Twice-exceptional students or 2e students are among the most under-identified people groups in schools. There are two reasons for this. The first is the vast majority of school districts do not have procedures in place for identifying twice-exceptional students. The second reasons is poor identification which leads to the lack of access to appropriate educational services. Twice-exceptional students are naturally difficult to identify because of the traits that they have. Without appropriate educational programming, twice exceptional students and their talents often times go unrealized.
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What Does Twice Exceptional Mean?
The term “twice exceptional” or “2e” refers to extremely smart and gifted children who have one or more learning disabilities like dyslexia, ADHD, or autism. Twice-exceptional children think and process information differently. Like many other gifted children, 2e kids may be more emotionally and intellectually sensitive than children of average intelligence. However there are drawbacks to being 2e. Due to uneven development or their learning differences, twice exceptional kids struggle with what other kids do fairly easily. Because of their unique intelligence, 2e students need a special combination of education programs and counseling support, which can be very difficult to come by unfortunately.
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Characteristics of 2e Students
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Twice exceptional children tend to have a unique combination of strengths and weaknesses. They can excel in certain areas while struggling with others. Let’s take a look at some common characteristics of twice exceptional students:
- They often possess advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- They may be highly sensitive and react strongly to sensory stimuli like sounds, tastes, and smells.
- Curiosity comes naturally to them, and they may have a voracious appetite for learning.
- Because of their perfectionist tendencies, they may struggle with low self-esteem.
- Social skills may be a challenge for them, despite their intelligence.
- They tend to be able to focus deeply and intently on topics of interest.
- Processing issues can make reading and writing difficult for them.
- Underlying stress, boredom, and lack of motivation can lead to behavioral issues.
How Do You Identify Twice Exceptional Students?
Identifying twice exceptional students can be a challenging task. It involves identifying both their exceptional strengths and their disabilities. Sometimes, the disability shows up late. “Masking” is the term for this. This makes it even harder to identify the student’s unique needs. Unfortunately, most school districts don’t have any procedures in place for identifying or supporting twice-exceptional children. As a result, many of these students remain undiscovered and don’t receive the academic support they need.
According to NAGC’s report on twice exceptionality, 2e kids may be in one of three categories:
- Students identified as gifted but do not have an identified disability may:
- 2e students identified as having a disability but not as being gifted may:
- Students not formally identified as gifted or disabled may:
Because of the difficulty of identifying twice-exceptional students and the lack of awareness in school districts, 2e kids may not receive a diagnosis for being either having a gift or disability or both. This can affect twice exceptional students in a negative way resulting in the possibility of them to drop out of school.
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In conclusion, identifying and supporting twice exceptional (2e) students is a crucial but challenging task that requires understanding and awareness. Due to the lack of procedures in many school districts, these exceptional individuals often go unrecognized, leading to missed opportunities for appropriate educational support. 2e students possess unique combinations of strengths and weaknesses, such as advanced critical thinking skills alongside learning disabilities. It is essential to identify both their exceptional abilities and disabilities to provide tailored education and support. By addressing the needs of 2e students, we can unlock their full potential and ensure they receive the necessary resources to thrive academically and emotionally. Let’s strive to create inclusive environments that embrace and nurture the talents of twice exceptional students.
FAQs About Twice Exceptional Students
What are twice exceptional students? Twice exceptional students, or 2e students, are those who have exceptional abilities in one or more areas but also have a disability or learning difference that affects their academic performance. How do you identify a twice exceptional student? Identifying a twice exceptional student can be challenging, as it requires identifying both their areas of exceptional strength and their disability. Sometimes, the disability may be difficult to detect, which is known as "masking." What are some common characteristics of twice exceptional students? Some common characteristics of twice exceptional students include high levels of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, heightened sensitivity to sensory stimuli, high curiosity, poor social skills, low self-esteem due to perfectionism, and difficulty with reading and writing due to processing issues. How can schools better support twice exceptional students? Schools can better support twice exceptional students by implementing procedures for identifying and meeting the unique academic needs of these students, providing access to specialized programs and resources, and collaborating with parents and outside experts to create individualized education plans. What are some resources available for parents of twice exceptional children? There are several resources available for parents of twice exceptional children, including support groups, advocacy organizations, and online communities. Some examples include the National Twice-Exceptional Community of Practice, the Twice-Exceptional Children's Advocacy organization, and the 2e Newsletter.
This post was originally published on 09/23/2021. It was updated on 06/21/2023.
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