Were you aware that the early identification of having high abilities is crucial for the proper development of children? Many parents notice unusual abilities in their children, but may be confused as to whether they really have high abilities, especially when they do not have clear information on how to identify them. 

How do I know if my child has high abilities?

Is it just part of their development or is it a sign of something else? 

It is important to bear in mind that it is not just a case of recognising that their IQ is high, but also understanding that their mind works in a different way to that of other children. 

A child with high abilities tends to have accelerated cognitive development, intense and specific interests, and high emotional sensitivity. These factors can influence their school performance, social relationships and emotional well-being. For this reason, it is important to know how their mind works, so that we can provide our child with the support they need.

What are high abilities?

High abilities are a set of characteristics that indicate an above-average intellectual potential. They can manifest themselves in different areas such as logical reasoning, creativity, verbal ability or the ability to solve complex problems.

To understand it better, think of it as a seed with the potential to grow into a large and strong tree. However, for that seed to grow into a tree, it needs the right environment: water, light, nutrients and daily care. 

Similarly, a child with high abilities needs an environment that helps to stimulate their emotional and intellectual development. Without this, potential can remain undeveloped, leading to underachievement or even social and emotional problems.

It is therefore essential for parents and educators to understand that a child with high abilities may have very different educational and emotional needs from their peers. Personalised school support can make a big difference in this process, providing the right tools and strategies for academic and personal success.

When is a child considered to have high abilities?

Perhaps you have asked yourself the following question without knowing the answer: How can I tell if my child has high abilities?

Determining whether a child has high abilities is not a simple process and should not be based solely on an intelligence test. The diagnosis is made through a more comprehensive assessment that includes different tests and approaches. It not only measures IQ, but also looks at other aspects such as creativity, personality and emotional development.  

In any case, it is important to be clear that a child with high abilities does not always have to perform exceptionally well academically. In fact, some of these children may experience learning difficulties or social adaptation problems which can often lead to a late or erroneous diagnosis.  

Key signs to identify high abilities in your child

 

While identifying high abilities is not easy, there are certain signs that may indicate advanced cognitive development:

Accelerated cognitive development

Accelerated cognitive development means that a child learns faster than their peers and is able to grasp complex concepts at an early age. For example, your child may show unusual problem-solving skills, an excellent memory or a more advanced vocabulary for their age.

It is important to pay attention to these signs and look for activities that stimulate them, such as books with more depth, logic games or extracurricular workshops.

Intense and specific interests

 

Children with high abilities tend to have very intense and specific interests from an early age. They may become obsessed with a particular subject and devote more time and energy to it than usual. 

This does not mean that they are obsessive in a negative sense, but rather that they have a profound interest in researching and learning about what they like, which often leads them to acquire a great deal of knowledge in these areas, even surpassing adults.

For this reason, in addition to supporting these interests, it is important to give them the opportunity to explore and develop their abilities, which will also help them to feel understood and valued.

High emotional sensitivity

 

Another common characteristic of children with high abilities is a high emotional sensitivity. These children are often extremely empathic and have a deep awareness of their own and others’ emotions. They may be very sensitive to criticism, be overwhelmed by intense emotions or show great concern about certain issues.

Therefore, in order to care for their emotional well-being, it is important that parents and educators offer appropriate emotional support, creating a safe environment where the child can express their emotions and feel understood.

How are those with high abilities diagnosed?

 

The diagnosis of those with high abilities is a complex process that includes cognitive, personality and creativity tests, which is why the participation of specialised professionals is necessary.  

Cognitive assessment

 

Through specific tests, the brain development and cognitive functions of the child are measured and compared with the rest of the population. The most common tests are usually the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) or the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales (RIAS).

Personality assessment 

 

It is also essential to assess the child’s personality in order to understand how it is structured and what its characteristic traits are. In this way, it is possible to identify aspects such as resilience, emotional sensitivity and to discover how the child relates to others. For this purpose, tests such as the ESPQ (Early School Personality Questionnaire) or the TAMAI (Autoevaluative Multifactorial Adaptation Test for Children) are often used.

Assessment of creativity

 

Children with high abilities usually show exceptional creative thinking, have innovative ideas and seek original solutions to complex problems. Tests such as the Test of Infant Creativity (TCI) or the C.R.E.A. Creative Intelligence Test are the most commonly used.

 

If you suspect that your child may have high abilities, it is important that you act as soon as possible to provide the right support and encourage their overall development. By doing so, you will not only be helping them to reach their full potential, but you will also be giving them the tools they need to deal with the challenges that arise along the way.