Michelle L. Guy, 2024

In the 60’s, Dr. Kazimierz Dabrowski developed the theory of “Advanced Personal Development”. This theory looks at how people establish their sense of self-identity over the course of their lives. Dabrowski noted differences in neural development in Gifted individuals, and his research indicated a variety of characteristics of Gifted individuals that impact the development of self-identity in gifted people.
Dabrowski coined these characteristics as “overexcitabilities” (OE). He described OE as an intense mind and body connection and a physical response to sensory input due to heightened brain activity (or neuronal sensitivities). He was one of the first to research and discuss these aspects of Giftedness and to identify giftedness as neurodivergence.
Dąbrowski identified five types of overexcitabilities: psychomotor, sensual, imaginational, intellectual, and emotional that may be experienced by gifted people. These OE or gifted 2e characteristics often cause them to experience everyday life more intensely, making them feel emotions more deeply (and respond to these feelings with intense reactions as well). This post provides some insight into the various OEs and ways that may help children (and adults) to manage them. Not all gifted people fit all of the characteristics but typically several of these may be present.

Psychomotor Overexcitabilities:
Many Gifted people have high energy levels and may be constantly moving. They are often competitive with themselves and others. They may exhibit rapid speech and ask constant questions. They typically need less sleep than others and can focus intensely when mentally stimulated. However, lack of mental stimulation can be challenging in school and at home and lead to behavioural problems.
How to help:
Provide physical activities: sports, rough and tumble play, biking
Involve them in tasks: empty the dishwasher, take out garbage, run errands
Model calm and soothing activities: relaxing on the porch, reading, puzzles, bird watching, Legos
Teach relaxation techniques: mindfulness, breathwork, yoga, stretching

Sensual Overexcitabilities:
Heightened awareness of the five senses—sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing. people may be sensitive to smells, textures, and tastes. They appreciate
beauty in various forms. They may deeply love music, colour, movement, or tastes. But they can also be repulsed by certain foods, textures, and clothing.
How to help:
Use of coping methods: using headphones or sunglasses, avoiding or making
accommodations when attending spaces that are sensorily overstimulating
Provide opportunities to delight in pleasurable sensory experiences: listen to music,
smell the flowers, watch the sunset

Intellectual Overexcitabilities:
This is a most recognized trait in gifted children and youth. This intensity
involves constant thinking and a thirst for deep answers. Their questioning may sometimes
appear challenging to teachers, as their need to know is a passionate petition. These are the kids that constantly ask, “Why?”
How to help:
Support your child/teen's interests and curiosities
Provide mentally stimulating activities: chess, puzzles, brain games
Create opportunities to interact with peers who are intellectual equals.
These individuals may need encouragement to get out of their heads and into their bodies.
Encourage physical play/movement/exercise.

Imaginational Overexcitabilities:
These folks are dramatists, daydreamers, and highly imaginative. They may experience intense emotions related to their intense thoughts and experiences. These individuals often have big fears and become bored easily.
How to help:
Encourage creative expression of imagination with young people; create puppets, make plays/movies, art
Differentiate between real and imagined, provide different perspectives of events without invalidating their own personal perspectives.
Encourage children and teens to use their imaginations to problem-solve and cope with struggles on their own, and with support if needed.

Emotional Overexcitabilities:
Strong emotional reactions to stimuli. They feel deeply and may
be moved to tears by music, art, or a hot dog falling to the ground. They may present with "overreactions" to things that seem simplistic or "normal" day to day experiences. They also often have strong attachments to people, objects, or things they feel passionately about. .
How to help:
Teach and model to children and teens the transience of emotions: that emotions do not last forever
Demonstrate ways to anticipate emotional situations and help them rehearse, such as how we might respond if we lose a game or don’t get the part we want.
Teach and model emotion regulation: take space, deep belly breathing, mantas, positive self-talk

As noted, Gifted children and youth often exhibit multiple intensities or overexcitabilities. Understanding these overexcitabilities is a good starting point to help parents, caregivers, physicians, professionals and educators understand and provide the necessary support for them. For individuals who experience these overexcitabilities, it can also enhance a sense of self, and help them to find their "people" if they have felt ostracized or rejected in life.
At times, it may feel overwhelming, and can be exhausting for both child/teen and caregivers.
Parents and children/teens may face challenges that feel too big to manage as a family. Finding the right external support for the child/teen, and for caregivers is so important.
Look for professionals like doctors, educators, counsellors, or a therapist who specialize in working with Gifted and 2e individuals, and who understand the complexities involved.
References below.
Information:

*Acorn & Anchor Therapy Centre is a Toronto, Ontario based Centre where therapists specialize in working with neurodivergent folks, and particularly, Gifted, 2e, those with ADHD, and “high functioning” ASD (Level 1). We support kids, teens, adults and families in a safe space, either in-person or online.
References:
Bainbridge, C. (2020, June 11). Why gifted kids may are often highly sensitive or overexcitable. Verywell Family.
Daniels, S. (2018, May 7). Gifted children: The 5 overexcitabilities from Dabrowski. SBO Blog.
Dabrowski's Over-excitabilities: A Layman's Explanation, Written for Hoagies' Gifted Education Page,
February, 1999.