Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums GT Research High sensitivity

Much of what is generally known and applied regarding gftedness and high intelligence focuses on academic achievement. I therefore especially like that Annemarie Roeper and Jim Delisle advocate for the socio-emotional needs of the gifted. Because of what I learned from them I drew the conclusion that high intelligence is equated with deep thinking, feeling and caring. However, I have since found that only a small percentage of people with IQ's of 130 and above display such characteristics .
Has research ever been done to determine how common high sensitivity (Dabrowski's over-excitabilities) is in gifted individuals?

1) have your run across high levels of deep thinking, feeling, and caring in people with IQ levels below 130?

2) It seems reasonable, and I hope it's true, that as we adults become better advocates for gifted children then they will get their emotional needs met - which I believe includes academic challenges that give them the same amount of opportunity for challenge and growth as any other student, and they will naturally grow up better able to show their natural endowment of deep thinking, deep feeling and deep caring.

Trinity you asked <<1) have your run across high levels of deep thinking, feeling, and caring in people with IQ levels below 130?>>

I would have to say yes. Even though both my children and my husband have IQ's above 130, I am borderline with 129 (according to an on-line trial Mensa test). I never ever considered myself cognitively gifted probably because I did not shine in school. Language was my strength, math, physics and chemistry terrible weaknesses. I don't think I could even pass a college algebra class here unless I am more open to learning such concepts now that I'm older (I have a foreign higher vocational degree in journalism and college math was not a requirement).
My parents were both very caring, very sensitive but not of high (over 130) intelligence. Above average for sure and because of that high sensitive nature they were in my opinion anyway very gifted! That's why it would be interesting to see how sensitivity is spread out in people according to IQ.

I do agree with you that when socio-emotional needs are met in early life maybe more kids with high intelligence will keep their sensitive nature. Maybe school takes it out of many? On the other hand it seems possible that some people are born with a high speed brain but not necessarily with the enriching software to use on it. Maybe it is nurture (of home environment)that adds the caring component to nature (of genetic intelligence)?

Dear Sfireblue -
I'm so glad you are sharing your curiosity here. I've always had a lot of curiosity about IQ. One of my favorite books on the subject is "IQ and Intelligence" by N. J. Mackintosh. It's really full of interesting ideas!

I'm curious how you can state that "small percentage of people with IQ's of 130 and above display such characteristics" I have many dear friends and have no idea what their IQ's are. I don't know what my own IQ is. When talking about high ability learners, it's important to realize that IQ tests were not designed to measure them. Each test picks it's own upper limit as well. This is a fasinating area and I'm glad that you are interested. I will say of the few people who's IQs I know, that they seem to have the full range of human strengths and frailties.

I am also grateful that you also bring up a very important issue for Advocates of Gifted Children. The word "Gifted" iteslf is a very difficult one. On one hand it seems to be recognized by a great many people to at least mean: highly intelligent. On the other hand, it seems to instantly put everone on the defensive, as if it imply that some people are "gifted" and everyone else is "worthless." I have observed this many times. I believe that a creator created each human precious, with many gifts and challenge areas. So I find myself hamstrung. I've settled for "children who are not appropriatly challenged by the normal age-appropriate cirricula" when trying to Advocate for my son. Any suggestions will be much appreciated.

Trinity you said <<I'm curious how you can state that "small percentage of people with IQ's of 130 and above display such characteristics" I have many dear friends and have no idea what their IQ's are. I don't know what my own IQ is.>>

Of course my observation is far from scientific but I have in fact talked with quite a large number of high school students (over 150 to date) who are identified as gifted; the vast majority of them are cognitively gifted besides also being academically gifted and a much smaller number who are also creatively gifted. I volunteer at my son's high school in the GT Office to help the GT coordinator take inventory of the GT kids on his roster. Although all of these kids are simply delightful to meet with and their intelligence practically sparkles in their eyes I can say that I intuit that not a majority of them has the kind of sensitivity that Delisle and Roeper mention and which I see in my daughter and other family members.
I also advocate on the Gifted and Talented Board in our school District and as such have met with adults who more likely than not also have high intelligence, yet I have not recognized that high sensitivity and caring in them.


You said <<I will say of the few people who's IQs I know, that they seem to have the full range of human strengths and frailties.>>

True enough; if only teachers were convinced of that also, but they do seem to assume that gifted kids should be good at everything.

<<The word "Gifted" iteslf is a very difficult one.....it seems to instantly put everone on the defensive, as if it imply that some people are "gifted" and everyone else is "worthless.">>

Gifted people are merely different! They can become "worthless" especially when formal schooling saps them of motivation.


<<I've settled for "children who are not appropriatly challenged by the normal age-appropriate cirricula" when trying to Advocate for my son. Any suggestions will be much appreciated.>>

I think that is what all children deserve; to learn something new and hopefully in an engaging and exciting way as well; not simply by "drill the skill". There are some good resources; I particularly like the following as an inroduction for teachers. http://go.hrw.com/resources/go_sc/gen/HSTPR078.PDF

On the topic of GT research, I was wondering, in Genius Denied: How to Stop Wasting America's Brightest Young Minds, there's an article that says for every year a gifted child spends in an avarage classrom, they loose about a year of what they could...
I was wondering if there are any true stories or research to be publicly viewed on this topic. Thanks! :p

I think that exhibiting sensitities makes a child very vulnerable. I believe that any gifted child would go to school with a hardened persona. When I speak to parents of gifted children and mention that I had to cut the tags out of my kids clothes, that they couldn't go to school unless their socks did not have the crease crooked aross their toes, and that they couldn't stand the smell of juice, even someone elses and that we couldn't attent the local parade because the fire engines ran their sirens... (I could go on all day) These parents all have similar stories. I don't think you would know any of these things from meeting my middle schooler.

Ah "new in IL" - your post brings back memories! DS9 was a sock and tag guy. We actually did about 6 months of Occupational Theraphy for Sensory Integration Disorder (back in our gifted denial days) when he was 7, and it helped tremendously, FWIW.

My son exhibits high sensitivity more at school than home.The collar of his shirts seem to bother him alot in class.At home he is sensitive to loud noise.
Why is he more sensitive in school?
How is high sensitivity viewed by teachers and school staff?
Is it viewed as normal behavior?
How can I help him appear less sensitive?
Can high sensitivity effect his school preformance?

Occupational therapy for sensory integration disorder help so much for my DS9! My insurance covered it, my pediatrician was "will" to try it..
Read "out of sync" child, which doesn't paint the picture that accuratly for highly gifted kids, but if it's close enough, you might look into it. To this day, DS9 likes to be rolled up in a blanket.
You don't have to buy into the diagnosis to be helped by the treatment.
My 2 cents - ((smiles))