Overexcitabilities: A Key to Understanding Your Gifted Personality Based on… Dabrowski’s Theory of Overexcitabilities

OEQ-II Please complete the Overexcitabilities Questionaire II Please complete the Overexcitabilities Questionaire II

Advanced Education Services Goal 3: Socio-Emotional Guidance Goal 3: Socio-Emotional Guidance AES will recognize and nurture the unique socio- emotional development of gifted learners. AES will recognize and nurture the unique socio- emotional development of gifted learners.

IEP Goals and Objectives Goal B: You will demonstrate an understanding of Overexcitabilities and the impact these have on your school success as measured by the following objectives: Goal B: You will demonstrate an understanding of Overexcitabilities and the impact these have on your school success as measured by the following objectives: 1. You will give a brief oral description of each of the 5 Overexcitabilities. 1. You will give a brief oral description of each of the 5 Overexcitabilities. 2. After taking the OEQII, you will describe your primary Overexcitabilitie(s). 2. After taking the OEQII, you will describe your primary Overexcitabilitie(s). 3. You will assess and describe the impact of your primary and secondary Overexcitabilities (both positive and negative) on your school success. 3. You will assess and describe the impact of your primary and secondary Overexcitabilities (both positive and negative) on your school success. 4. You will list at least three strategies for coping with the 4. You will list at least three strategies for coping with the problematic issues of your Overexcitabilities. problematic issues of your Overexcitabilities.

Overexcitabilities/ Supersensitivities/ Superstimulatabilities A consistent over-reaction to external and internal stimuli in a variety of domains.

Translation! Some individuals tend to react more strongly than average to things that happen to them. Some individuals tend to react more strongly than average to things that happen to them. Some individuals tend to react to these things for a longer time than average. Some individuals tend to react to these things for a longer time than average.

Remember… These reactions are a part of the physical and mental make-up of the individual. These reactions are a part of the physical and mental make-up of the individual. Such individuals do not react this way on purpose. Such individuals do not react this way on purpose. This is simply a part of who they are. This is simply a part of who they are.

PSYCHOMOTOR

PSYCHOMOTOR OVEREXCITABILITY Heightened excitability of the neuromuscular system Heightened excitability of the neuromuscular system Capacity for being active and energetic Capacity for being active and energetic Love of movement for its own sake Love of movement for its own sake Organic surplus of energy Organic surplus of energy Psychomotor expression of emotional tension Psychomotor expression of emotional tension

SENSUAL

SENSUAL OVEREXCITABILITY Heightened experience of sensual pleasure or displeasure Heightened experience of sensual pleasure or displeasure Sensual expression and outlets for emotional tension Sensual expression and outlets for emotional tension Appreciation for aesthetic pleasures Appreciation for aesthetic pleasures

INTELLECTUAL

INTELLECTUAL OVEREXCITABILITY Heightened need to seek understanding and truth Heightened need to seek understanding and truth Intensified activity of the mind Intensified activity of the mind Penchant for probing questions; Problem solving Penchant for probing questions; Problem solving Preoccupation with logic, theoretical thinking and development of new concepts Preoccupation with logic, theoretical thinking and development of new concepts

IMAGINATIONAL

IMAGINATIONAL OVEREXCITABILITY Heightened play of the imagination Heightened play of the imagination Rich association of images and impressions Rich association of images and impressions Spontaneous imagery as an expression of emotional tension Spontaneous imagery as an expression of emotional tension Capacity for living in a world of fantasy Capacity for living in a world of fantasy

EMOTIONAL

EMOTIONAL OVEREXCITABILITY Heightened, intense positive and negative feelings Heightened, intense positive and negative feelings Somatic expressions Somatic expressions Strong affective expressions Strong affective expressions Capacity for deep relationships Capacity for deep relationships Well differentiated feelings toward self Well differentiated feelings toward self

Overexcitabilities are… Great! Great! Exciting! Exciting! Fulfilling! Fulfilling! Challenging! Challenging! Troublesome! Troublesome! Painful! Painful!

Questions to Think About Think of times when you have been strongly affected by what others think of you or when you have compared yourself to others. Think of times when you have been strongly affected by what others think of you or when you have compared yourself to others. Think of those situations that cause strong doubt. The situations should involve the way you struggle with yourself (for example, dealing with your beliefs, feelings, or abilities). Think of those situations that cause strong doubt. The situations should involve the way you struggle with yourself (for example, dealing with your beliefs, feelings, or abilities). Recall times when you have felt inadequate, unworthy, or not-good- enough. Recall times when you have felt inadequate, unworthy, or not-good- enough. Consider those situations when you have felt like there was most difference between what is and what ought to be or the most difference between what was and what should have been in yourself. Consider those situations when you have felt like there was most difference between what is and what ought to be or the most difference between what was and what should have been in yourself. Think of your "ideal self" and those qualities that you think are best for an ideal life. What attributes have you most dreamed of having? Think of your "ideal self" and those qualities that you think are best for an ideal life. What attributes have you most dreamed of having?

Homework Take home a parent letter and permission for assessment. Take home a parent letter and permission for assessment. See you next week See you next week