Intellectual Giftedness

Intellectual giftedness is an intellectual ability significantly higher than average. Giftedness is a trait that starts at birth and continues throughout the life-span.

Giftedness is not a marker of success, but rather of aptitude or the inherent ability to learn.

Gifted children often develop asynchronously; their minds are often ahead of their physical growth, and specific cognitive and emotional functions are often at different stages of development. Gifted individuals also experience the world differently, resulting in unique social and emotional issues.

Some research suggests that gifted children have greater psychomotor, sensual, imaginative, intellectual, and emotional "overexcitabilities". (Science Daily)

Gifted with Learning Problems?

Gifted children can have learning problems that may turn out to be learning disabilities. Learning disabilities are best addressed as early as possible, before they become major problems that may affect your child’s self-esteem and progress at school.

Child Assessments

The Child Development Collective provides assessment and therapy service for children aged 0 - 14 who have a physical, sensory or intellectual disability and those with, or at risk of, developmental delay.

• An assessment is a structured evaluation of your child's development—physical, language, intellectual, social, and emotional.
• The ultimate goal of assessing for giftedness is to optimize the child’s abilities by both identifying their unique strengths and recommending appropriate extension programmes and activities at school or home which benefit the child and enhance their learning experience.
• Provide a community and / or centre based service to support families and caregivers to enable their child to reach his / her potential.
• Offer assessments which may include developmental, motor skill, sensory, speech language or psychological.
• We assess and recommend equipment and property modifications to optimise developmental potential and assist with daily management.
• Therapy may be offered to individuals / groups along with home or centre based programmes as appropriate.
• Provide information, education and support relating to the child's condition and needs.
• Advocate for the child and his/her family.
• Refer to other Health Services as appropriate e.g. Orthotics, Social Work, Audiology Service, Infant, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service and other ‘well child’ providers.
• Liaise closely with other Government and Community Agencies working with children in education and welfare areas e.g. Ministry of Education, Oranga Tamariki.