14. Atypical problems in people with high potential (zebras)
People with high potential have a highly capable mind that takes precedence in their emotional and social development. This creates areas of tension, frustration and emotional responses. In their youth, AS people are often confused with people with high potential or zebras, because they share many characteristics. As with AS people, the zebra's identity is a genuine problem. ‘Who am I?’ These children regularly skip classes and find themselves surrounded by children who are more emotionally and socially mature. Lack of identity, illustrated by the question ‘who am I?’, seems to be one source of the problem, as does being different, which triggers rejection instincts in allistic people. Ultimately, while others build their identity, the zebra cannot invest enough in their own identity or assemble relevant reference points. The zebra's brain branches like a tree and works with images. Once this way of functioning is properly understood, it becomes an asset for structuring ideas, facilitating learning, setting goals and building one's world on values.
Personally, I do not believe in building identity by taking IQ tests. I believe we must grow by setting goals and creating values; it is work, overcoming obstacles, developing one's will, ‘goodwill’, kindness, and finding confidence in the community of zebras and AS people by studying their specific qualities.