Finding out that your child may be gifted can bring up a lot of questions. We’ve gathered some of the questions parents ask most often, along with resources from organizations and professionals who specialize in gifted education and support.
Giftedness generally refers to advanced ability or potential in one or more areas compared with their peers. Gifted children may demonstrate advanced reasoning and comprehension, strong curiosity, excellent memory, emotional intensity, or other characteristics, but there is no single profile that describes every gifted child.
There are also different definitions of giftedness, and the criteria used to identify gifted students can vary depending on the school, district, or state.
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Gifted children can show many different characteristics, and no child will necessarily display all of them. Some common signs include learning and understanding new information quickly, asking lots of questions, exploring subjects in unusual depth, demonstrating advanced comprehension, having a strong memory, showing intense curiosity, or displaying emotional depth and sensitivity at a young age.
A child doesn't have to be an exceptional student or have all of these characteristics to be gifted. If you're wondering whether your child may be gifted, a qualified professional can help you determine whether testing or a more comprehensive assessment would be useful.
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Yes. Giftedness and learning differences are not mutually exclusive. Some children are both gifted and have a learning disability, ADHD, autism, or another difference. This is often referred to as twice-exceptional (2e). When a child has both strengths and challenges, one can sometimes mask the other, making it harder to recognize either the child's abilities or their support needs. A qualified professional can help families better understand both.
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Gifted children are individuals first, and their experiences can vary considerably. Some may experience emotional intensity, asynchronous development, perfectionism, frustration, or difficulty finding intellectual peers, while others may not. Like all children, gifted children need support for both their academic and social-emotional development.
For questions about your own child, a good place to start is with a professional who knows your child and can consider their individual needs and circumstances. Your child’s pediatrician, school counselor, psychologist, or another qualified mental health professional may be able to provide guidance or connect you with additional support. Resources about giftedness can also help you better understand some of the experiences gifted children may have.
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Schools often administer assessments to identify or screen students for gifted services. If you’re interested in having your child evaluated outside of school, you can also seek out a qualified psychologist or other professional with experience assessing children.
The right option depends on why you’re seeking testing. School-based testing may be used to determine eligibility for gifted services, while private testing can provide a more detailed picture of a child’s abilities and learning profile. Whichever route you choose, look for a professional who is trained and experienced in assessing children and interpreting cognitive assessments.
Learn more about testing and assessments (NAGC).
IQ tests are designed to measure certain aspects of cognitive ability, but they are only one way of understanding how a child learns and thinks. Test scores can vary depending on the assessment and the circumstances at the time of testing, so a score should be considered a snapshot rather than a complete picture of a child's abilities or potential.
IQ tests aren't designed to be studied for in the way a child might prepare for a school exam. Rather than trying to coach your child toward a particular score, focus on making sure they're rested, comfortable, and understand that they're simply being asked to try their best.
If you're considering testing for a particular purpose, such as school services or Mensa membership, check what type of assessment and documentation that purpose requires before scheduling a test.
Learn more about testing and assessments (NAGC).
Mensa accepts several tests for admissions, but some of the more common ones we see for children include:
Tests must be administered in full by a neutral and qualified third party in a traditional testing environment, under conditions appropriate for the norming standards of each test (such as the office of a private psychologist).
Mensa membership is based on performance in the top 2% of the general population on an approved intelligence test. The qualifying score varies depending on which test was taken. For more information, visit American Mensa's website.
If your child has already taken an accepted intelligence test and scored in the 98th percentile, you do not need to schedule additional testing just for Mensa. We can often accept older scores as long as the documentation is official and complete. If your child has not yet taken an intelligence test, you can check with their school or their pediatrician to see what options are available in your area.
Children aged 14 and older may also take the Mensa Admission Test.
Start by asking your child’s teacher, school counselor, or district gifted education coordinator what services are available and how students qualify. Gifted education varies considerably from one school or district to another, and the services available to your child may depend on your state and school district.
Your state’s education agency may have information about gifted education requirements and services, and your state affiliate of the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) may also be able to help you understand how gifted education works in your state and connect you with additional resources.
Find your state's NAGC affiliate
Talk with your child's teacher or school about what they're seeing and what options may be available. Depending on the child and school, options can include differentiated instruction, flexible grouping, advanced coursework, subject acceleration, or other approaches.
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Opportunities can include camps, classes, academic programs, museums, libraries, community organizations, and online programs. We've collected some organizations and opportunities that may be useful starting points in our Gifted Resources section.
Connecting with other families can be a valuable part of finding community and helping children meet peers with similar interests and experiences. Mensa's local groups and youth programs may provide opportunities to connect, and our Gifted Resources page includes additional organizations and communities.
Join Mensa’s online community for families of gifted children!
American Mensa offers programs, activities, resources, and opportunities for children and teens who are Mensa members, including youth activities through local groups and national programs.
Explore our Youth Programs page to see what's available.
Not necessarily. Some Mensa for Kids resources are available to all families, while certain programs and activities are specifically for Young Mensans. Each program will indicate any membership requirements.