Although Taurian Collins began reading at the age of two, he had hearing difficulties. His hearing sounded like he was underwater and everything sounded mumbled to him. Even his speech was mumbled. His mother consulted with doctors, beginning his outstanding journey to become a child prodigy.
“He wasn’t really talking. He was [saying] ‘mama, dada’ and that was a little iffy. I don’t think he was saying 10 words,” Collins’ mother Jessica told KNOE-8.
Collins underwent surgery to address his hearing issues. He ended up having his adenoids taken out and tubes placed in his ears. The procedure transformed his world from muffled sounds to clear speech and vibrant conversations. Three months later, Collins has not stopped talking while continuing to read exceptionally.
His outstanding test scores made him eligible to apply for Mensa, an institution that acknowledges individuals who score in the 98th percentile in standardized testing. The high IQ society has about 150,000 Mensa members worldwide in over 90 countries across diverse age groups. It offers dynamic opportunities for social, cultural, and intellectual interaction among its exceptionally brilliant members. Scoring in the top 2% on standardized tests, Collins has earned a coveted spot in Mensa at only six years old.
Easily reading sentences and possessing an advanced skill set, the first grader hasn’t stopped impressing.
“He’s the perfect candidate for a program like that. I mean, these are the most intelligent people in the world, and he fits right on in that group,” said Dr. Brian Bush, Collins’ principal at J. S. Clark Magnet School in Monroe.
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Collins has big dreams and has set the bar high for himself. He aspires to be both an NFL player and an astronaut. He plans to attend college early, aiming for Harvard by age 13.
“He said he’s going to Harvard at 13. So, we’re going to do whatever we have to do to get him there,” his mother said.