THE ASSESSMENT
What is a giftedness assessment?
A giftedness assessment is a standardized evaluation of cognitive abilities, including verbal reasoning, visual-spatial thinking, fluid reasoning, working memory, and processing speed. It determines whether abilities fall in the gifted range and provides a detailed profile of strengths.
Where helpful, it can also look at academic skills and social-emotional wellbeing, and screen for twice-exceptionality.
Cognitive abilities
Reasoning, working memory, and processing speed, compared with same-age peers.
Academic skills (optional)
Whether reading, writing, and math are keeping pace with ability.
Social and emotional needs (optional)
Perfectionism, intensity, or anxiety that can come with high ability.
WHEN TO CONSIDER
When an assessment may help
These are some of the reasons families reach out to us.
01
Learning quickly
Your child learns quickly, thinks deeply, or seems well ahead of peers.
02
Bored or disengaged
Clear ability, but little interest or effort at school.
03
Program applications
You are applying to gifted or enriched programs at public or private schools.
04
Uneven performance
Strong in some areas, but struggling in others.
05
Intensity or perfectionism
Big feelings, high standards, or worry about mistakes.
06
A possible learning difference
High ability may be masking, or masked by, ADHD or a learning disability.
OUR APPROACH
Twice-exceptional learners recognized: we screen for ADHD, learning disabilities, and other differences.
The whole child: attention to social and emotional needs alongside academic ones.
Flexible scope: a cognitive-only assessment or a broader one, based on your questions.
Practical guidance: recommendations for enrichment, appropriate challenge, and support at home.
A gifted learner can also have a learning difference. When strengths and challenges mask each other, both can be missed.
The right conditions for accurate results
We pace sessions to your child, offer breaks, and create a calm, predictable setting, so that standardized testing reflects what your child can truly do.
THE PROCESS
The assessment, step by step
A cognitive-only assessment can often be completed in one session. A broader assessment may take 2 sessions.
Step
What happens
Why it matters
Free consultation
A 15-minute call about your child and your goals
Helps decide the right scope for the assessment
Parent interview
Development, interests, school experience, and your questions
Context for understanding the results
Cognitive assessment
Standardized measures of reasoning, memory, and processing speed
Determines whether abilities fall in the gifted range
Optional measures
Academic testing and social-emotional questionnaires
Answers questions about achievement, attention, or wellbeing
Report and feedback
A written report, reviewed with you in a feedback meeting
Clear results and practical next steps
AFTER THE ASSESSMENT
What you receive
01
A clear profile of strengths
An objective, detailed picture of your child's cognitive abilities.
02
A written report
Signed by a registered psychologist, and usable for gifted identification and program applications.
03
Practical recommendations
Ideas for enrichment, appropriate challenge, and emotional support.
04
A feedback meeting
Time to ask questions and plan next steps together.
Meet the assessment team
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What age should my child be for a giftedness assessment?
We assess children, teens, and young adults ages 2 to 21. Cognitive results become more stable with age, and many school boards begin gifted screening in Grade 3, so we are happy to discuss the best timing for your child during your consultation.
Will the results be accepted by my child's school board?
Our reports use the same standardized measures schools use. Each school board and private school sets its own criteria for gifted identification, so we recommend confirming their specific requirements.
What is twice-exceptionality?
A twice-exceptional (2e) learner is gifted and also has a learning disability, ADHD, autism, or another learning difference. These students are often missed because their strengths and challenges can mask each other.
How should I prepare my child?
No studying is needed. Make sure your child is well rested and has eaten, and let them know they will spend time working with a friendly clinician who will explain each task.
How much does it cost, and is it covered by insurance?
Fees depend on whether the assessment is cognitive-only or includes additional components. We will give you a clear quote during your free consultation. We can also submit a predetermination to confirm your coverage before you begin.
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ASSESSMENT
A comprehensive look at learning, attention, and emotional wellbeing.