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.
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.
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. :)
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.
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!
😉