Giftedness is simply a different way of functioning. Gifted adults have high intellectual potential, sometimes have overactive imaginations, and can be extremely sensitive. Giftedness is not a disorder, but rather a different way of thinking and feeling. Learn more about adult giftedness, screening, and its multiple profiles.
Giftedness can manifest in intellectual, creative, emotional, or sensory areas or through special talents (music, sports, arts, etc.). Some people are highly skilled in many areas, while others stand out in one specific field.
While assessing giftedness inevitably involves a standard IQ (intelligence quotient) test, some gifted individuals display highly variable profiles, depending on the results. Indeed, such diversity makes giftedness so fascinating. Each person is unique with their own strengths and weaknesses.
While IQ is often used to identify giftedness, it is only one of several factors. Specialists generally define a gifted person as someone with an IQ of at least 130, but this threshold is not absolute. According to the Association québécoise des neuropsychologues, 2% of the population meets this qualification. Contrary to popular belief, however, giftedness is more than just a number.
Identifying high intellectual potential (HIP) begins with a rigorous assessment. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) test, for instance, is often given to adults who show signs of giftedness.
Total IQ is a combination of several indicators (verbal comprehension, perceptive reasoning, working memory, processing speed, etc.). It’s important to note that the many free tests available on the internet are no guarantee of reliable results. Assessments must be carried out by health care professionals.
Giftedness can manifest in very different ways. The profiles described below are based on clinical and educational observations commonly reported in the literature but do not constitute an official classification. Each person is unique and may display characteristics belonging to more than one profile.
This type of giftedness is defined by:
This profile is characterized by:
This is manifested by:
These profiles generally present:
These forms of giftedness are characterized by:
The first signs of giftedness generally appear in early childhood, and identification often begins at home or school. In gifted children, high intellectual potential can manifest as precocious learning but also as specific academic difficulties sometimes seen in people with high intellectual potential. Giftedness can lead people to feel different from others and may encourage social isolation.
Assessing giftedness is a complex process and occasionally may not happen until adulthood.
If you’re wondering about your own potential, self-observation is a good place to start.
Ask yourself a few questions:
Good to know
Displaying certain characteristics of giftedness does not necessarily mean that you are gifted. An assessment by a qualified professional will help you better understand your unique way of thinking and functioning.
Specialists in psychology or neuropsychology can carry out a comprehensive assessment, including an interview and standardized tests (such as the WAIS test) to determine your cognitive profile (uniform, diversified, or high-potential) and offer you personalized support.
As mentioned earlier, twice-exceptional people display signs of both high intellectual potential and one or more neurodevelopmental disorders. These include attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity (ADHD), autism, learning disabilities, and mental health difficulties.
According to research conducted by the Laboratoire de recherche et d’intervention sur les difficultés d’adaptation psychosociale à l’école, giftedness in twice-exceptional students can go unnoticed, preventing the implementation of educational measures adapted to their strengths and needs.
Giftedness manifests differently depending on the disorder(s) with which it is associated.
Some people with both giftedness and ADHD have both high intellectual potential and difficulties with attention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity.
It’s essential to understand that inattention can sometimes be linked to a lack of intellectual stimulation rather than a generalized attention deficit. Such gifted people concentrate very well on what interests them but not on repetitive tasks. Medication may be an option if the ADHD is too disruptive.
Some gifted adults with cognitive development disorders can sometimes become bored or demotivated at work, especially if their tasks don’t match their level of intellectual stimulation.
While their vocabulary is often rich and precise, particular difficulties (reading, writing, arithmetic, coordination) may also arise. Their high intellectual potential sometimes enables them to compensate for these disorders with cognitive strategies (memory, reasoning, effort), thus delaying recognition of their giftedness.
The combination of giftedness and ASD can amplify certain sensory and emotional difficulties (hypersensitivity to noise, light, and texture). This, in turn, increases the risk of anxiety, depression, and exhaustion. In the workplace, it’s important to offer accommodations and stimulating assignments to reduce overload and enhance skills.
Likewise, emotional management techniques can be invaluable resources. Follow-up with a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including psychologists, neuropsychologists, physicians, psychiatrists, and pharmacists, will ensure customized care.
Giftedness is sometimes accompanied by anxiety linked to perfectionism and fear of failure. Emotional hypersensitivity amplifies these worries and can complicate stress management.
According to Statistiques Québec, in 2023, approximately 14% of the Quebec population, aged 18 and over, had been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder by a health care professional. Women were more likely than men to have received such a diagnosis (19% vs. 10%).
In theory, characteristics of giftedness are identical across all genders, but its expression, identification, and diagnosis often differ according to gender.
To flourish, adults with high intellectual potential need support adapted to their situation.
Giftedness manifests in a range of unique talents and sensitivities, combining boundless creativity, remarkable alertness, and deep intuition. While hypersensitivity and sometimes erratic performance can be challenging, they’re part and parcel of that inner richness.
Each person is unique, so personalized support is essential. Psychologists, neuropsychologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, doctors, and pharmacists can join forces to meet each individual’s specific needs.
At Brunet, we’re here to guide you and offer informed support, from helping you better understand your profile to directing you to the right resources for obtaining a complete assessment and making the most of your special traits. Together, we can turn your differences into extraordinary strengths.
Last updated on July 10, 2025
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