Parent's Guide to IQ Testing and Gifted Education: All You Need to Know to Make the Right Decisions for Your Child

We were curious about our daughter's advanced abilities and wanted more information. Dr. Palmer's book explained the process of IQ testing and the different aspects of identifying gifted children, as well as explaining gifted education and other educational options. This book helped guide us through the process of identifying our daughter's needs and has assisted us in our ability to advocate for her. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is curious about their child's intelligence and wants some direction and help getting answers. It is a reference we refer to often.

Not just every parent of a gifted child, but every teacher and every guidance counselor of gifted children, too, should read Parent's Guide to IQ Testing and Gifted Education. Palmer explains all in one book, what it took me years of talking to dozens of gifted professionals to learn for myself. And Palmer makes it easy to read, with review points at the end of each chapter - if you're in a hurry, read the review points first, and pick the chapters that answer the questions you have right now. But read the whole book cover to cover when you have time - it's worth it! What do IQ tests measure, and what don't they measure? What's the difference between group and individual tests? How about surveys? What are the different kinds of scores that result from these tests: standard scores, percentiles, and age-equivalent scores? How are gifted children identified by these tests? Which groups of children are commonly under-identified? How does identification vary from school district to school district and state to state? And besides test scores, what are the characteristics commonly found in gifted children? But Parent's Guide to IQ Testing and Gifted Education is not just about tests and testing. It describes various gifted education programs, and how those programs may or may not serve your gifted child. Are there disadvantages to being gifted? Palmer describes common sensitivities of the gifted child, and the possible effects on the child's self-esteem. Gifted children may also suffer from learning disabilities, much to the surprise of parents and teachers alike. In Part III, Palmer points out possible LDs, and identification methods for gifted children with memory, attention, vision or auditory processing problems, and more. What are the options for gifted and learning disabled, also called twice exceptional children? IEPs, resource rooms, aides and more, are discussed. Palmer concludes with a history of the measure of intelligence, IQ tests and testing, nature and nurture, and other discussion topics. If you are the parent of a gifted child, or you suspect you're the parent of a gifted child, you should read this book. And if you are a teacher, you should read this book to learn more about the gifted children in your classroom.

I was interested in learning about IQ testing because I'm considering enrolling my son in a gifted program. I was thrilled to find this book as it answered so many of my questions. It's really written for parents, not academics. This book was especially helpful because it helped explain that many of the behaviors I'm noticing in him are actually because of his giftedness. This is a fabulous resource for anyone who wants to learn how to navigate the IQ testing process. It also helps you understand how the tests are used and what the scores mean. I highly recommend this book to any parent!

Author David Palmer has brought to parents an easy-to-read, concise guide to a large and confusing topic of which children get tested and why they are tested in schools. Having evaluated all ages and types of children, I am familiar with the parents who politely listen to test results, smile and have no questions. This is the book that every teacher, school psychologist, diagnostician and counselor can hand to a parent and be assured that all is explained clearly with Q & A format, bullet points and stories. I highly recommend this book because it takes away the mystery of testing and parents' guilt feelings about a perceived problem. By reading the sections on children's giftedness, strengths and challenging learning problems, parents are better informed to make the right educational decisions. I highly recommend this book to parents as well as teachers and others who influence children's education.

This book was recommended to me by a friend when my child was going through the gifted testing process at school. As far as I know, this is the only book written for parents like me whose kids are being tested and who need to understand gifted screening, IQ testing, gifted programs, and different school options. This book is written by an educational psychologist who has lots of experience and great insider advice for novice parents. This is a great reference for parents - highly recommended!