For Parents

How can I choose a reputable provider of services for my gifted child?
There are many institutions and individuals that provide high-quality services for gifted children, including testing, advice, and educational programming. However, parents should carefully consider their goals and the qualifications of the institution or individual before making a decision about what is right for their child.

Some questions to ask:

• Is the program accredited by a national or regional agency (such as North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, CTD’s accrediting agency)?
• If appropriate, will my child’s high school accept the credit granted by this program?
• Is the program or institution not-for-profit?
• Is the program affiliated with a reputable institution or agency, such as a university, school district, state gifted association, national organization such as College Board, etc.?
• Are the program’s staff members qualified and certified educators? (Ask to see resumes or staff biographies.)
• What sort of evaluation and follow-up materials do students receive after participating in the program? (Ask to see a sample.)
• What are the admission criteria for the program? Programs that advertise themselves as intended for “gifted learners” should require that students demonstrate evidence of above-average learning potential (teacher recommendations, without other supporting information such as test scores, are usually not sufficient).
• Will the pace of this program match my gifted child’s learning pace? Gifted students who are capable of accelerated learning should be matched with a program that will provide a sufficiently challenging pace
• Will the program provide age-peers as well as academic peers? Gifted children benefit tremendously from contact with children of a similar age who are also gifted learners.
• Can I talk to parents whose children are currently enrolled in (or have attended) this program?

Is my child gifted? How can I find out?
If your child has performed in the 95th percentile or above on a standardized achievement test (or if you feel that he would perform this highly if given the opportunity), he or she should participate in a talent search such as CTD’s Midwest Academic Talent Search to determine his or her level of giftedness. According to research, off-level testing (taking a test designed for older students at a younger age) helps determine how far above grade level a child is functioning. This can help educators create an educational plan appropriate to the child’s needs. Talent Searches are a low-cost, easily available way of providing more information about your child’s abilities.

If your child has not been tested, and/or is younger than 3rd grade, and you reside in Illinois, call the Center to schedule an appointment for testing on a Saturday with one of our psychologists. (See Testing FAQ.) CTD can also help you with a referral to a psychologist in your area who provides more comprehensive testing. Also see our resources section for recommended books and articles on identifying giftedness.

My child is gifted. Now what?
You will want to learn as much as you can about three areas: your child and his/her particular abilities; recommendations regarding developing talent in your child’s areas; and the resources available through your school, community, and beyond.

Consider the following:

• Having your child participate in a Talent Search can help you both understand your child’s abilities and how you can help your child develop his or her talents. Talent Search materials will also inform you on how your school can assist you with your student’s education and about special programs available in your geographic area.
• The gifted consultant in your state department of education should have information on state guidelines for gifted programs and any legislation that regulates services for gifted students in your state.
• Your state gifted advocacy organization as well as the National Association for Gifted Children can provide informational conferences, resources such as newsletters and pamphlets, and additional information about programs and resources for gifted students.
• The Resources section of this website will direct you to additional publications, web sites, programs, books, and organizations.
  

How do I know if our school is providing enough for my child?
You should be having regular dialogues with your child about school. From these conversations, discussions with teachers, and school grades, you should determine whether your student’s talents are being encouraged and challenged. Talking with your child will help you understand whether school work provides him or her with a healthy (but not excessive) level of challenge. Talking with your child’s teachers will help you find out whether they perceive your child to be engaged in learning. Is he or she on-task or daydreaming? Is he or she regularly challenged by the work, or does every assignment mean an easy “A”? What is the quality of his or her work in school? You will want to tell the teacher what you observe at home and compare home and school behavior. If it seems clear that your child is not challenged by the pace of the instruction in his or her current school placement, it is time to talk with the school about options for enrichment and/or acceleration. Good grades alone do not mean that your child is being adequately served by his/her school’s curriculum!

How do I work with our school to help our child get what he/she needs?
Educators balance many demands on their time and attention, and children with special needs, such as gifted learners, often present a special challenge to overworked school personnel. As the child’s parent, you must see yourself as his/her educational advocate. It is best to take your child’s education into your hands, arm yourself with knowledge about the school’s resources and your student’s abilities, and try to make a healthy match with the two. Many parents find that taking a cooperative, team-oriented approach to their child’s education is best; they may need to involve the school’s gifted coordinator, the school principal, a subject-area specialist in their child’s area of strength (such as a high school math teacher), and others in order to create a program that meets their child’s particular needs. As your child matures and his/her needs change, you will need to continue to monitor whether current educational placements are still appropriate. Parents who are willing to research alternative learning options will also find that many resources are available when schools are unable to fully meet their children’s needs, including distance education, Saturday programs, and summer programs. Finally, there is growing recognition that homeschooling is the best option for meeting some gifted students’ needs.

What scholarship opportunities are there for gifted students?
CTD has financial aid available for all its programs. CTD’s Resources section provides information on other organizations that provide scholarship aid for gifted students. In addition, students interested in participating in special programs should investigate whether their own school districts or community organizations might provide financial support.

What kinds of enrichment activities can I provide at home?
Parents should supply a rich array of books and educationally oriented magazines at home, and should make a point of taking children on excursions to cultural institutions such as museums, historical societies, concerts, etc., whenever possible. Many communities also provide enrichment programs through park districts, universities, theaters, etc. Depending on your children’s areas of interest, there are many educational products on the market, including software, games, and art materials. The National Association for Gifted Children’s magazine Parenting for High Potential annually publishes a list of recommended toys and books for gifted children. This is a good resource to help you make choices about the materials you purchase for your children. In addition, distance learning programs such as the Center’s Gifted LearningLinks Program can provide high-quality enrichment or accelerated classes that can be used to supplement regular school programs at home.