As the parent of a gifted or talented child, it can sometimes be difficult to know how to best advocate for your son or daughter. Whilst teachers are now much more aware of the needs of highly capable students, not all schools run programs that cater for these exceptional learners. This situation is then further complicated if your child falls into the ‘twice exceptional’ category i.e. is gifted and has a learning difference such as dyslexia. Unless highlighted, your child’s ‘gifts’ can often be overshadowed by his or her difficulties.

 

An educational assessment will provide you with a better understanding of your child’s academic strengths and weaknesses. It will identify areas of learning where enrichment and/or acceleration is required, in addition to any skills that need consolidation.

 

This can enable you to:

• determine the most appropriate way forward (especially important in situations where grade skipping is being considered);

• make more informed decisions about future pathways (school selection & subject selection);

• provide the school with objective information about your child’s academic strengths and weaknesses.

 

I use a number of clinical assessment tools that measure a wide range of skills and abilities including:

 

-  Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (KBIT-2)

-  Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT-III)

-  Kaufman Test of Individual Achievement (KTEA-3)

-  Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-4)

 

The assessment process will involve:

• Parent questionnaire (to be completed at home)

• Assessment (1 x 2-hour session)

• Report writing (allow 3-4 weeks)

• Parent feedback session (30 minutes – optional, additional cost applies)

• Teacher feedback session (45 minutes – optional, additional cost applies)

 

You will be provided with a full report of your child’s results, including recommendations for his or her school.

 

Cost - $600

 

Please note that if you have any concerns about learning difficulties, a comprehensive educational assessment is recommended.