High Learning Potential FAQs - Giftedness and IQ Testing - Parenting Support

Oct 3, 2026

Uploaded by Aldword

Frequently asked questions address high learning potential, commonly discussed alongside “giftedness,” including how to recognise differences, whether IQ testing is always necessary, and how such children are identified in schools. The content explains that exceptional ability is not universal across all areas and may involve social and emotional needs. It also covers Dual or Multiple Exceptionality (DME) possibilities and outlines pathways for assessment, such as Potential Plus UK High Learning Potential Assessment, educational psychologists, and Mensa supervised IQ testing.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

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Reading Time13 min

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What is 'Giftedness'?

Should I have my child's IQ tested?

Are children with high learning potential exceptional in all areas?

Can children with high learning potential also have special education needs?

What is 'Giftedness'? Should I have my child's IQ tested? Are children with high learning potential exceptional in all areas? Can children with high learning potential also have special education needs? How are high learning potential children identified in schools? Does the ordinary school curriculum work for children with high learning potential? Where can I get information on grants, scholarships or bursaries available for my child with high learning potential? Where can my child meet other children with high learning potential? What is 'Giftedness'? ‘Giftedness’ is a difficult concept to define; the very word ‘gifted’ can bring up a number of negative connotations based upon superiority and elitism. In a society where differences are not always easily tolerated, it can be a difficult step to take in recognising that your child is indeed different and is possibly ‘gifted’. However, it is incredibly important for parents to acknowledge and support their child’s exceptional potential, abilities and talent. Most parents who contact Potential Plus UK are reluctant to use the word ‘gifted’ about their own child as it seems boastful to do so. Their past experiences of talking to others about their gifted child often prove to be quite negative as many people cannot understand what it is like to raise a ‘gifted’ child. People may wrongly assume that everything is plain sailing when it comes to parenting a highly intelligent child. There is a distinct lack of awareness of the often intense and hypersensitive nature of gifted children. Many gifted children also have a special educational need such as dyslexia, ADHD or Asperger syndrome. This is termed Dual or Multiple Exceptionality (DME) . When parents contact Potential Plus UK for support in raising their child, they are not proclaiming that their child is perfect or is a genius. Rather, this is an important first step in realising that their child requires a distinctly different and creative approach to both parenting and education. Potential Plus UK prefers the term ‘High Learning Potential’ rather than ‘gifted’ as a way of defining the key characteristics that we have been supporting since 1967, when Potential Plus UK was founded. We fully understand who these children are and the challenges they face. Children with high learning potential are much more than high IQ scorers. These children are fascinating, complex, challenging, brimming with vast potential and an incredible thirst for knowledge. All children with high learning potential share these traits and this is what we at Potential Plus UK support on a daily basis. It is widely agreed that both genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) play an important role in determining intellect. However, their relative importance is debated. Current thinking suggests that the importance of the gene is greater, though without appropriate support and challenge, a child’s true potential can remain unfulfilled. Children with high learning potential frequently astound parents, teachers and other adults that are faced with a very small person who has the ability to floor them with a stunningly perceptive comment, statement of fact, mathematical skill, scientific understanding or wonderful talent for art, drama or sport. Should I have my child's IQ tested? Parents often ask Potential Plus UK about IQ testing. Our response is that this is not always necessary as a high IQ score is only one measure of intelligence and not all children with high learning potential will score highly on standardised IQ tests. Reasons for having your child’s IQ formally assessed include the school needing and requesting impartial proof prior to providing your child with specialist gifted provision, behavioural problems that could be caused by lack of challenge, or the existence of a possible special educational need alongside high intelligence. Potential Plus UK offers the High Learning Potential Assessment to discover the l

FAQs

What is 'Giftedness' and why is it difficult to define?

“Giftedness” is described as a difficult concept to define, and the word “gifted” can carry negative connotations tied to superiority and elitism. The document stresses the importance of recognising that a child may indeed be different.

Should I have my child’s IQ tested?

IQ testing is not always necessary because a high IQ score is only one measure of intelligence. Formal assessment may be useful when schools need evidence for specialist provision, when behaviour issues may relate to lack of challenge, or when a special educational need may exist alongside high intelligence.

How do high learning potential children differ, and are they exceptional in all areas?

They are not necessarily exceptional in every area; they may have interests and/or abilities in one or more subject areas. Even when they are intellectually mature, they can have social and emotional maturity matching their age, sometimes requiring support.

Oct 3, 2026

Uploaded by Aldword