Kelly Parks (Educator of the Gifted) Responds
My first thought is yes, because we (gifted people) have a diverse and unique neuro-framework that influences every aspect of our lives. Our brains work differently, and our lived and inner experiences are atypical from most others we interact with each and every day. Simple, right?
Maybe, but what is the practical impact of this and how do others interpret the word, “neurodivergent”? Will it help gifted people thrive? Only time will tell.
Some see those who are neurodivergent as troubled or problematic. Heavily linked to autism. the term “neurodivergent” can trigger many thoughts. Whatever we label or call a different way of thinking, being, and doing, it is of paramount importance that we use neuro-affirming practices to support the gifted population and others who may fall into the neurodivergent term. Find the value, see the value and affirm the strengths. Support the challenges through a strengths-based lens for all neurodivergent people—gifted included! They should not be forced to mask who they are to ease others.
Our unique, diverse minds are as important to humanity as biodiversity is to our environment. We need our poppies to be healthy poppies; we need pine trees to be healthy pine trees; we need milkweed to be healthy milkweed. Trying to force a poppy to be a pine tree, a pine tree to be a milkweed, is not going to work. You can call them all plants as they are, but they still need different and unique conditions and nutrients to grow strong and healthy.
Yes, I see gifted as neurodivergent but that doesn't mean we are the same as other neurodivergent populations, nor do we need the same things to thrive. Some gifted people are also autistic, have ADHD, experience anxiety, and some are gifted as a stand-alone experience. No matter how we label individuals complexities we still need to see and support them as complex individuals’. Labels may give us insight and offer tools but they are not the final answer to healthy personal development or advancement. We still need to educate, advocate, and help gifted people thrive—neurodivergent or not.
