Neurodiversity Podcast

The Gifted Experience: Reframing Emotional Intensity

Aug 8, 2024

Emily Kircher-Morris, an advocate for gifted students' emotional needs, joins Christine Fonseca, a licensed educational psychologist and author, to discuss the emotional intensity experienced by gifted individuals. They delve into the unique processing of emotions among the gifted and the concept of overexcitabilities. Emphasizing the importance of accepting these traits, they argue against pathologizing giftedness and advocate for creating supportive learning environments. The conversation highlights the value of embracing discomfort on the journey to personal growth.

36:24

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Episode guests

Emily Kircher-Morris

Christine Fonseca

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Emotional intensity in gifted students is a natural outcome of their heightened sensitivity and unique brain wiring, necessitating understanding rather than pathologizing.

Supporting gifted individuals involves creating optimal learning environments that embrace their uniqueness and help navigate intense emotions authentically.

Deep dives

Understanding Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students

Gifted students often experience a unique emotional intensity that sets them apart from their peers. This intensity stems from their heightened awareness and sensitivity to the world, leading to a richer and more nuanced experience of emotions and sensations. As discussed, understanding this phenomenon requires recognizing that emotional intensity is not a disorder but a characteristic of being gifted. Supporting gifted individuals involves validating their feelings and helping them embrace their passionate nature without pathologizing their experiences.

Intro

2min

Understanding Emotional Intensity in Gifted Individuals

22min

Navigating Labels and Accommodations in Education

2min

De-Pathologizing Giftedness in the Neurodiversity Movement

3min

Navigating Decision-Making in Personal Growth

5min

Understanding Cognitive Giftedness as Neurodivergence

3min

On episode 236, Emily Kircher-Morris and Christine Fonseca discuss emotional intensity in gifted students. They explore the reasons behind this intensity, and how it relates to the giftedness experience. They touch on the concept of overexcitabilities and how they manifest in gifted individuals. Also, they emphasize the importance of understanding and accepting the unique characteristics of gifted children rather than pathologizing them, and of embracing discomfort as part of the journey.

Takeaways

Gifted students often experience emotional intensity due to their unique brain wiring and the rich and intense experience of the world.
It is important to avoid pathologizing giftedness and instead focus on creating optimal learning environments and providing appropriate support for gifted individuals.
Living authentically and embracing discomfort can help gifted individuals navigate their intense emotions and make conscious decisions that align with their values and goals.

Join the Neurodiversity Podcast Advocacy and Support Group on Facebook.

With school starting soon, we have an opportunity for educators to learn more about 2e students by taking our course, Strategies for Supporting Twice-Exceptional Students. It’s great for CE credits for educators, and the course will be enlightening to anyone curious about helping 2e students thrive in the classroom.

Christine Fonseca is a licensed educational psychologist, critically acclaimed author, and a nationally recognized speaker on topics related to educational psychology, mental health, giftedness, and using storytelling to heal past wounds. Using her experience consulting and coaching educators and parents, Christine brings her expertise to Psychology Today, authoring the parenting blog Parenting for A New Generation. She has written self-help articles for Parents.com, Johnson & Johnson, and Justine Magazine and appeared on podcasts, radio, and television. Her critically acclaimed titles include Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students, and Letting Go: A Girl’s Guide to Breaking Free From Stress and Anxiety.

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