Neuropsychological assessment of high abilities/giftedness in an extension project

a case study

Abstract

Objective: To describe and analyze the results of the Neuropsychological Assessment (NA) of an 8-year-old boy, with a hypothesis of High Abilities/Giftedness (HA/G) in a university extension context. Methods: Different methods and techniques were employed for the NA to explore the demands described by the parents and to test the previously formulated hypothesis. Results: Overall, above-average performance was observed in most assessed constructs and instruments that evaluated indicators for HA/G in intellectual and creative areas. However, the re-sults obtained in the behavioral scales indicated high rates of internalizing symptoms and below-average scores for emotional regulation. Considerations: Based on the re-sults obtained, the individual evaluated presents HA/G of the intellectual-academic and creative-productive profiles. He demonstrates ease in learning and significant engage-ment in reading and writing activities. Additionally, there are difficulties in expressing and regulating emotions, which, in turn, influence increased internalizing symp-toms and dysfunctional responses to everyday situations. Therefore, a referral for psychological intervention and guidance for parents and school practices were suggested.