Superior Ability Concerns
By Inderbir Kaur Sandhu, Ph.D
Q:
My 9 year old has recently taken the The Kaufman Brief Intelligence
Test, Second Edition (KBIT2) and I am confused about
the results I received. The paper shows a graphical profile between 40
and 160, aside from this the back of the results pages states it is not
an IQ score and children tend to score higher on a comprehensive IQ test
than of an abilities test. My son scored:
Verbal Knowledge 33 Riddles 38 = Verbal 71 - Standard Score 122
Matrices 44 = Non-Verbal 144 = IQ Composite 266
WHAT????? I know he is smart but what steps should I take to nurture
this little mind? Should I have his IQ tested? He attends Edmond Public
Schools in Oklahoma and when he was in Kindergarten his teacher wanted
him tested for a learning disability. Daycare, pre-school teachers swore
he was autistic. Since his first grade year his teachers have noticed he
catches on very quickly and although he is in 3rd grade (I held him back
in Kindergarten) he is on a 5th grade math level and a 6th grade reading
level and his teachers just keep moving him forward out of fear of his
getting board which they see does happen.
I am a bit intimidated I want
him to be the best he can be but I don't want to push him because he has
always pushed himself very hard. He is my little fact machine and he
craves knowledge but I want him to keep him grounded and not let him
forget that there is more to life than learning everything you see,
hear, touch, and think about. He knows he is smart and he shows it off,
which I wish he would not do so much as we also have a 9th grader in LD
classes on a 4th grade math level and 6th grade reading level. He Any
advice on any of this, internet links, summer camps, that I may want to
check out would be wonderful.
A:
The graphical profile is between 40 and 160, which is the range of IQs
the verbal, non verbal and IQ composites scores. The non verbal scores
indicate very high abilities. The standard score indicates above average
(above 131 is the upper extreme). Here, there appears to be a rather
large discrepancy of the verbal and non verbal components, which is why
a comprehensive IQ test is recommended. In this case, I believe a
comprehensive test may capture his strengths and weaknesses in more
detail. Note that the KBIT-2 samples only limited areas of cognitive
functioning and does not measure processing speed or working memory
constructs.
He is definitely very advanced based on your description and some of his
scores but a comprehensive test would determine his abilities better. I
feel you should not be holding him back as he needs that mental
stimulation to keep him for burning out. He appears very determined as
well since very few kids at his age would push themselves. I do
understand that pushing oneself too hard has its downside - a common
trait of gifted children; perfectionism.
I somehow feel that a regular school curriculum will not be suitable for
him and he definitely needs to fulfill his cognitive hunger. A planned
and individualized program may be best suited for him. You did not
mention any other concern so I would rule out any specific behavioral
concern. If there is an association for gifted children, you may want to
join and share your concerns and experiences.
Last but not least, just because his siblings are not at the same level
as he is, it is very unfair to hold him back. He needs to be allowed to
flourish. Burning out is just one setback - there are other emotional
concerns as well when a child does not get the stimulation required for
his cognitive functioning level. You may want to approach someone at his
school to discuss your concerns and determine if the school can do
something about it. They could perhaps suggest something useful that is
available. You may also find this forum useful -
Circle of Moms and
Gifted Children in the classroom.
Good luck!
|
Checkout these other IQ questions
