(UPDATE: Dr. Davids is not conducting private evaluations at this time. This page is for informational purposes only.) Gifted/IQ Testing FAQ
Dr. Stacy Davids, licensed psychologist, offers Gifted/IQ evaluations within the Greater Miami and Ft. Lauderdale areas (Miami-Dade and Broward counties). Since much of her time is spent writing and working as a school psychologist, she prefers to limit her private practice to Gifted testing only. She does not normally provide private counseling or special education evaluations.
General Info
To be eligible for a Gifted program in the public school system, a student must be administered an IQ test by a qualified professional. In some cases, other factors can be taken into consideration, such as ESOL level, Free/Reduced Lunch status, and academic scores. Using those factors, the minimum IQ eligibility requirement is on a sliding scale.
What is an IQ test?
IQ (Intelligence Quotient) tests measure various cognitive abilities, such as verbal reasoning, visual/spatial reasoning, memory, and processing speed. These tests yield Full Scale IQ scores, and also, cluster or index scores separating the different areas. An IQ test is not an academic test.
Should my child be evaluated?
Deciding to test your child for a Gifted program is a personal decision. There is no right or wrong answer. The student should not feel pressured into taking the test.
What happens if my child doesn’t meet the IQ requirement for the Gifted program?
Nothing.☺ Life is the same as before the evaluation. Many parents and students are happy with regular or advanced (honors) classes. Also, depending on the age of the children, some parents do not tell them the test is specifically for the Gifted program. After the evaluation, parents may feel they have a better understanding of their child’s cognitive processing.
What is the required score for a Gifted program?
Miami-Dade and Broward Counties have different criteria. After you contact Dr. Davids, she can discuss the details with you regarding each county’s Plan A and Plan B criteria. Nationally speaking, a student meets the criteria if he or she obtains a Full Scale IQ score of 130.
How much does it cost?
Dr. Davids charges an average rate. The fee includes test administration, scoring, interpretation, report writing, and consultation to discuss the results. Please contact her for the specific fee. Reminder: Gifted evaluations are offered for free in the public school system.
Okay, sounds good. Now what do I do?
If you are a parent or legal guardian, and wish to have your child evaluated, you can contact Dr. Davids by clicking here. Note that, since she works for the public school system, she prefers not to be a "second opinion" if your child has already been tested by the school system.
Feel free to ask Dr. Davids for more info and pricing details. Providing the following information would be helpful:
a) Parent name, b) Age of child, c) Your contact #’s/email, d) What city within Miami-Dade or Broward County, e) Name of child’s school,
f) Whether student has been previously evaluated, and g) Any other relevant info.
--Dr. Stacy Davids
FL Lic. #PY5870