David Palmer Ph.D.
Licensed Educational Psychologist (California BBSE Lic. # 2193)


My book has helped thousands of parents understand gifted testing and programming so that they can better work with the schools to find the right program for their child. 

“A useful, ready reference for parents… presents the content in
an organized, even, and balanced manner … clear and simple”   
Suzanne M. Stauffer, Library Journal



Additional Services Available

Achievement Testing & Out of Level Testing

Learning Disability Assessment

Link to Dr. Palmer's upcoming University of California, Irvine extension online course in giftedness identification and programming

Online Articles by David Palmer

Hidden Gifts:  What to Know so Your Child Isn't Overlooked

Is it Good to Be Gifted?  Optimal IQ and the Flipside to Giftedness

ADHD or Gifted?  What Parents Should Know

Bright Kids with Learning Problems

Recent Client Comments

"Thank you again for your insight.  You have been a tremendous help to us."

"Thanks to you we feel very informed and able to advocate for our daughter's best interests"

"...answers a lot of questions about our child's nature,  mind,  and personality."

"So interesting... thanks so much!"
 "You answered all our questions... 
it’s great to have someone like you 
in the area."
 "You’ve really helped us understand our options...  thank you."

Great Links for Parents!

Book Recommendations

MapQuest Directions to Dr. Palmer's office in Laguna Beach,  California



Great Links for Parents


  • Phone:  Orange County  949 892 9805
  • Phone:  LA County 562 743 9520
  • Email:    Dave@PalmerLearning.com
  • GreatSchools.net!  A wonderful resource for parents. In many districts parents have options regarding which school their child will attend. This is where you can get the information you need to make an informed choice. 
  • Hoagies' Gifted Education Page A leading website clearinghouse for all things pertaining to gifted assessment,  gifted kids,  and gifted programming.   This site started as a grass roots effort  by Carolyn K. - and has grown into one of the most important places on the web for parents and others who live with,  and advocate for,  gifted kids. 
  • The Davidson Institute is one of the nation's best resources for families with gifted kids.  The institute offers a variety of programs - including access to an online community of families and experts involved with gifted education and enrichment programs, a scholarship funding program,  The Think Summer Institute,  The Davidson Young Scholars Program,  and free  consulting and access to nationally known experts.
  • John Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Online Distance Education Classes   CTY's Talent Search Program - a unique distance education program provides challenging academic courses all year long for eligible students in grades K through 12. The distance courses are varied, demanding and very appropriate for highly able students. Students can take courses all year long, and make significant progress in a subject by working from their homes or schools.
  • More Info on Talent Search Programs! A list compiled at Hoagies.org. Talent Search Programs assess and recognize students with exceptional mathematical and/or verbal reasoning abilities.  A high score on an IQ test, or exceptional achievement on another standardized test, is often the prerequisite for participating in a talent search program.  Because highly capable students often top out on tests designed for their own age or grade level,  Talent Search students are given the opportunity to take an out of age level test.  These tests allow parents and students to more fully understand the learning abilities and educational needs of bright and gifted kids.  Students who meet certain criteria on these out of grade level tests may then be recognized for their achievement and be eligible to participate in online learning courses, summer institutes, and family learning programs.
  • Distance (online) Education Program for Gifted Youth - Stanford University  A continuing project dedicated to developing and offering multimedia computer-based distance-learning courses. Combining technical and instructional expertise, EPGY provides high-ability students of all ages with an individualized educational experience, optimized in both pace and content. Through EPGY, students have access to courses in a variety of subjects at levels ranging from kindergarten through advanced-undergraduate.
  • GT Cyber Source  A leading web gateway to articles and resources for gifted kids.
  • Early Education Program at California State University, Los Angeles. Early entrance to college is one option for exceptionally gifted kids and teens.  The Early Entrance Program (EEP) at Cal State L.A.  is one of the few opportunities for accelerated college entrance in the nation. The CSLA EEP accepts qualified students as young as 11 years of age.  This program gives gifted kids and teens the opportunity to learn college level material alongside others of similar age and  abilities and attend regular college classes on campus. EEP students are guided through campus life through a special mentoring support system. EEPsters (as they are sometimes called) begin full-time study upon acceptance and can earn their baccalaureate within four to five years.
  • The UCI Gifted Students Academy (GSA) Program. The Gifted Students Academy, GSA, is an intensive summer program for gifted middle school students, grades five through eight. Participants select courses in each of the major subject areas of math, science, language arts, social studies and the arts. and may attend as a commuter student or reside on campus in the UCI residence halls.  Courses are offered in one-week modules and span over a six-week period.  GSA offers a strong foundation of disciplinary studies while providing students a sampling of campus life.
  • The UCI Gifted Students Academy Exploritorium for Early elementary age students.  The Gifted Students Academy EXPLORATORIUM is an all day innovative program for gifted and talented students presently in 1st through 4th grades. The 1-week programs are exploratoriums blending science, art, technology and creative writing. The Exploratorium will provide a multimedia approach with computers and the web, science, art, language arts and recreational activities. Introduction to life on a college campus while experiencing hands-on laboratory activities and experiments will make the one week program memorable. Sessions will be from 9am to 3pm daily with an hour lunch in the UCI Dining Hall. Extended day is available.





All Content provided by David Palmer. Ph.D.