There is a lot of confusion and misunderstanding about gifted children. Here, Mensa's gifted child consultant, Lyn Allcock tries to separate the facts from fiction:

 

FICTION

Gifted children are the product of well educated middle-class families

Gifted children are the product of pushy parents

Gifted children are so bright they will do well anyway

Gifted children think they are better than other children

Gifted children are small, weedy, wear glasses and hate sport/PE

Gifted children lose their abilities as they get older

 

FACT

Gifted children often have trouble coping with their intellect

Gifted children learn more quickly than other children

The gap in intellect between gifted children and average children is the same as between average children and those deemed to need special education

Gifted children get bored easily

Many gifted children have trouble socialising with their peers

Gifted girls are often more difficult to identify

Gifted children can have Specific Learning Difficulties

Teachers can be antagonistic towards gifted children

 

 

The Mensa Supervised IQ Test is suitable for children aged over ten and a half years. Younger children should be assessed by an educational psychologist to find out their IQ score - your local health authority or education authority can help you to find professionals in your area.

 

Mensa also offers a Schools IQ Testing programme