I came upon your work today Jon and really relate to all that you shared here. Your description of twice-exceptionalism is so apt, and I similarly felt so "seen” the first time I learned about overexcitabilities.
Despite having worked with gifted people for 15+ years, I still struggle to find the right words to describe our brains. Nothing in our existing vernacular seems quite right.
I published a Substack article this week about our efforts to re-label giftedness as neurodivergence, and how even that can sometimes be fraught. Would welcome your thoughts if you have the time to read. Looking forward to reading more of your work!
I laughed, nodded, or shook my head in resigned agreement with almost every line.
When you wrote "Because accuracy matters." it reminded me of one phrase from my career: "words mean things."
Struggling to find words or provide effective communication... those are not comfortable or familiar things for me -- but sometimes they're very real. Words like 'Gifted,' 'Neurodivergent,' and 'Twice Exceptional' may help express what I'm starting to understand.
Great article. I’m still working through all my biases and interpretations of being 2e. Why is it so much easier to say I’m autistic than gifted? Your essay really resonates - thanks.
Autistic sounds like a deficit to most people. And most people can't relate to not having it. Giftedness sounds like we're bragging or that we've been granted a special ability above others. And many people have compared themselves to others more intelligent than them (report cards in grade school) and assumed or were told it was a measure of effort (when it's not necessarily). I still can't get the term to land after all these years of practicing with people. I prefer to tell folks that "my brain runs hot" (which captures some of the struggle along with the benefit). Or that I'm a constellation thinker. Or have a "rainforest mind" (per my favorite 2e book by Paula Prober).
Either way, find a way to make yourself legible so others can get to know the real you. 😎
I have hated using the g-word or 2e as descriptors, because when I do it never lands with the meaning I intend. I intend it as context. As a bid for understanding. But that's rarely how it's received.
Agreed. I've tried to get it either to land for years, with hopes that others can start to understand the experience. It doesn't work. Instead, I tell them "my brain runs hot" or that I'm a constellation thinker. Those work much better!
Thanks for sharing your experience! It's good to hear from you!
I am just now trying to accept that I am gifted. Not the testable IQ kind even though I am only a bit below that arbitrary 130 line. I have all the OEs. I have a deep emotional, intuitive, pattern recognition, big picture, creative, artistic mind that weaves meaning and depth into every corner of my life. I may also have discalculia too.
Yea, seems like an emergent gradient rather than a binary with gifted/130IQ at the high end. I’m not at 130 and have plenty of these traits/experiences but maybe not as strongly as others.
I came upon your work today Jon and really relate to all that you shared here. Your description of twice-exceptionalism is so apt, and I similarly felt so "seen” the first time I learned about overexcitabilities.
Despite having worked with gifted people for 15+ years, I still struggle to find the right words to describe our brains. Nothing in our existing vernacular seems quite right.
I published a Substack article this week about our efforts to re-label giftedness as neurodivergence, and how even that can sometimes be fraught. Would welcome your thoughts if you have the time to read. Looking forward to reading more of your work!
I laughed, nodded, or shook my head in resigned agreement with almost every line.
When you wrote "Because accuracy matters." it reminded me of one phrase from my career: "words mean things."
Struggling to find words or provide effective communication... those are not comfortable or familiar things for me -- but sometimes they're very real. Words like 'Gifted,' 'Neurodivergent,' and 'Twice Exceptional' may help express what I'm starting to understand.
Thanks for the article, Jon. :)
Yeah… I was just basically a bobble head while I read this.
Ha! That was a fun visual. I love that you relate!
Great article. I’m still working through all my biases and interpretations of being 2e. Why is it so much easier to say I’m autistic than gifted? Your essay really resonates - thanks.
Autistic sounds like a deficit to most people. And most people can't relate to not having it. Giftedness sounds like we're bragging or that we've been granted a special ability above others. And many people have compared themselves to others more intelligent than them (report cards in grade school) and assumed or were told it was a measure of effort (when it's not necessarily). I still can't get the term to land after all these years of practicing with people. I prefer to tell folks that "my brain runs hot" (which captures some of the struggle along with the benefit). Or that I'm a constellation thinker. Or have a "rainforest mind" (per my favorite 2e book by Paula Prober).
Either way, find a way to make yourself legible so others can get to know the real you. 😎
Every word, John. Every word.
I have hated using the g-word or 2e as descriptors, because when I do it never lands with the meaning I intend. I intend it as context. As a bid for understanding. But that's rarely how it's received.
Thank you for writing this.
Agreed. I've tried to get it either to land for years, with hopes that others can start to understand the experience. It doesn't work. Instead, I tell them "my brain runs hot" or that I'm a constellation thinker. Those work much better!
Thanks for sharing your experience! It's good to hear from you!
😉
One of your best yet. So much here that resonates. Thank you, Jon!
I am just now trying to accept that I am gifted. Not the testable IQ kind even though I am only a bit below that arbitrary 130 line. I have all the OEs. I have a deep emotional, intuitive, pattern recognition, big picture, creative, artistic mind that weaves meaning and depth into every corner of my life. I may also have discalculia too.
Yea, seems like an emergent gradient rather than a binary with gifted/130IQ at the high end. I’m not at 130 and have plenty of these traits/experiences but maybe not as strongly as others.