What is Giftedness?

“Giftedness is exceptional potential and/or performance across a wide range of abilities in one or more of the following areas: general intelligence, specific academic, creative thinking, social, musical, artistic, and kinesthetic.” ~ Alberta Education

A child coded* as “gifted” qualifies as a Special Education student who is entitled to an Individualized Program Plan (IPP).
*Code 80, Alberta Education, Special Education Code

A gifted student assessment is required for your child’s admission to a Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program or Charter School. Some GATE programs may require an academic skills assessment to evaluate reading, writing, math and language skills. Find out which assessments you need to apply to your preferred GATE program(s).

Typically, an assessment for giftedness in children examines cognitive processes that underlie your child’s learning ability, sometimes referred to as an Intelligence Quotient or IQ Test:

• Language processing

• Phonological processing

• Working memory

• Visual-spatial process, etc.

Various Calgary-area schools offer gifted programs:

• Louis Riel ​School​ | Grade 4 - 9

• Hillhurst School | Grade 4 - 6

• Queen Elizabeth High School | Grade 7 - 12

• Henry Wise Wood High School | Grade 10 - 12​​​

Wesmount Charter School also offers gifted education in Calgary. The school serves approximately 1,200 diverse students including English as an Additional Language (EAL), special education needs (twice exceptional), underachieving, and high achieving.

Gifted Assessment

Duration

• 2-4 weeks from Intake to Debrief session

Process

• Initial Intake with parents (1 hour)

• One assessment session with your child (up to 3 hours)

  • If your child also requires academic testing, we will need an additional session.

  • Though sessions are usually during the school day, the assessment benefits outweigh missed class time

• Debrief session (2 hours)

Cost

• Our fees should not be a barrier to your child getting help.
  Contact Tanya to discuss your options

  • NOTE: Many private and employer benefit plans provide coverage for psychological services. We recommend you speak with your insurer to determine coverage for these services. You may be able to claim costs for psychoeducational assessments, counselling, or consultation not covered by insurance as a medical expense on your income tax.