Twice exceptional
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The term twice exceptional, often abbreviated as 2e, is commonly applied to high-ability children who have learning difficulties. It refers to the fact that these children are exceptional both because of their intellectual gifts and because of their special needs.
There is no generally accepted definition or profile of twice-exceptional children because the nature and causes of twice exceptionality are so varied. A 2e child may be one who is diagnosed with one or more disabilities[clarification needed] such as dyslexia, visual or auditory processing disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, sensory processing disorder, Asperger syndrome, or Tourette Syndrome. The child might have a diagnosis of attention deficit disorder, with or without hyperactivity, or diagnoses of anxiety or depression. Some 2e children have no formal diagnosis, but do have learning differences of other kinds, such as in learning style or preference, that make it hard to function in a traditional classroom. This variation among twice-exceptional children makes it difficult to determine just how many of them there might be. Some estimates place the number at 2 to 5 percent of all gifted children,[1] while others believe it to be higher.
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[edit] Misunderstood Children
The combination of marked strengths and weaknesses found in 2e children can result in behavior and academic performance that puzzle parents, teachers, and even some medical and mental health professionals. Because their disabilities or deficits are often not apparent to those around them, twice-exceptional children may appear to be uninterested, lazy, distracted, or disruptive in class. They might present any of the three profiles identified by educator and researcher Susan Baum:
- Bright but not trying hard enough
- Learning disabled but with no exceptional abilities
- Average.
In each situation, the 2e student’s strengths help to compensate for deficits; the deficits, on the other hand, make the child’s strengths less apparent.[2] The interplay of exceptional strengths and weaknesses in a single individual results in inconsistency in performance. A 2e student’s grades commonly alternate between high and low, sometimes within the same subject. The child might have advanced vocabulary and ideas but be unable to organize those ideas and express them on paper. He might be a skilled artist or builder but turn in assignments that are messy or illegible. She might complete assignments but lose them or forget to turn them in. To the parents and teachers observing this behavior, it may seem that the child just isn’t trying. In fact, many 2e children work as hard if not harder than others, but with less to show for their efforts. This struggle to accomplish tasks that appear easy for other students can leave 2e children frustrated, anxious, and depressed. It can rob them of their enthusiasm and energy for school and damage their self-esteem.
[edit] Typical characteristics
Children identified as twice exceptional can exhibit a wide range of traits, many of them typical of gifted children. Like those who are gifted, 2e children often show greater asynchrony than average children (that is, a larger gap between their mental age and physical age). They are often intense and highly sensitive to their emotional and physical environments. The following chart summarizes characteristics commonly seen in this population.
| Strengths | Deficits |
|---|---|
| * Superior vocabulary | * Poor social skills |
| * Advanced ideas and opinions | * High sensitivity to criticism |
| * High levels of creativity and problem-solving ability | * Lack of organizational and study skills |
| * Extremely curious, imaginative, and questioning | * Discrepant verbal and performance skills |
| * Wide range of interests not related to school | * Poor performance in one or more academic areas |
| * Penetrating insight into complex issues | * Difficulty with written expression |
| * Specific talent or consuming interest area | * Stubborn, opinionated demeanor |
| * Sophisticated sense of humor | * High impulsivity |
[edit] Identifying a child as twice exceptional
Twice exceptionality often shows up in school. In their early years, these children often seem bright, with varied interests and advanced vocabularies; and many times parents are unaware that they have a 2e child. Teachers often spot problems in school. During the early years it may be social difficulties. The 2e child may find it hard to make friends and fit in. Academic problems often appear later. As work demands increase, teachers may see a drop or inconsistencies in the student’s performance, sometimes accompanied by an increase in problem behaviors. Some 2e students withdraw, showing reluctance to speak out or take other risks in class; while others play the class clown. Some are unable to stay focused, find it hard to sit still and work quietly, and have difficulty controlling anger or frustration.
If these difficulties persist, school personnel or parents may decide that evaluation is needed. Along with a physical examination, children may undergo psycho-educational testing to determine the cause of their struggles. The professionals who take part in the process should be knowledgeable about giftedness. Some characteristics of giftedness can look very much like those of a learning disability or disorder and, as a result, gifted children are sometimes incorrectly diagnosed with disorders.[4] Evaluation results should indicate the child’s areas of strength and weakness and identify whether any disorders or learning disabilities are present. In addition, the results should include information on what the child needs in order to build on the strengths and compensate for the weaknesses that have been identified.
[edit] Helping the 2e child to be successful
Their strengths are the key to success for twice-exceptional children. They thrive on intellectual challenges in their areas of interest and ability. Many 2e children do best when given work that engages multiple senses and offers opportunities for hands-on learning. However, a requirement for success for these students is support, either given informally as needed or formalized in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan.
Support can come in several forms. An essential form is encouragement; others include compensation strategies and accommodations in the child’s areas of weakness. For example, 2e students may benefit from learning time-management skills and organizational techniques; and they may need to have extra time on tests and reduced homework.
Finding schools that can meet the needs of twice-exceptional children is a challenge for many parents. Public and private schools with programs that combine the appropriate levels of challenge and support for these learners are in the minority. For this reason, a number of parents choose alternative educational options for their 2e children, including homeschooling and virtual (Internet-based) schools.[5]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Delisle, J. & Galbraith, J. (2002) When Gifted Kids Don’t Have All the Answers. Minneapolis: Free Spirit Publishing.
- ^ Baum, S. & Owen, S. (2004). To Be Gifted & Learning Disabled: Strategies for Helping Bright Students with LD, ADHD, and More. Mansfield Center, CT: Creative Learning Press.
- ^ Higgins, L. D. & Nielsen, M. E. (2000). Responding to the Needs of Twice-Exceptional Learners: A School District and University’s Collaborative Approach. In K. Kay, (Ed.), Uniquely Gifted: Identifying and Meeting the Needs of the Twice-Exceptional Student (pp. 287-303). Gilsum, NH: Avocus Publishing.
- ^ Webb, J.T.; Amend, E.R.; Webb, N.E.; Goerss, J.; Beljan, P.; Olenchak, F.R. (2005). The Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults: ADHD, Bipolar, OCD, Asperger's, Depression, and Other Disorders. Scottsdale, AZ: Great Potential Press.
- ^ Neumann, L. C. (2008). No One Said It was Easy – Challenges of Parenting Twice-Exceptional Children. In M. W. Gosfield, (Ed.), Expert Approaches to Support Gifted Learners: Professional Perspectives, Best Practices, and Positive Solutions (pp. 269-276). Minneapolis: Free Spirit Publishing.
[edit] Further reading
- Bellis, T. J. (2002). When the Brain Can’t Hear: Unraveling the Mystery of Auditory Processing Disorder. New York: Atria.
- Bireley, M. (1995). Crossover Children: A Sourcebook for Helping Children Who Are Gifted and Learning Disabled. Reston, VA: Council for Exceptional Children.
- Curtis, S. E. (2008). Understanding Your Child’s Puzzling Behavior: A Guide for Parents of Children with Behavioral, Social, and Learning Challenges. Bainbridge Island, WA: Lifespan Press.
- Dendy, C. A. Z. (2000). Teaching Teens with ADD and AD/HD: A Quick Reference Guide for Teachers and Parents. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House.
- Eide, B. & F. (2006). The Mislabeled Child. New York: Hyperion.
- Johnsen, S. K. & Kendrick,J. (2005). Teaching Gifted Students with Disabilities. Waco: Prufrock Press.
- Levine, M. (2002). The Myth of Laziness. New York: Simon & Schuster.
- Lovecky, Deirdre (2004). Different Minds: Gifted Children With AD/HD, Asperger Syndrome, and other Learning Deficits. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
- Miller, L. J. (2006). Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons.
- Probst, B. (2008). When the Labels Don’t Fit: A New Approach to Raising a Challenging Child. New York: Three Rivers Press.
- Rivero, L. (2002). Creative Home Schooling: A Resource Guide for Smart Families. Scottsdale: Great Potential Press.
- Silverman, L. (2002). Upside-Down Brilliance: The Visual-Spatial Learner. Denver: DeLeon Publishing, Inc.
- Vail, Priscilla (1989). Smart Kids with School Problems: Things to Know and Ways to Help. New York: Plume.
- Weinfeld, R., Jeweler, S., Barnes-Robinson, L., Shevitz, B. (2006). Smart Kids with Learning Difficulties: Overcoming Obstacles and Realizing Potential. Waco: Prufrock Press.
