Giftedness beyond labels.

Time to unlearn.

Rethinking Giftedness:

What It’s NOT

Forget what you think you know about giftedness. Over the centuries, experts have been all over the map trying to define it, each influenced by their own time, political agendas, and personal beliefs. Believe it or not, having a big head or being left-handed were once considered marks of a gifted individual. Seriously!

For ages, people thought giftedness was something only men could have or that it was limited to math wizards. Today, many still believe that being gifted means having intellectual superpowers and a trail of jaw-dropping achievements. If you haven’t invented gunpowder, the printing press, or the flying car, forget about being recognized as gifted by those standards.

This narrow view misses the point. You don’t have to live up to Einstein. It’s time to break free from these outdated ideas and recognize that giftedness comes in many forms—sometimes in the most unexpected packages.

So, what is giftedness?

Instead of providing a universal definition, let us explain: Giftedness is a form of neurodivergence. As such, it influences the entire nervous system and its functions. A person is gifted not only when they learn but also when they eat, smell, get anxious, fail (yes, that happens too), fall in love, laugh, or stand in a line or under the sun. Giftedness permeates all aspects of life, bringing along its unique divergences.

You can't give it back, you don't outgrow it, it's not a curse, and it's not a blessing. It's simply a unique and extraordinary way of living life.

"Giftedness is asynchronous development in which advanced cognitive abilities and heightened intensity combine to create inner experiences and awareness that are qualitatively different from the norm. This asynchrony increases with higher intellectual capacity. The uniqueness of the gifted renders them particularly vulnerable and requires modifications in parenting, teaching, and counseling in order for them to develop optimally."

Columbus Group - 1991

Life out of sync.

Gifted individuals often experience discrepancies in the progression of their development, a phenomenon referred to as asynchrony. Asynchrony between biological, emotional, and intellectual age. Asynchrony between intellectual potential and the practical application of advanced thinking. Or asynchrony with others. These complex experiences occur simultaneously, intensely, and deeply, sometimes causing confusion and despair. At other times, they present challenges that open new paths, eagerly anticipated with enthusiasm.

Asynchrony explained

Understanding

Overexcitabilities


Dabrowski's Overexcitabilities (OEs) are a key concept in understanding the unique characteristics often observed in gifted individuals. These heightened responses to stimuli can significantly shape the experiences and behaviors of those with exceptional abilities. Overexcitabilities are categorized into five distinct types, each representing an area where an individual may experience an intensified level of response. These heightened experiences contribute to their exceptional talents and sensitivities, often making their perception of the world significantly different from that of their peers.

Gifted individuals with overexcitabilities often display profound abilities and insights, driven by their intense engagement with their environment. These heightened sensitivities mean that they process and react to stimuli with greater intensity, depth, and complexity. This can manifest in various ways, such as an overwhelming passion for learning, a deep appreciation for beauty and art, or an extraordinary capacity for empathy and emotional connection.

Overexcitabilities can lead to remarkable achievements and profound creativity. Still, they can also present challenges, such as sensitivity to sensory input, emotional overwhelm, or difficulty fitting into conventional educational and social settings. By acknowledging and accommodating these unique traits, we can help gifted individuals harness their strengths and navigate their challenges more effectively.

It's not about what you do.

It's about who you are.

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Life beyond labels.

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It's not about what you do. It's about who you are. + Life beyond labels. +


If you're searching for a checklist of traits to tick off one by one and draw conclusions, think again. Giftedness isn't something that fits neatly into boxes; it's a spectrum with levels and degrees, making every gifted individual unique. You might recognize a few, many, or all of the common traits in yourself. What truly matters is your self-awareness and personal experiences.

You are not just a statistic. You are an extraordinary person, a unique blend of genes and experiences. The people you've met, the places you've explored, the sights that have captivated you, the melodies that have moved you—all these sensory and spiritual experiences shape your present and your future. It's not about lists, titles, or numbers.

Self - recognition VS Identification