Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Tantrums at 3.5 years old

Hi.

My daughter is becoming more sensitive than the past few months. She doesn't like loud music or noises. If something or someone scares her, she will have a "fit/tantrum" with crying and screaming for 20-30 minutes. I try to comfort her but she pushes me away, so I just wait until it blows over, and then we talk about it.

Are gifted kids more emotionally explosive than normal kids? THANKS!

My middle son that we suspect is gifted is much more intense and present. We always know where he is and what he is up to because he is loud and explosive. While he isn't tempermental and have tantrums you sure know what he thinks and why. He hates loud noises like sirens or car engine revving up. He is 6 years old and still grabs his ears if something is too loud for him.

Not all, but there is certainly a strong tendency for GT kids to be more "extreme" in any number of ways.

I always think of it as however GT kids are, they are EXTREMELY that way. My logical kid is incredibly, unbelievably logical. My emotional one is radically and excessively emotional. (He also has great sensitivity to sound, BTW. I keep earplugs in my purse for him and still, though he's now age 4, cannot take him to movies because they're way too loud for him even with earplugs!)

So, yes, if you have an emotional kid, they'll probably be more prone to outbursts.

You might enjoy reading the links on this webpage:

http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/dabrowski.htm

Smiles,
Grinity

Hi Sharona,

I believe that gifted kids are more intense in a number of ways, and that oftentimes, as they are developing (and remember that their development can be quite asynchronous) their behavior may manifest itself in what appears to be less than normal responses.

In another post I responded to, I included some links regarding Dabrowski's Theory of Positive Disintegration and the Overexcitabilities (or Super Senstivities as they are sometimes called.)

The post can be found at: http://giftedissues.davidsongifted.org/BB/ubbthreads.php/topics/31464/Re_Testing_for_DD#Post31464

I know that when we discovered the OEs, DH and I felt overwhelmed at how often we could identify ourselves, children and other families members with the various OEs.

Hope this helps a bit. Fwiw, as they grow, I think it becomes easier because they can recognize their own sensitivities. I would encourage you to continue talking through it with your DD - so long as you are cautious to not encourage the continuation of what might be considered negative behavior.

Good luck!

A good book is Raising Your Spirited Child.