Psychologists Familiar With Testing the Gifted and Exceptionally Gifted

The question is often asked, Who should I get to test my gifted child? My highly gifted child? What psychologist is in my area, who is familiar with the ceilings on the commonly administered individual IQ tests like the Wechsler (WPPSI or WISC) and Stanford-Binet (SB-5)? Who is (if noted) familiar with giving the supplemental Stanford-Binet Form L-M (SB L-M, the 'Old Binet')?

This list includes a few people across the country and the world, who understand the moderately, highly, exceptionally, and profoundly gifted; psychologists who can give us the information we so desperately seek about our children, their abilities, their weaknesses; and a few of whom still offer the SB L-M - look for (SB L-M) in the entries of those who give this test as a supplemental measure, after a modern individual IQ test.

This list is the beginning of an answer, but comes with many caveats. First and foremost, psychologists are listed here by unsolicited parent or peer recommendations. Testers cannot 'self-recommend' to get on this list. Presence on this list does not confirm a specific professional is the 'right' tester for your gifted child. Contact the prospective tester, and speak to her/him in advance. Find out what tests s/he offers, what feedback s/he provides.

Confirm that the tester 'feels right' for your family and your child, has experience with gifted children, particularly those of your child's age. Confirm her/his experience with various levels of giftedness, no matter how moderately gifted you suspect your child is - many of us have had huge shocks after professional testing - and experience with twice exceptional gifted children. Discuss any learning differences or suspicions that you have, in advance; some testers are not comfortable or experienced with twice exceptional children. Read the tester's published writings, and visit their website, if applicable.

Ask about the tester's fees, what costs you will incur, optional costs you may incur, and payment options. Fees for administering tests, for scoring those tests, and for preparing the assessment report, can vary dramatically even within one geographic area. A tester should be able to explain potential fees before any money is paid, including any optional costs due to additional assessment that become necessary as testing reveals additional questions.

Know what you want and/or need from the testing: recommendations, what specific tests your school or other organization will and won't accept, and make sure the tester knows in advance, and isn't planning to use the 'wrong' tests. Make sure that (if you don't already have them) you are getting at least an individual IQ test: generally the Wechsler (WPPSI for under age 6-0 only - never older, or WISC for kids age 6-0 to under 16-0) or Stanford-Binet 5 (SB-5), and an individual achievement test. If the child is late-elementary age or grade or older, confirm that the WJ-III achievement test will be used, rather than the Wechsler (WIAT), Peabody (PIAT), Kaufman (K-TEA), or other lower-ceiling achievement test will be used. Learn what will, and will not, be included in the final report. Will you get a slimmed down report for your schools, if you need it?