Serving the Lake Country Area of Southeastern Wisconsin
Dee Dee Jacobsen, MS, ed
As a gifted advocate of 17 years, I have enjoyed many roles and have had the pleasure of meeting many gifted individuals. In my experiences and educational studies, I have found that gifted individuals have an inner intensity. The intensity of emotion, intellect, academic or talent drives the individual. This intensity may be difficult to understand or navigate. Imagine for a moment trying to hold back a sneeze. It is very difficult, painful, and just may be impossible. The "sneeze" just may present itself in very awkward moments. For example, Ryan, a gifted first grade boy literally fell out of his chair in the middle of class making a horrible ruckus. When asked why he fell out of his chair, he looked up a little dazed and replied, "There is just too much blue in the room." Ryan saw and felt color with great intensity. The emotional sensations to the color blue literally blew him out of his chair. We often expect gifted individuals to hold back their intellectual, emotional, social or physical intensities as we push our own agendas. I encourage parents, teachers and friends to honor and respect the individual's intensity with openness, patience and compassion.