Is anyone familiar with Willem Cuiper's notion of Xi (eXtra Intelligence) from either his book Enjoying the Gift of Being Uncommon or his post about Xi and Giftedness? I know that many people on this forum have wished that there were a term we could use other than giftedness that didn't have as much baggage attached to it. I like the notion that Xi is an inherently subjective measure applied from within, whereas giftedness is an inherently objective measure applied from without. I think that many of us would hesitate to identify ourselves (as adults) as being gifted but may have an easier time identifying with having Xi.

Has anyone ever tried using this term as a substitute for "being gifted" with their kids?

If some people are uncomfortable with the idea that some people are much smarter than others, I don't think the answer is to retreat into mysticism.

Seriously, the problem isn't the word choice; it's the reality of the differences in ability.

Got to agree with that.

Understanding the Gaussian distribution and some basic human/primate psychology is what helped my own gifted child to come to peace with her reality.

Others coming to peace with it, on the other hand, is a losing battle to start with.