Asynchronous Development and Overxicitabilities

I am always fascinated with my boy's mind. It is very complex and advance and yet..... there are some parts that demonstrate a big contrast. Go figure!

Reese made some interesting words on the game board. Can you spot a word that is totally out of place?

Children like Reese who are exceptionally or profoundly gifted usually face uneven development known as asynchronous development coupled with various intensities. Overexcitabilities(OE) are inborn intensities indicating a heightened ability to respond to stimuli. They are expressed in increased sensitivity, awareness and intensity. There are five areas of overexcitabilities namely psychomotor,  emotional, intellectual, imaginational and sensual as identified by Kazimierz Dabrowski (1902-1980).

Here is what asynchronicity looks like in our home. Reese is chronologically 7 but has the intellectual age of 13-14. His social emotional maturity varies and probably a little behind. His gross/fine motor skills is on par. This boy is many ages at once. This can make certain situation very difficult. 

What can I do to help? Sometimes I feel helpless. I can only stand aside and watch. I have to keep reminding myself to accept my boy the way he is. He can be so annoying/irritating sometimes. :) Reese has four overexcitabilities and is very high in Psychomotor, Intellectual and Imaginational OE in particular.

Psychomotor

Children with a dominant psychomotor OE are energetic and active. The surplus of energy is demonstrated through rapid speech, zealous enthusiasm, intense physical activity and a need for action. They derive great joy from their boundless physical and verbal enthusiasm and activity but others may find them over-whelming. 

**This is sooooo Reese. He cannot be still and talks constantly. Even I find it irritating sometimes! :)

Intellectual

This is demonstrated by a marked need to seek understanding and truth, to gain knowledge and to analyse and synthesise. Children with a dominant Intellectual OE have very active minds. They are intensely curious, avid readers and very keen observers. They have incredibly detailed visual recall and often independent thinkers! When something interest them, they are able to have prolong engagement with the subject with great concentration. 

**Reese loves non-fiction. He will devour whatever comes his way! His general knowledge is incredible and a very keen observer. When he is into something he likes, it is hard to tear him away from it! His drawings are incredibly detailed and he can spend a long time doing it.

Imaginational

The main sign of this intensity is the free play of the imagination. Their vivid imaginations can cause them to visualise the worst possibility in any situation. They also have a good sense of humour.

**Reese is highly creative in his imagination and always the clown in the family. His drawings are incredible and full of imagination and stories.

Sensual

The main sign of this intensity is a heightened awareness of all five senses: sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing. They have an increased and early appreciation of aesthetic pleasures such as music, language and art and derive endless delight from taste, smells, textures, sounds and sights. With increased sensitivity, they may also feel over-stimulated or uncomfortable with sensory input.

**Reese has an issue with loud sounds (better now), loves soft and silky texture, loves the taste of food and sometimes he is sensitive to light. 

With a child like mine, a regular school will not be a good fit for him. I bet he will be branded as a naughty, lazy boy by teachers because I know he will not take instructions well, cannot sit still and definitely will not do and write pages of worksheets! He will argue with his teachers too..... :) There... the life of Reese! Really not easy to raise this boy of mine.