BrainPower Neurodevelopmental Center

10/06/2025

10/04/2025

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10/03/2025

When we don’t address gifted anxiety, it doesn’t just go away—it grows roots. Over time, it can chip away at a child’s confidence, joy, and ability to thrive

Possible consequences:

School refusal or underachievement
Depression or panic disorder
Substance use to cope with stress

Gifted kids may look fine on the outside, but inside, their brains are working overtime. When we help calm the nervous system, we make space for their full potential to shine.

You Can Help Your Gifted Child Thrive

Gifted children feel deeply, think intensely, and need support that honors both. Anxiety is not a failure of parenting—it’s often a sign of a nervous system stuck in overdrive.

Calm the brain first. Teach coping skills. Create environments where your gifted child feels seen, understood, and safe to be imperfect.

Excellent information from . Roseann ❤️

For more information, visit her website: https://drroseann.com/understanding-gifted-anxiety-causes-and-coping-strategies/

10/02/2025

A Mom’s Journey ❤️

10/02/2025

Research shows that 63% of individuals with autism have been bullied at some point in their lives, and more than 50% of bullying situations stop when a peer intervenes.

Prevention tips linked in comments.

10/01/2025

Echolalia is often associated with ASD, but some individuals with ADHD may also engage in echolalia. The symptoms of ASD and ADHD are similar, which often makes diagnosis difficult. Additionally, some evidence notes that 50–70% of individuals with ASD also present with ADHD.

Although echolalia is more common in individuals with ASD, it can also occur with ADHD. The ADHD symptoms of impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity may negatively affect language development.

People with ADHD oftenTrusted Source have difficulty following verbal instructions. They may find it challenging to follow along during long conversations or classroom lectures. The sensory sensitivities associated with ADHD may also play a role. Some research suggests that people with ADHD are especially sensitive to sounds.

This sensitivity, combined with impulsivity, may lead to echolalia. Difficulty processing language and following conversations could also lead individuals with ADHD to repeat phrases they hear. (Medical News Today ❤️)

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09/30/2025

Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) is when a person feels intense emotional pain related to rejection. The word “dysphoria” comes from an ancient Greek word that describes a strong — if not overwhelming — feeling of pain or discomfort. Though RSD isn’t an officially recognized symptom or diagnosis, it’s still a term that experts use in connection with recognized conditions.

While rejection is something people usually don’t like, the negative feelings that come with RSD are stronger and can be harder to manage or both. People with RSD are also more likely to interpret vague interactions as rejection and may find it difficult to control their reactions.

Experts aren’t sure exactly why RSD happens. But they suspect it involves issues with the structure of your brain and that it happens for similar reasons as ADHD.

Researchers do know that social rejection — even when it’s vague or uncertain — causes similar brain activity to pain. They also know that the brain of someone with ADHD doesn’t regulate internal communication the same way as the brain of someone without ADHD. The brain areas that filter and regulate signals aren’t as active. This means there’s less of a filter on brain activity.

This difference in regulating internal communication is why people with ADHD commonly have trouble processing information from their senses. It also makes them prone to feeling overwhelmed by loud noises, bright lights or sudden changes in what’s happening around them. The brain of someone with ADHD might not be able to regulate pain-like activity, which would explain why rejection is so much more troubling and painful to someone with RSD. (CCleveland Clinic❤️)

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09/29/2025

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects both children and adults. People with ADHD often struggle with executive functioning, which includes activities such as organising tasks, managing time, paying attention, and maintaining self-control. These difficulties can lead to challenges in various areas of life, including work, school, and personal relationships. One potential solution to these challenges is the Pomodoro Technique.

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. The name ‘Pomodoro’ is Italian for tomato, a nod to the tomato-shaped kitchen timer Cirillo used during his university studies. This technique works on the premise of breaking down tasks into manageable chunks separated by short breaks. Typically, one ‘Pomodoro’ refers to a 25-minute focused work session, followed by a five-minute break. After completing four Pomodoros, one takes a longer break, usually around 15-30 minutes. ( ❤️)

09/27/2025

What Contributes to Anxiety in Gifted Children?

Gifted anxiety isn’t caused by one thing—it’s a layered experience driven by how their brains and bodies interact with the world.

Here’s what we often see:

Psychological and physiological overexcitabilities – Gifted kids often have heightened sensory processing. I’ve had kids describe school like a “volume dial stuck on high.” Bright lights, loud noises, and even certain smells can feel overwhelming.
Perfectionism and high expectations – Many gifted children set impossibly high standards. They’d rather not try than fail. And when they don’t meet their own expectations? The shame and anxiety can spiral fast.
Deep rumination and hyper-awareness – Gifted kids often replay events, overthink conversations, and obsess over big ideas (like death or climate change) far earlier than most peers.
Social disconnect or isolation – They may feel different from peers, leading to loneliness, or they avoid situations where they might be judged or not excel.
One study found that around 20% of individuals with high intelligence report anxiety disorders—often at greater intensity than the general population (Karpinski et al., 2018).

These traits aren’t deficits—but without support, they can make life more overwhelming for a gifted child.

Thanks to . Roseanne Calm Brain Happy Family❤️

09/26/2025

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09/25/2025

Challenges Gifted Kids Face

At first glance, being gifted might seem like an educational advantage—and it can be. It’s crucial to recognize that giftedness also comes with unique challenges that can impact a child’s academic performance, emotional well-being, and social development. In fact, some of the biggest struggles teachers observe in their classrooms are directly linked to the very traits that define giftedness.

Perfectionism and Anxiety

Gifted students often set impossibly high standards for themselves. They may become anxious when they don’t immediately master something or avoid tasks altogether for fear of failure. According to a study published in the Journal of Education and Learning, many gifted children internalize perfectionistic expectations, which can result in chronic stress and emotional exhaustion.

Asynchronous Development

Gifted kids often develop intellectually faster than they do socially or emotionally. This mismatch, called asynchronous development, can lead to frustration, isolation, or confusion, especially when they’re expected to “act their age” while processing the world like a much older person.

You might see a student who can discuss abstract philosophical ideas but breaks down in tears over a minor disagreement with a friend. It’s not inconsistency, it’s asynchrony.

Social Isolation and Feeling “Different”

Many gifted students feel out of step with their peers, especially when their interests, vocabulary, or humor don’t align with classmates. Some may isolate themselves or try to hide their abilities to fit in. The Davidson Institute and Advanced Psychology Services both highlight how this social disconnect can lead to loneliness, depression, or behavioral issues if not addressed.

Misdiagnosis and Twice-Exceptionality

Some gifted students also have ADHD, autism, dyslexia, or other learning or behavioral differences. These twice-exceptional (2e) kids often get overlooked or misdiagnosed. Their giftedness may mask their struggles, or vice versa, leading to inconsistent performance and misunderstood behaviors.

“The relationship between giftedness and ADHD is complicated,” Dr. Maier explains. “Many children have both diagnoses—but the two can also be mistaken for one another. This is an area where it makes sense to consult with a mental health professional with experience working with children and adolescents—ADHD is a highly manageable condition, and behavioral therapy is a first-line and effective treatment.”

Underachievement and Boredom

Gifted students who aren’t sufficiently challenged can become disengaged, leading to underachievement. As the Davidson Institute highlights, boredom and lack of appropriate stimulation are common challenges gifted learners face, particularly when curriculum isn’t matched to their abilities.

Similarly, the NAGC emphasizes that unchallenging classrooms can lead to frustration and underperformance. Recognizing and addressing these issues is crucial for educators to help gifted students reach their full potential.

Teachers are often the first line of defense in spotting these struggles. With greater awareness of these common challenges, educators can shift their approach from managing behaviors to meeting needs. Sometimes even small changes can make a big difference.

Thanks to WeAreTeachers for this excellent article and visual! ❤️