Here is our experience: http://my-little-poppies.com/giftedness-to-test-or-not-to-test/

One thing to consider is the ceiling effect. My son is 6. We had him tested one month after turning six and he hit all ceilings of the WISC so scores are an underestimate of his abilities. Had we waited, it would have been more of an issue.

I'm hoping someone can speak to this, as we are in the same boat.

MamaBearto3, we also had an outside OT eval done and that addressed the SPD more in depth but the psychologist was very helpful in explaining to me how very common it is to have sensory difficulties when you are PG. She helped put it into a context which certainly helped with my understanding of him, and with my level of patience with some of the behaviors.

My DS6 is the same way. They had a book show and tell one month this year. Instead of bringing show and tell, they brought a book and read it to the class (at their level). He was verrrrry anxious about it. He eventually did read the book but he hates when people comment on his reading. I recall feeling very self-conscious about my reading ability when I was in K/first grade, too. So, I have no advice but I do understand.

I haven't read all the replies but we went back and forth about testing my 6 year old. He was in a half-day K program this year and it was not working well. We ultimately decided to have him tested to tease out some other difficulties (ADHD like behaviors, sensory processing difficulties). We used an evaluator recommended on the Hoagies' Gifted Ed page-- someone with years of experience working with gifted learners. We are so happy that we decided to test because what we thought we knew about him was not entirely correct. Example: he is a voracious reader and prolific writer. We naturally assumed he was more of a verbal/auditory-sequential learner. Well, he blew the top off of all the PRI subtests, and he's three grades ahead in MATH when we haven't done any math instruction at home (and, really, in K they don't do much in school). We also knew he was gifted but we didn't know he'd be profoundly gifted- and that also helped put the ADHD like stuff and the SPD stuff into context. Moreover, it helped us to go with our gut and homeschool from here on out. Good luck with whatever path you choose.

This is so helpful. Thank you all!

For those of you who have been there done that, what did your day/week look like? He learns so quickly. I don't want to go overboard but I also do not want to do nothing, if that makes sense. I know that kids learn all day but how much of your day is spent schooling? I'm just trying to visualize what it might look like.

Yes, he is. I knew he was gifted but not to this extent. Testing was an eye opener :) I have two others (4.5 & 2.5).

This is great. He has already fallen for Penrose and Sir Cumference. We have the first LOF but he doesn't love it. Math Mammoth really looks great. Where do I find the best prices? I was definitely in denial because he's reading well above where I estimated him to be and we literally just started on math this spring (at his request) and the psychologist referred to him as "mathy"... this is going to be one interesting journey!

I am probably going to have a million questions now that I have found this forum. My apologies in advance! My son is wrapping up a 1/2 day K program and we are 99% sure we will homeschool next year. He is profoundly gifted and apparently very mathy. I always did well in math but it's not an area that I feel particularly comfortable in. He recently expressed interest in math so I started with nightly bedtime math and various storybooks about math and then a friend suggested ixl so I started him on that. He's zooming through it independently, but there is no teaching. For those of you who have been there done that, what math curriculum have you liked? I am looking into MM, BA, Khan. Just wondering what has worked for others and why. Thanks!!

Thank you!

I have IQ and achievement but perhaps I'll include some works samples to play it safe. Thank you.

Thank you all! I literally laughed out loud at the Magic Treehouse # infinity behind the bed because THAT is my life right now. Or, more precisely, last summer although I do still find them in odd places! I am going to research Math Mammoth now!!

I've also been told to apply but I believe if your test scores meet the criteria, you do not need to send work. Am I wrong? I've heard that they aren't as great as they once were but I'm desperate at this point. I would love to find some local-ish parents and some kids that "get" my little guy.