In today’s educational climate, many parents notice that their child doesn’t simply “fit” the standard pace of learning. Maybe they speak in complete sentences far ahead of their peers, solve puzzles effortlessly, or ask big-picture questions that leave you wondering, “Where did that come from?” These may be signs of giftedness – and a gifted assessment is the first step toward understanding and harnessing your child’s unique strengths. At Rocky Mountain Psychological Services (RMPS) in Calgary, we specialize in gifted assessments that go beyond a single number to help families and educators support exceptional learners.

What is Giftedness?

Giftedness refers to children who demonstrate advanced cognitive abilities relative to their same-aged peers—typically falling into the top 2-5 % of the population on measures of intellectual and reasoning ability. Gifted children may excel in verbal reasoning, problem-solving, memory, or processing speed—and are often curious, self-motivated, and quick to make connections others might miss. They may speak earlier, show advanced vocabulary, or become bored by repetition and standard classroom work.

Because these children learn differently—not just “more” than their peers but often at a different pace or depth—it is vital to assess how they think, learn, and perform so families and schools can tailor supports that meet their needs.

Why Consider a Gifted Assessment?

A gifted assessment offers more than just a label. It provides clarity about your child’s thinking style, strengths, and areas where they may need challenge or support. At RMPS, the assessment helps parents and educators understand:

• Whether the child meets criteria for gifted programs or specialized schooling.
• How the child’s cognitive profile relates to their classroom experience—whether they are bored, under-challenged, or struggling despite high ability.
• What steps to take next—be it academic acceleration, enrichment programming, or social/emotional supports for gifted learners who may also feel isolated or perfectionistic.

The Assessment Process at RMPS

At RMPS in Calgary, our gifted assessment is carefully designed to be rigorous, individualized, and supportive. The process generally includes:

Initial Consultation & History Gathering

We begin with a parent interview to discuss your child’s developmental history, educational experience, learning style, and any concerns or goals you have. This helps shape a personalized evaluation plan.

Standardized Cognitive Testing

The core of the assessment is individually administered testing using research-based instruments such as the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fifth Edition (WISC-V) for ages ~6–16, the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence – Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV) for younger children, and sometimes the Stanford‑Binet Intelligence Scales – Fifth Edition (SB-5) depending on age and referral purpose.
These tests assess verbal reasoning, visual-spatial and fluid reasoning, working memory, processing speed, and other areas of cognitive functioning.

Academic Screening & Contextual Information

To understand how cognitive ability translates into school performance, we review school records, report cards, teacher feedback, and sometimes academic screening results. RMPS also examines behavioural, social, and emotional functioning to ensure the picture is holistic—not just test scores in isolation.

Feedback Session & Recommendation Report

After testing, you receive a detailed written report that outlines your child’s cognitive profile, strengths, and areas that may require support or enrichment. During a feedback meeting, the psychologist explains the results in simple, actionable terms and provides guidance on next steps—whether that means applying to a gifted program, adjusting the school plan, or working on social/emotional skills.

When Is the Right Time to Assess?

While giftedness can be apparent early, most assessments are most reliable after children have entered formal schooling—commonly between ages 6 and 12.
You might consider evaluation if your child:

• Learns new ideas extremely quickly;
• Uses language well beyond age expectations;
• Becomes disengaged or challenged by work that is “too easy”;
• Shows intense curiosity or self-driven learning;
• Excels in one subject but appears bored or under-challenged in others; or
• Demonstrates emotional sensitivity, perfectionism, or frustration despite high ability.

Even if your child does not meet formal criteria for a “gifted” designation, the assessment still provides valuable insight into how your child learns and what environments, supports or enrichment might help them thrive.

After the Assessment: Supporting Your Child

Receiving a gifted profile is just the beginning. At RMPS, we emphasize that gifted children still need support and challenge. Key steps following assessment include:

• Working with the school to develop an enrichment plan or individualized program plan (IPP) so your child is learning at the right level and pace;
• Considering academic acceleration or specialized programs (for example, in Calgary the Calgary Board of Education G.A.T.E. program or the Westmount Charter School) if appropriate.
• Addressing social-emotional needs: gifted children may face perfectionism, asynchronous development (thinking ahead of emotional maturity), or under-challenge that leads to disengagement or behavioural issues.
• Encouraging depth and complexity in learning: personal projects, mentorships, problem-based learning, or opportunities to explore advanced topics.
• Monitoring ongoing progress: giftedness is not a static “label” but a way of understanding how a child learns and grows over time.

Why Choose RMPS?

At RMPS, we bring decades of experience in gifted assessment, child and adolescent neuro-development, and individualized clinical support. Unlike basic screening services, we provide a thorough interpretation of test data, taking into account your child’s background, motivations, and emotional factors. This careful approach ensures that we not only identify giftedness but also provide families with meaningful recommendations to support learning, growth and wellbeing.

Final Thoughts

If you’re asking yourself “Could my child be gifted?”, a gifted assessment may provide the answers you’re seeking—and more importantly, a roadmap for how to help your child thrive. Giftedness isn’t just about high scores—it’s about understanding how your child thinks, learns, and engages with the world. With the right support and environment, exceptional learners can flourish academically, socially, and emotionally. At RMPS in Calgary, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.