Giftedness Assessments

 

 

Our assessments help you look at whether you are gifted, and if so, what your unique gifted profile is. Knowing how your complex mind works increases your self-understanding and self-compassion and unlocks doors for legitimizing, accepting, and empowering yourself on your self-awareness journey. We see giftedness from a holistic perspective, and assessments explore intellectual intelligence together with body intelligence, emotions, intuitive awareness, creativity, and other forms of intelligence expression.

 

How it works & what we evaluate

A qualitative assessment looks at giftedness based on cognitive, thought, emotional and other patterns of awareness. Via your preparatory work and our live assessment discussion with you, we combine our professional knowledge with an exploration of your mind space in order to understand the way your mind works. Using the model of giftedness developed by InterGifted's founder Jennifer Harvey Sallin, which you can learn more about here, our assessments take a full-picture look at your unique profile including:

    • your level of giftedness
    • your areas of intelligence and how they work together most naturally for you
    • any possible twice- or multi-exceptionalities
    • any overexcitabilities in your profile
    • how complicating factors such as trauma history and chronic physical or mental health issues may have affected your ability to express your gifted mind and self fully
    • how environmental and social support, resources, and opportunities (or lack thereof) have helped or hindered your ability to express essential parts of your gifted mind and self fully
    • as appropriate, a clarifying discussion about the difference between external evidence of giftedness (such as good grades and eminence) vs. the inner reality of giftedness which may not be expressed in traditionally externalized ways

As it is qualitative only, our process does not include testing of any kind. Our assessment sessions are offered throughout the world via zoom, and the process consists of written preparation and a two-hour live online assessment discussion. Our assessors have extensive training and experience working with gifted, twice-exceptional and multi-exceptional adults (and they are themselves gifted and multi-exceptional). Read what our assessment clients say about what they've gained from their assessment experiences with us, and learn more about the process and scheduling below.

As we are discussing material that can be challenging and confronting, it's important for our clients to be in a stable emotional state and ready to engage in the process of self-discovery, wherever it leads them (more information on "assessment readiness" below).

About the assessment process

Several weeks (or more) prior to the online assessment session, we will send you pre-assessment reading and a series of questions about your personal history via email. In the weeks preceding the assessment session, you will have the time to review and reflect on the reading and questions we have sent you, and to prepare a written submission which will be due on an agreed-upon date with your assessor. Your assessor will review your submission prior to the live session, and will use their analysis of your submission as a basis for the live discussion with you.

During the assessment session, your assessor will review your profile with you, asking follow-up questions to your submission and clarifying aspects of your cognitive experience and personal history. By the end of the live session, your assessor will provide you with an analysis of your profile, as well as personalized resource recommendations (reading, coaching, integration work, groups, therapy, communities, and so on) based on your unique profile, needs and personal development journey. We generally provide a follow-up summary and recommendations via email following the session, but we do not provide formal reports.

What our clients say

Here are a few highlights of our clients' experiences, in their own words. You can read their extended feedback on our testimonials page.

"I have to say that I felt seen in a way I had rarely been seen in my life."

"This assessment provided confirmation, comfort, advice and guidance that will change the way I will see and organize my life forever."

"“Grateful” is the first word that comes up when I think about the assessment. The second one is “mind-blowing”. The third one would be “transformative”."

"My giftedness assessment was a life-changing event. I feel like I have been given a giant permission slip to leave my old life behind, lean into what my heart has been craving for decades, and share my gifts with me and then the world."

"This saved me at least 10 to 20 years of suffering and searching in the quest called ‘who am I? and why do I feel so different?'"

"The assessment is a very organic process, and it’s amazing to not have to hide your true self and not be scared to be “too much” again. It’s now time for me to pursue my healing and blooming journey as a gifted mind."

How to know if you're ready for an assessment with us

Our assessment process is designed for people who are ready to learn about their cognitive profile and are able to apply that knowledge actively in their personal development process. Given the purpose and format of our assessments, it is important for our clients to be in a stable and non-rushed emotional and psychological state, to feel safe and ready to share openly about their mind and personal background with us, to explore potentially challenging material, and to be comfortable being assessed with the giftedness model we use.

Here are some indicators that our assessment is not the best next step in your journey:

    • You are in a state of emotional or existential pain or turmoil, or are in personal crisis. You can refer to the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale as a guide: our assessments are designed for clients who are in the "stable to thriving" category represented by the range of 61-100.
    • You are feeling resistant to, scared of or even angry about getting assessed; you are not comfortable confronting your profile in an honest and open way.
    • You have blocks to learning and applying new information.
    • You are not comfortable with the model of giftedness we use (linked above).

ASSESSORS, COSTS & SCHEDULING

 

Our team of assessors is pictured below. We invite you to review our assessors' profiles (via the links in their profiles) and directly contact the assessor with whom you would like to schedule.

Before contacting the assessor of your choice, please be sure you have read this page thoroughly, including the frequently asked questions listed below. Once you are sure you meet our requirements for participation and that our assessment process fits your needs, you can write to us, providing a brief background about your giftedness discovery and integration so far, as well as your motivations for participating in an assessment at this time. Due to the volume of requests we receive, we can only respond to requests that fit our offering. 

Please note that our assessment sessions are scheduled several weeks to one month in advance to allow you adequate session preparation time. Costs vary according to our assessors' location and level of experience.

 

Jennifer Harvey Sallin

Founding Director, Trainer & Assessor

Jen is based in Switzerland and assessments with her can be conducted in English, French or Italian. Cost is 825 CHF and she has a waiting list of around 12 months. You can learn more about her here & schedule with her via email.

Fabienne Wydler

Coach & Assessor

Fabienne is based in Switzerland and assessments with her are conducted in English or German. Cost is 700 CHF and she has a waiting list of around 5 months. You can learn more about her and schedule with her here.

Luzi Yang

 Coach & Assessor

Luzi is based in the US and assessments with her are conducted in English. Cost is 775 USD (currently ~700 CHF) and she has a waiting list of around 2 months. You can learn more about her and schedule with her here.

 

 

Answers to FAQ's

If I already know my IQ score, what is the point of having a giftedness assessment?

IQ scores don't directly help you understand how your gifted mind works, nor the various nuances, strengths, opportunities and challenges of your unique gifted cognitive profile. That's where a qualitative assessment comes in, to dig more deeply into the make-up of your multidimensional mind and how it informs your particular purpose, goals, journey, needs and possibilities. It's worth mentioning that IQ testing also measures mainly what is called "logico-mathematical intelligence", thus other areas of creative, emotional, sensual, existential and physical intelligence are not generally assessed or defined by an IQ test. Naturally, a qualitative assessment is holistic and examines all areas of intelligence, as well as how they work together for your particular experience and expression.

What are your assessments based on?

On a theoretical level, we use Jennifer Harvey Sallin's model of giftedness as a basis for our assessments. Additionally, we base our assessments on our training, years of experience working with and assessing gifted clients, as well as our research knowledge on giftedness, twice-/multi-exceptionality, and gifted-specific psychology.

What if I'm unsure about being gifted?

You do not need to be sure that you are gifted before having an assessment. If you are unsure, we help you evaluate that and can still provide resources and suggestions for next steps, even if you discover that you are not gifted via our assessment.

Can I use this assessment for self-advocacy (at school, in legal situations, etc)?

Our assessments can be a helpful step for self-advocacy with employers, family members, or schools. They are not appropriate for legal cases or other situations which involve a need for quantitative reports.

Do you offer follow-up assessment reports?

No, we do not provide assessment reports. We will, however, send you a follow up email with resource recommendations, based on our assessment discussion.

Do you offer follow-up assessment sessions?

Some clients choose to schedule additional assessment discussion sessions or giftedness integration work sessions to further explore more specific aspects of the initial assessment discussion, such as how twice-exceptionalities or other factors affect giftedness expression or how one can best manage one's energy based on their gifted profile; however the first assessment session gives a thorough overview of giftedness level(s), areas of intelligence, possible twice-exceptionalities, and resources and recommendations for personal development based on one's unique profile. Please note that Jennifer Harvey Sallin is only able to offer one follow-up session to each client, whereas Fabienne Wydler and Luzi Yang are generally available for ongoing integration sessions. Jennifer's clients are welcome to pursue integration work with Fabienne or Luzi. Follow-up assessment discussions are priced at the assessor's hourly rate.

Can I get gifted coaching before I have an assessment? Or should I wait?

You can pursue gifted coaching before or simultaneous to having an assessment.

Do you offer discounts or scholarships?

We are unable to offer discounts or scholarships at this time.

What is your cancellation and refund policy?

The assessment process is an involved process both for you as a client and for us as assessors. Therefore, it is important that you be ready to fully participate in and follow through with the process. If you're in a phase in your life where you struggle to follow through, we recommend waiting to schedule with us until you can have enough space for research, reflection, participation and follow-up. Because we reserve a significant amount of time for you, we are unable to offer rescheduling or refunds for assessments after your session is scheduled and paid for. If there is a legitimate emergency, we will work with you on an individual basis to try to find a respectful scheduling solution together.

WHAT OUR ASSESSMENT CLIENTS SAY

“The assessment was like re-discovering myself with someone who could see me”

The assessment with Jen was like re-discovering myself with someone who could see me, articulate that which I couldn’t and validate it. The intense and ‘different’ parts of who I am have been kept in the peripheral and the assessment helped me bring them to the forefront with someone who has the authority and the compassion to say “I see you, and you’re okay”. Learning that there’s a reason for my sensitivities, and finally having a place or a label for the structures of my thoughts and reactions was like one giant exhale. Jen is kind, ridiculously smart and overall, a true badass. The assessment is an investment that I’d highly recommend to anyone with a subtle inner knowing that they’re different but who doesn’t have the tools or expertise to be able to pinpoint the how’s/what’s and why’s of it.

Rebecca - Australia

“I finally understand the ways in which I am different and that those differences are to be cherished”
My giftedness assessment with Fabienne was a life-changing event. I have spent decades not understanding who I am and feeling like I don’t belong anywhere. Fabienne was very welcoming and supportive, and she made space for my autism needs from the moment we connected. I was nervous about the process of being assessed but she made it easy and a fun adventure! I finally understand the ways in which I am different and that those differences are to be cherished. She helped me to realise what my unique strengths and challenges are and – most importantly – what I need to do to be fully well and alive. Added to that, Fabienne gave me a range of supportive resources and people to connect with who can help me to heal and move forwards with confidence. I feel like I have been given a giant permission slip to leave my old life behind, lean into what my heart has been craving for decades, and share my gifts with me and then the world. That is a priceless gift indeed.

K.H. - New Zealand

“My session was a vital piece in understanding myself and continuing to unlock the other missing pieces”

I truly enjoyed the assessment with Luzi. For me, it was very helpful to be asked questions that required me to dig more into my embodied experience, and it actually opened a pathway to access more memories and information than I thought possible. I realized that I can connect to my mind, with concentration, and push through the foggy grey layers to reach the more concrete information beneath. Thank you, Luzi, for your time and expertise. My session with you was a vital piece in understanding myself and continuing to unlock the other missing pieces. I look forward to utilizing the suggested resources you included.

Kendra - US

“I finally understand much better how my brain works, why I am the way I am”

The assessment I did with Fabienne was a truly refreshing and transformational “a-ha” experience. The assessment preparation helped me with introspection about who I am, what I’m like, and describe myself and my thoughts without the usual filters I use when engaging with the world around me. Find patterns in my own behavior and thoughts and reflect on how my education and life have contributed to who I have become today with the challenges I experience. The assessment itself was really well prepared by Fabienne and she asked several clarifying questions to help establish the full picture. Her summary at the end fully resonated with me, it was spot on. After 38 years I finally understand much better how my brain works, why I am the way I am. No-one ever described me so accurately as Fabienne and that after only 1 session! Additionally, the assessment gives me the confidence to rethink my career and my purpose in this life. Finally, Fabienne shared resources with me after the assessment, relevant to my profile, as well as clear next steps that she and InterGifted could help me with. Thanks so much Fabienne!

E.B. - Switzerland

“It has made such a positive difference in my life!”
I hesitated scheduling my assessment with Jen for a whole year. I knew I was gifted, and wondered if I might be highly gifted but was very afraid of finding out the answer. I already felt so alienated from the world around me; I didn’t want to add more fuel to the fire. But when I finally met with Jen, she put all my fears to rest. She helped me to understand that accurate self-knowledge will allow me to connect better to all varieties of people by “reading reality” more accurately, and being able to act in line with things how people really are – not just how I’ve been projecting them to be. I finally see how I can stop projecting my highly gifted mind (yes, Jen confirmed my “fears”) onto others who are not highly gifted, and how I can improve my relationships for the benefit of everyone. If you’re hesitating getting an assessment, I encourage you to go for it – it has made such a positive difference in my life!

Thierry - France

“I cannot thank you enough for these two hours that changed my perception of life”
I have done the assessment session with Jennifer. This was an amazing experience to connect with such a beautiful person. Many things were going through my mind and I was still having so many questions after my discovery of giftedness a few years ago. Something was suddenly making some sense… I recently stumbled upon the difference that being highly gifted also brings into the mix. Jen was able to provide confirmation, comfort, advice and guidance that will change the way I will see and organize my life forever. I felt at home. I cannot thank you enough for these two hours that changed my perception of life. I would recommend the assessment session to anyone who would like to better understand how giftedness has influenced and shaped their life. Thanks Jen!

Vincent - Quebec

“It revealed aspects and nuances of my mind that I had never been able to see on my own”
I’ve been engaged in personal self-discovery for decades, and gifted-specific discovery for many years. I thought I had the workings of my mind figured out pretty well. And then I had an assessment! In her skillful, compassionate way, Jen revealed aspects and nuances of my mind that I had never been able to see on my own. It was a lot to process, but the notes and directions for exploration Jen provided were extremely helpful in being able to walk away from the assessment with not only hope and a renewed outlook, but also ways in which I could slowly begin integrating and rediscovering these aspects of myself. I’m still integrating and exploring months later and so grateful I have this wholehearted data to guide me!

Kelly - Canada

“I have seen the world and myself in a new light”
I cannot find words to express how enlightening and reassuring Jen’s assessment of me was for me. As a person diagnosed with autism, I have been so unsure which of my traits were caused by my autism and which might have been due to giftedness. Jen helped me clarify which is which, and showed me how I can better understand my twice-exceptional and sometimes very overwhelming mind. Since our session, I have seen the world and myself in a new light. It made me feel like anything is possible for me. Thank you Jen!

Brady - UK

“I’ve found a missing piece that I’ve been searching for”

I was fortunate to have Fabienne guide me at the start of my giftedness discovery journey. I thoroughly enjoyed the 2-hour giftedness assessment where she articulated the intricacies of my thinking and provided deep insight to my experiences. She asked thoughtful questions, listened patiently, and provided a supportive environment where I felt safe. As Fabienne explained my giftedness profile, things from my past and present started making sense. I learned a lot about myself, giftedness, my profile, and female autism in those two hours. After the assessment, Fabienne sent through additional resources, which I am very excited to go through. I also enjoyed the preparatory work that I did prior to the assessment as I had the chance to reflect and organise my thoughts prior to our discussion. There is this huge sense of relief for me after the assessment, as if I’ve found a missing piece that I’ve been searching for. Thank you so much Fabienne!

Ren - New Zealand

“This saved me at least 10 to 20 years of suffering and searching”

My first thought following my assessment session with Jennifer was: “This saved me at least 10 to 20 years of suffering and searching in the quest called ‘who am I? and why do I feel so different?'”. I am extremely thankful for her commitment to help people like us to acknowledge our spark and give us tools to cope and harness the power within us.

Casper - The Netherlands

“It has been wonderful and has taken me in new directions for development and self-acceptance”
I came to Fabienne for an assessment to confirm my own understanding of my giftedness and to see what I may have missed. I was especially interested in the role of the body within my profile and within InterGifted’s giftedness model. I was also apprehensive, having dealt with many service professionals who made me feel unseen and sometimes unsafe. With Fabienne, however, what really struck me, was how safe she made me feel, how easily she saw my whole picture (including trauma and brain fog) and made room for it, and how *that* experience transformed how it felt to receive her analysis. The information gained in the session has been wonderful and has taken me in new directions for development and self-acceptance, but it was Fabienne’s ability to facilitate emotional safety within the session that really elevated the work into a transformative place, even beyond the session itself.

Katie - US

“My giftedness assessment clarified so much about myself”
My giftedness assessment with Jen clarified so much about myself that had confused me my whole life. First of all, I came to understand my lack of sense of satisfaction with so many things in life. And second, I came to understand how applying my giftedness to self-actualization rather than worldly accomplishments has made me confused about whether I am an underachiever or not really gifted at all. Our discussions helped me to finally see my lack of satisfaction and lack of focus on “worldly accomplishments” in a positive light, as a creative force for me. Now I know what to tell people who accuse me of being too exigent: that my drive for excellence is part of my own self-actualization journey, and it is a positive for me; and those who accuse me of not “accomplishing things”: that my focus is on self-mastery, not mastering external processes, and again, that is positive for me. Thank you so much Jen for the work you do in the world, and the positive impact you’re having on people like me who have struggled to find fitting support for their entire lives!

K.B. - Canada

“My world turned upside down (in a good way) as a result”
I always knew I was ‘weird’, but never knew why. A colleague suggested I contact InterGifted and I did, almost blindly. I jumped right into an assessment with Jen, and my world turned upside down (in a good way) as a result. I discovered that not only am I gifted, I’m highly gifted, and very likely autistic. Oh my god, it explains so much about my life, my joys, my struggles. I can’t believe it! I’m due to be tested for autism in a few weeks, and I have to say that I’m excited. That might sound strange, but when you feel weird for so long without understanding why, and then someone explains your mind to you in a way you never thought anyone would understand you, it is such a relief. Also, Jen is very positive in her approach, and focuses on the unique possibilities that each person has, given their unique neurology and personality. I know there are struggles being 2e, but knowing I have Jen and InterGifted to count on for support, I feel I’ll be able to face them constructively.

Dave - Australia

“Now I feel like I have a manual for myself and a map of where to go”

It’s hard to describe what happened to me when I did my assessment with Jen. It was like a whole split in my life happened, in a good way. I couldn’t believe that she was able to read me and my mind so clearly, and it was hard to hold in my tears of relief throughout our entire session. Perhaps most helpful was that she was not only able to see into my mind and describe it with crystal clarity, but she was able to help me see what I could do concretely in my life to make room for my full flourishing. I had had an IQ test ages before, and it had never helped me understand my mind or what to do with it in my real life. Now I feel like I have a manual for myself and a map of where to go and how to get there.

Claire - Norway

“I can already see a huge shift in my self-perception”

I have dyslexia and always thought I was less smart than others. It always made me feel inferior. When I learned I was highly gifted in my assessment with Jen, it suddenly made sense that while I hadn’t done well at school, I still had a meta-mind. Jen helped me find resources for managing the dyslexia and I can already see a huge shift in my self-perception. I now know that I am smart, and not inferior (although not superior either), and as I learn tricks to better manage the dyslexia, I find I am so much better able to express myself. One of the best things that has happened as a result of the assessment is that I’m no longer ashamed to ask for help and special accommodations for my challenges. At the age of 52, this comes as a huge relief. I’ve had to deal with some grief following the assessment, becoming aware of how many years I had wasted feeling bad about myself and not understanding myself. But that has been healing too as I realise that I’ve been doing the best I can for myself all these years, and it can only get better from here.

Alexander - Canada