Twice-exceptionality

Twice-exceptionality

Twice-exceptional (2e) is a term used to describe people who are gifted and therefore have extraordinary abilities or strengths in one or more areas of expertise, while also having at least one diagnosis or learning disability that limits them academically, socially, or emotionally. These people can have trouble fitting in with their peers, can struggle with certain subjects/types of tasks, or can have social or emotional issues that make it difficult for them to reach their full potential.

For example, a twice-exceptional student on the autism spectrum (ASD) can have trouble reading social cues, understanding jokes, or making friends. They might struggle to interpret nonverbal communication or understand social norms, which can make it difficult for them to properly interact with others.

In the same way a twice-exceptional student with ADHD might struggle with impulsivity, hyperactivity, and distractibility, which can make it hard for them to regulate their behavior and emotions in social situations. They can have trouble with emotional regulation, such as handling frustration, anger, or anxiety, and this can influence their relationships with others.

The twice-exceptional thus represent a paradox: they have great potential for learning but also struggle with one or more learning disabilities. It can be difficult not only for parents and teachers, but also for the child to understand. Am I smart or am I stupid?

Social and emotional struggles refer to troubles understanding and controlling emotions, building and maintaining relations, and navigating in social situations.

These problems we often see in gifted people, and they can be especially prominent in twice-exceptional children and adolescents.

It is important for teachers and parents to be vigilant of these social and emotional struggles and give the proper support and challenges, for example though counseling, training of social competencies, or fitting academic tasks to help the student succeed academically and socially.

Identifying and supporting twice-exceptional students can be a challenge, as their strengths and struggles can be complicated and intertwined - and can mask each other. It requires careful uncovering and often examples of behavior and well-being at home, school, or after-school activities. It is important that teachers, parents, and, for example, school psychologists work together to identify and meet the needs of the twice-exceptional students to let them reach their full potential.

To identify twice-exceptional students at school can, as mentioned, be a challenge, as they can display a wide range of strengths and struggles that are not immediately obvious. Still, there are some signs that teachers and parents can look for that indicate that a student is twice-exceptional.

It is important for teachers and parents to work together to gauge a student’s strengths and problems and develop a plan to support academic, social, and emotional needs. This can involve personalized or tailored study plans to ensure the student can reach their full potential.