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When I first found out my son was highly gifted, I was not sure how I was going to handle its own obstacles and challenges. Yes, giftedness does come with obstacles and challenges that students with average IQ do not normally face as much as those with a very high IQ. When my son was observed, it was that gifted and talented observer who told me about Dabrowski’s 5 Overexcitabilities. Knowing these can help you to understand your child better.
Psychomotor Overexcitabilities
This is very common in gifted students. They are always on the go. The child does not seem to want to remain still. They appear to need less sleep than their peers, even at a young age. This issue here is that they can easily be misdiagnosed as having ADHD. However, that is not the case. They are capable of focused concentration and can focus for long periods of time. The problem with gifted children in a regular brick-and-mortar classroom is that due to a lack of mental stimulation, they get bored easily and need to move around.
Some of the Characteristics Include:
- Competitiveness
- Compulsive Organizing
- Compulsive Talking
- Impulsive Behavior
- Physical Expression of Emotions
- Preference for Fast Action and Sports
- Rapid Speech
- Sleeplessness
Sensual Overexcitabilities
This is a heightened awareness of the five senses. Children who deal with this overexcitability may not be able to handle the smell of certain foods or the touch of grass on their feet. They may also get pleasure from certain textures such as the texture of specific food and then overeat.
Some of the Characteristics Include:
- Appreciation of Beauty- such as in Music, Art, Writing, Nature
- Craving for Pleasure
- Sensitive to Smells, Tastes, or the Textures of Food
- Desire or Need for Comfort
- Tactile Sensitive- such as Wanting the Tags from Clothes to be Removed
Intellectual Overexcitabilities
This is the one that most people associate with giftedness. This is due to their high intelligence being shown. Children seem to be thinking all the time and want answers to questions most of their peers do not ask at the same age. Their need for answers to multiple questions and their frequent questioning can cause problems in a brick-and-mortar school where they are seen as being rude and disruptive.
Some of the Characteristics Include:
- Analytical Thinking
- Ask Probing Questions
- Avid Reading
- Deep Curiosity
- Theoretical Thinking
- Independent Thinking
- Concentration- Can Maintain Intellectual Effort
- Love of Knowledge and Learning
- Love of Problem-Solving
Imaginational Overexcitabilities
The biggest sign of this overexcitability is a free play of imagination. Their imaginations can be very vivid and therefore, they may see the worst-case scenario. This may make them avoid new situations and prevent them from taking chances or risks.
Some of the Characteristics Include:
- Daydreaming
- Detailed Visualization
- Fear of the Unknown
- Imaginary Friends
- Good Sense of Humor
- Love of Fantasy
- Love of Drama, Music, and Poetry
- Magical Thinking
- Vivid Dreams
Emotional Overexcitabilities
The major sign of this excitability is exceptional emotional sensitivity. Children can be misdiagnosed as being bipolar or even with other emotional disorders and problems. They are seen to be much more sensitive than their peers and even not as mature.
Some of the Characteristics Include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Extremes of Emotion
- Feelings of Inadequacy and Inferiority
- Loneliness
- Need for Security
- Physical Responses to Emotions- (Stomach Aches Caused from Anxiety)
- Problems Adjusting to Change
- Strong Memory of Feelings
Now that you know some of the overexcitabilities gifted students deal with, you can watch for signs that trigger or the display of one of the intensities. You will be able to better support your child and help him through overexcitability.
MENSA
To go along with this post, you may want to read about MENSA. It is not necessary to join. Their website does have resources for you to use with your gifted student. My resource page has some basic info about MENSA. To read, click HERE.
Pages You May Want to Look at on the MENSA website:
MENSA Excellence in Reading– Students can earn a T-Shirt and also a Certificate for each group of reading grade levels completed.
MENSA for Kids: Games– Students can play games and learn at the same time.
Intensities (overexcitabilities) in the Classroom (I would add Home): Lesson to do with Jr. High and High School to help them understand and recognize these intensities.
