Because gifted children learn at an accelerated rate, they have special needs when it comes to their education and academic environment. Getting your child tested for academic aptitude at an early age can help ensure their success in school and later on in life.
However, certain criteria must be met in order for a child to be identified as gifted. As with the rest of Colorado, in Denver, gifted and talented screening is required prior to a child to being admitted into a gifted education program.
As a parent with a gifted child, you probably have some questions about this process. In this article, we’ll cover some of the basics of what to expect for the gifted testing process as well as identifying characteristics and behaviors.
Common Characteristics of Gifted Children
As with all children, no one gifted child is the same as another. Therefore, characteristics and behaviors among gifted children tend to vary widely. However, there are some common personality traits and features that gifted children often share. These include:
- High levels of alertness and awareness
- Ability to learn new concepts quickly and easily
- Excellent problem-solving skills
- Ability to recall events and memories in detail
- An extended vocabulary and use of complex sentences
- Displays compassion and empathy towards others
- Emotional sensitivity
- Tendency to display a perfectionist attitude
- Strong concern for what is moral
- Unusual patterns of inattentiveness or focus
- Highly imaginative and creative
Gifted & Talented Testing FAQ
If you’re planning on going to a facility for child gifted and talented testing in Denver, you probably have some questions about your visit. The Colorado Department of Education has a great online article devoted to FAQ for gifted and talented testing. However, we’ve also outlined some answers to commonly asked questions here for your convenience:
Q: What is the earliest age a child can be tested for giftedness?
Many school districts start screening for gifted and talented potential at the second-grade mark. However, there are many considerable advantages to having your child tested early on. Colorado law requires all public schools to identify and serve students between the ages of five and twenty-one. However, some districts do have an Early Access plan that allows children to be admitted into a gifted program at the age of four years old.
Q: How is a child referred for gifted identification?
A child can be referred for gifted identification by a number of sources. Colorado laws strongly encourage this. Referral sources can be parents, teachers, coaches, or students. However, a referral does not necessarily mean admittance. After a referral is made, there is a 30 day time period in which an identification team has to make a decision about whether the child will be formally identified or if additional testing is needed.
Q: What assessments are used for gifted/talented testing?
School districts have a number of different assessments that they can use for establishing identification. These include the WISC, WIAT, GORT and CELF. At Emerge, we offer both screenings for giftedness as well as Comprehensive Gifted Evaluation.
For more information on gifted and talented testing, you can visit the website for the Colorado Department of Education or contact our office.
Schedule an Appointment
If you would like to learn more about gifted and talented testing requirements in Denver or are interested in obtaining an evaluation, please feel free to contact our office. We will be more than happy to assist you and/or help you schedule an appointment.