This really resonated. “intensities as developmental material rather than markers of superiority” feels important. It also reframes something I’ve long associated with the “gifted kid” label. Making mistakes feel heavier than they should. Appreciate this perspective.
Thank you, Natalia. That reframe is at the heart of what Dąbrowski was actually saying: intensity as raw material for growth, and available to anyone who experiences it. The gifted label has a way of turning that material into an identity, which is exactly where the weight comes from.
Thanks for your take on this Chris. I know you're incredibly knowledgable about Dabrowski and appreciate you sharing the true meaning of his work.
I share with all my clients that OEs are not a gifted framework, they're a useful lens for some common neurodivergent experiences, but the data on correlation with giftedness is very mixed (and frankly hard to interpret) because of the myriad ways we define giftedness and the fact that we have too many tiny studies with insufficient sample sizes.
I appreciate you calling attention to how identifying gifted kids by OEs and asynchronous development props up a circular logic about the centrality of these things to the gifted experience. Very astute point.
From having known James Webb when he was still alive, I think his central goal was to de-pathologize giftedness and the gifted experience. He wanted more bright folks (and neurodivergent folks) to feel they belonged and weren't "problems" to be solved. Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis definitely needs updating. But I think his work, the Columbus group's definition, and others who focus on the phenomenological aspects of giftedness advanced the idea that giftedness is a unique way of being in the world that needs recognition and support without condemnation. I am indebted to them for this reason. Their ideas gave me compassion for myself, my students, and my clients—much like Dabrowski's theories have helped you.
I appreciate you sharing this and how Dabrowski's work aligns with our current understanding of neurodiversity. He was so ahead of his time and these ideas continue to resonate. Thank you!
Beautiful article. Insightful, helpful, and wise.
Thank you, Richard! 🙏
This really resonated. “intensities as developmental material rather than markers of superiority” feels important. It also reframes something I’ve long associated with the “gifted kid” label. Making mistakes feel heavier than they should. Appreciate this perspective.
Thank you, Natalia. That reframe is at the heart of what Dąbrowski was actually saying: intensity as raw material for growth, and available to anyone who experiences it. The gifted label has a way of turning that material into an identity, which is exactly where the weight comes from.
Thanks for your take on this Chris. I know you're incredibly knowledgable about Dabrowski and appreciate you sharing the true meaning of his work.
I share with all my clients that OEs are not a gifted framework, they're a useful lens for some common neurodivergent experiences, but the data on correlation with giftedness is very mixed (and frankly hard to interpret) because of the myriad ways we define giftedness and the fact that we have too many tiny studies with insufficient sample sizes.
I appreciate you calling attention to how identifying gifted kids by OEs and asynchronous development props up a circular logic about the centrality of these things to the gifted experience. Very astute point.
From having known James Webb when he was still alive, I think his central goal was to de-pathologize giftedness and the gifted experience. He wanted more bright folks (and neurodivergent folks) to feel they belonged and weren't "problems" to be solved. Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis definitely needs updating. But I think his work, the Columbus group's definition, and others who focus on the phenomenological aspects of giftedness advanced the idea that giftedness is a unique way of being in the world that needs recognition and support without condemnation. I am indebted to them for this reason. Their ideas gave me compassion for myself, my students, and my clients—much like Dabrowski's theories have helped you.
I appreciate you sharing this and how Dabrowski's work aligns with our current understanding of neurodiversity. He was so ahead of his time and these ideas continue to resonate. Thank you!