Profoundly Gifted


What does it mean to be profoundly gifted?

Qualitative definition of profoundly gifted

Profound giftedness is significantly advanced cognitive abilities and development, as compared to those of peers in the chronological age group, experienced through heightened sensitivity, intensity, and awareness identifiable through social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and/or altruistic behaviors, developmental milestones, and life experiences across the lifespan. This intuitive, and often asynchronous, human development is at high risk of misunderstanding, misidentification, and misdiagnosis (the 3Ms), and requires support and scaffolding from like-minded peers, mentors, and practitioners to meet the profoundly gifted individual’s exceptionally unique educational and developmental needs, and to provide fitting opportunities for positive growth and well-being (Wood & Laycraft, 2020)

Based on the works of Terman (1925); Hollingworth (1942); Dabrowski & Piechowski (1977); Clark (1990); Columbus Group – Morelock (1992); Gross (2004); Webb et al., (2016). 

Wood, V. R., & Laycraft, K. (2020). How can we better understand, identify, and support highly gifted and profoundly gifted students? A literature review of the psychological development of highly-profoundly gifted individuals and overexcitabilities. Annals of Cognitive Science, 4(1), 143-165.


What does Giftedness and Profound Giftedness look like in the Traditional Classroom?

An example of a gifted child and an example of a profoundly gifted child in a typical classroom. 

Gross, M. U. (2000). Exceptionally and profoundly gifted students: An underserved population. Understanding Our Gifted, 12(2), 3-9.


Quantitative Definition of Gifted, Highly–Profoundly Gifted, Profoundly Gifted

Citation: Wood, V. R., in Wood, V. R. & De Wit, E. (Eds.) (2025) Highly-Profoundly gifted: Universal understandings and holistic approaches. Gifted Unlimited, LLC.