-solving tasks and abstract reasoning, with advanced skills in written expression and analysis.
- Emotional and Social Assessment
- Tool Used: Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT)
- Findings: Jamie scored highly in emotional perception and understanding but struggled slightly with emotional regulation, especially when her creativity felt stifled.
- Personality and Gifted Traits Assessment
- Tool Used: Overexcitability Questionnaire (OEQ-II)
- Findings: Jamie exhibited high levels of Intellectual Overexcitability (intense curiosity and a love of learning), Imaginational Overexcitability (vivid imagination and creativity), and Emotional Overexcitability (heightened emotional sensitivity).
Diagnosing Giftedness and Recommendations
Diagnosis:
Jamie demonstrates traits consistent with intellectual giftedness, characterized by advanced verbal reasoning, perceptual reasoning, and heightened emotional and intellectual sensitivities.
Recommendations:
- Career Guidance: Explore roles that allow for independence, creativity, and problem-solving, such as entrepreneurship, design leadership, or consulting.
- Cognitive Stimulation: Engage in intellectually stimulating activities, such as learning new skills, attending workshops, or participating in creative collaborations.
- Emotional Support: Work with a counselor familiar with gifted adults to address emotional regulation and feelings of isolation.
- Peer Connections: Join communities or online groups for gifted adults to find like-minded individuals with similar cognitive and emotional experiences.
- Work Environment Adjustments: Create flexible workspaces that allow deep focus without constant interruptions.
Outcome:
With a better understanding of her cognitive profile, Jamie began pursuing freelance projects aligned with her creativity and problem-solving strengths. She also joined a local gifted adults’ community group, where they found a sense of belonging and validation.
Our Giftedness Assessments
It’s important to note that giftedness is not always identified solely by traditional measures like IQ tests, so we often provide a more complete battery of tests to provide the depth of information that will be most helpful. High IQ can manifest differently and might be visible in specific domains or talents rather than across all areas. Moreover, diagnosing gifted and talented people can be influenced by factors such as cultural background, environment, and personal experiences, another reason why we often go well beyond the traditional Intelligence Quotient (IQ) in these assessments. This is especially true with our testing for twice-exceptional students (those who are gifted but have emotional, learning, or social challenges).
We would be happy to discuss the type of giftedness testing you are looking for for yourself or your child and what questions you hope to get answered. We can also discuss testing or diagnosing giftedness in general and its opportunities and challenges. Contact us or schedule a consultation anytime.
