What characteristic is unique to gifted children with disabilities identified by Eisenberg and Epstein?

The characteristic that is unique to gifted children with disabilities, as identified by Eisenberg and Epstein, highlights a particular aspect of their behavior that can set them apart from their peers. Disruptiveness can be viewed as a manifestation of their heightened intensity and emotional responses, which may arise from their unique way of perceiving and interacting with the world around them.

Gifted children often experience asynchronous development, where their intellectual abilities may vastly surpass their emotional or social maturity. This can lead to situations where they feel misunderstood, leading to frustration and behaviors that might be categorized as disruptive. These behaviors can stem from a desire for stimulation or engagement that aligns with their advanced cognitive capabilities, coupled with the challenges posed by their disabilities.

In contrast, persistence, empathy, and hypersensitivity are important traits that can be found in many gifted children, but they do not serve as distinguishing markers for those specifically identified as having disabilities. Persistence is often a characteristic of giftedness but does not specifically differentiate these children. Empathy, while an admirable trait, is observed across various populations and is not unique to the gifted or disabled. Hypersensitivity, while related, tends to be a broader characteristic rather than specifically identifying gifted children with disabilities.

Thus, highlighting disruptiveness as a characteristic helps