By Dr. Fabiano de Abreu Agrela Rodrigues
There is only one way to know if a person is truly gifted.
Giftedness manifests itself in different ways, with varying profiles that may include: early development in multiple cognitive areas, gradual and continuous development throughout life, and the complex interaction between different brain areas, with the possibility of some regions compensating or complementing others.
The precocious profile is characterized by accelerated development from the first years of life, with motor and cognitive milestones being reached earlier than expected. Children with this profile tend to walk, talk and develop perceptual and metacognition skills very early, demonstrating a keen analytical and observational eye from infancy. This development is supported by neural circuits that form rapidly, possibly influenced by genetic and neurobiological factors that facilitate this precocity.
Gradual development involves the late expression of IQ-related genes, which promote continued cognitive growth throughout life rather than early plateauing. This suggests that for some individuals, the increase in cognitive abilities may be prolonged, with neuroplasticity remaining an important role in adaptation and intellectual growth. The pace and duration of this development depend on both genomic factors and the individual’s environment.
The compensatory system refers to the ability of the brain, especially the frontal region, to compensate for deficits in other cognitive areas, such as language delay or fine motor coordination. In conditions such as autism, dyslexia, or hypoxia, the brain can reorganize its neural networks, allowing some children to develop superior cognitive abilities despite deficits in other areas. However, not all individuals with these conditions will be gifted, since genetic predisposition and the brain’s adaptive response vary widely between individuals.
Giftedness assessment involves standardized IQ tests, such as the WAIS, Cattell, Binet, and WISC (for children), which are considered the gold standard in this type of analysis. In addition, for a more complete understanding of intellectual abilities, it is essential to assess emotional and social intelligence, creativity, and personality traits, in addition to considering possible disorders that may influence cognitive performance.
