Today, Thibault, chosen by Fanny Vella, gives us his vision of giftedness through the “gifted interview”. Thank you, Thibault! He is doing training to make a career change and work in ecological transition professions.
.IF I COULD CHOOSE, WOULD I STILL BE GIFTED?
Since I like myself the way I am, I would say yes.
.WHAT (MY OWN) GIFTEDNESS MEANS TO ME
It is mainly to have another cognitive functioning. Perhaps faster in the speed of information transmission or reflection.
.IF I HAD TO CHOOSE AN IMAGE OR A KEYWORD THAT SUMS UP WHAT GIFTEDNESS MEANS
I’m not for summarising it, because without developing or being precise with the concept, it maintains stereotypes.
.HOW LONG HAVE I KNOWN ABOUT IT?
Unconsciously since primary school, concretely for 1.5 years.
.WHAT PHASES HAVE I GONE THROUGH SINCE MY DISCOVERY?
I found that it clarified certain things, and allowed me to better understand specific lived situations or even better understand my character.
.HOW DO I EXPLAIN IT TO SOMEONE WHO HAS NEVER HEARD OF IT?
The brain functions a little differently in receiving and processing information. This leads to “+” facilities in some areas (e.g., memory, or analysis) and “-” in others (e.g., social relationships, anxiety, depression).
NB from Gloria: don’t associate “gifted = maladjusted, depressed”! To quote, Nicolas Gauvrit: “we have counted at least 14 studies carried out in different countries (…) and two meta-analyses all leading to the same conclusion: gifted children are not more anxious than others on average. Although the evidence is weaker, they do not appear to be more depressed or stressed than others either.”
.HOW IT CHANGED MY LIFE (TO KNOW IT)
I don’t think it changed my life, I was feeling fine before I knew it. It just helps you to better explain and understand certain things about yourself.
.WHAT I HAVE ALLOWED MYSELF TO DO EVER SINCE
I have increased my confidence in my cognitive abilities and I am more assertive.
.WHAT IT CREATES TO OTHERS WHEN I TALK ABOUT IT
Jealousy! Not for real, I don’t know. Being modest, I only talk about it with people close to me and I am rather surrounded by kindness.
.WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASIZE ABOUT GIFTEDNESS
Let’s talk about it more simply, without this gifted cliché, to be able to take this difference into account in the education of children and allow them to blossom. Otherwise, the child may find himself stuck in “classical” methods (restricted to official knowledge proclaimed by the State).
.WHAT I PERSONALLY FIND TO BE THE MOST DIFFICULT
Manage my anger towards the absurdity of our society and the permanent injustices (near and far).
.WHAT I PERSONALLY LOVE
I am adaptable and I learn quickly in new areas.
.MY WELLBEING TOOL OR PRACTICE THAT HELPS ME MOST
My job, writing stories, putting them into images, I only feel fulfilled when I create.
.A (MIS)REPRESENTATION THAT I WANT TO CALL INTO QUESTION
The image of superiority in the term itself leads people to revolt more than anything else.
.WHAT I WANT TO SAY TO GIFTED PEOPLE
Play upon your strengths, and know your weaknesses. And step back when necessary.
.WHAT I WANT TO SAY TO PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT CONCERNED
Get information through smart channels.
.WHAT I WOULD RECOMMEND TO SOMEONE WHO IS WONDERING
Dig deeper, and ask questions.
.THE MISTAKE NOT TO BE MADE BY A GIFTED PERSON.
Believing oneself to be superior.
.MY PROFESSIONAL ADVICE FOR GIFTED
Find a job aligned with your values.
Living amidst incoherence and surrounded by colleagues with whom you can’t be yourself is horrible.
.MY PERSONAL ADVICE FOR GIFTED
Know yourself well.
.A BOOK TO READ ON THE SUBJECT
Sherlock Holmes. It just crossed my mind, but I think it shows the duality between analytical ability and social maladjustment. NB from Gloria: same point of vigilance on the stereotypes associating giftedness = social maladjustment (reread my NB on this subject above or Cécile Boost). As you have understood, limiting beliefs about Giftedness are indeed my battle horse ☺️
.MY OPINION ABOUT THE WAIS IQ TEST
It calculates a form of logic – very limited as a test in the end.
.IS IT A WASTE NOT TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE GIFTED?
It can lead to suffering and pain.
.WHEN I MEET ANOTHER GIFTED PERSON, DO I RECOGNIZE HIM.HER? BY WHAT?
A brightness in the eyes…
As it’s not being displayed on people’s foreheads, it’s hard to answer. But there is often a correlation for friendships where it’s “love at first sight”.
.WHAT DO GIFTED PEOPLE HAVE IN COMMON?
A term that is not appropriate.
.THE CRUCIAL STEPS NOT TO BE MISSED IN THE JOURNEY OF A GIFTED PERSON?
The stages in the development of self-confidence. It can be “daring to ask questions” / “saying what you think” / “arguing against someone’s opinion” / “valuing one’s ideas” / etc. I am also thinking about the role of parents. They can have a strong impact in one way or another.
.AN INSPIRATION FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY ABOUT GIFTEDNESS
Freer educational methods based on the child’s abilities rather than the will to fit him/her into a mold (e.g. Nordic countries, Germany, Canada…).
.A WISH FOR THE FUTURE
That children concerned of giftedness can be supported by taking their cognitive particularities into account.
