Twice exceptional students need recognition and proper support to reach their potential and live fulfilling lives.
What is “Twice Exceptional” or “2e”?
Twice exceptional (2e) students show exceptional talent in one or more areas (such as gifted IQ) while at the same time also experiencing a learning or processing difference (such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, autism).
Intellectual ability (giftedness) has been the focus as the main exceptional talent and lately other exceptional talents in areas such as music, arts, and sports are receiving more attention as well.
Twice exceptionality often gets missed, misdiagnosed, or diagnosed late.
The intellectual ability can disguise or help mask the learning or processing difference, making it hard to detect.
The learning difference receives a majority of the attention and leaves the intellectual ability undetected.
A correct diagnosis is important to help support your student. It should be done by a professional who has experience with assessing the gifted, talented and twice-exceptional. The Northwest Gifted Child Association (NWGCA) has put together a list of providers who do testing and assessing and it can be a starting point for your research into what provider would be a good fit to evaluate your child.
I know my child is 2e, now what?
One of the biggest factors in supporting your 2e child is understanding their strengths as well as their challenges.
Asynchronous development is a challenge in most gifted children and 2e kids can show even bigger differences in their development. Imagine a 3rd grader who is able to understand math at a 7th grade level and spells at 1st grade level. The discrepancy can lead to incredible frustration, anxiety, and even depression if unaddressed.
Another valuable factor is community - not just for your child, but also for you as their caregiver. Finding ways to better understand your child and learning that other families are facing issues not unlike your own can be incredibly helpful. GEAC offers events that are geared towards 2e families and we are happy to connect with you. Please reach out at 2e@lwsdgeac.org!
As a community of caregivers, students, and professionals, we understand what it means to have a neurodivergent nervous system and how this can affect daily life, goals, relationships, and internal experiences. If you would like to connect, ask question, learn about resources, please reach out! We would love to support you and your child!
Animal School - A Tale of Gifts
Not all gifted looks alike.
Animal School is a short film that showcases different types of 2e learners and their unique struggles in a school system that focuses on deficits and conformity and fails to see them as the exceptional minds they are.
Hear about anxiety strategies for 2e children
Anxiety is a growing issue among children and youth.
MORE RESOURCES COMING SOON…