Search Database

Twice Exceptional: Learning Disabilities

• Developmental: Twice Exceptional

  2e Students: Who They Are and What They Need

  In this article, the author describes how to best identify twice-exceptional students and meet their learning needs.

  Accommodating 2e students

  Written by Linda C. Neumann, this article provides general advice on the best accomodations for twice-exceptional students.

  An Ameli Anomaly: Parenting a twice-exceptional girl

  This article by Kiesa Kay discusses the traits of one profoundly gifted twice-exceptional child. It covers how her parents coped with both her extraordinary gifts and her disability in the school and home settings. Included are a number of references supporting the article.

  At a Glance: Classroom Accommodations for Slow Processing Speed

  Kids with slow processing speed can have trouble keeping up in class, participating in discussions and staying focused. Here are some classroom accommodations that may help.

  Boredom: A Surprisingly Interesting Topic

  This article provides advice on intervention parents can take when their twice exceptional child complains of boredom in school.

  Clarification of Federal Law as It Applies to Twice-exceptional Students

  This article offers descriptions of clarifications of federal law made by the Department of Justice and the Department of Education to guide practice. These clarifications relate to gifted students with disabilities and should be used to guide school policy.

  College Success for Students with Learning Disabilities

  BOOK REVIEW (Davidson Institute) – Written by Cynthia G. Simpson, Ph.D. and Vicky G. Spencer, Ph.D., this book offers teens the confidence, strategies, and guidance they need to effectively choose a college, get prepared for university life, and make the most of their collegiate experience. Special sections also discuss ADHD and Asperger’s syndrome.

  Compensation strategies used by high-ability students with learning disabilities who succeed in college

  This article examines students who are gifted but also have learning disabilities. It focuses mainly on the college student, but emphasizes the importance of learning compensation strategies at an early age in order to overcome, to an extent, the learning disability that lies beneath. The article talks, in detail, about various compensation strategies that are successful for these individuals...strategies that were found in a study of successful college students who were both gifted and learning disabled. Authored by Sally Reis, Joan McGuire and Terry Neu.

  Developing Self-Regulation of Learning with 2e Students

  This article covers the role of self-regulation in learning related to 2e students; a four-phased approach to developing self-regulation; steps for achieving greater self-regulation; and more.
  

  Differentiate or Accommodate?

  This article is the third of a series of articles contributed to 2e Newsletter by Bridges Academy, a school for twice-exceptional students in Studio City, California. Over the school’s 15-year history, its faculty and administrators have had the opportunity to evaluate models and practices suggested by the research of Dr. Susan Baum and other leading scholars; and they will be sharing some of what they have learned.

  Dual exceptionalities

  This article by Colleen Willard-Holt offers guidelines for identifying dual exceptionalities in children. Traits of gifted students with specific disabilites are discussed as well as identification strategies and instruction practices that work well for these students. The article is divided into two parts -- testing and considerations -- for identifying and working with this population.

  Finding a school that fits

  In this article, Barbara Probst discusses important factors to consider when choosing the right school for your gifted child.

  Follow the Fear: Anticipating Missteps in Learning to Write

  This article provides information on overcoming the fear of writing.

  Gifted and Learning Disabled: A Neuropsychologist’s Perspective

  In this article Nadia Webb and Antara Dietrich discuss the challenges in being twice-exceptional; children being defined by their gifts or their deficits, but not both.

  Gifted children with learning disabilities: A review of the issues

  This article by Linda Brody and Carol Millson is about the twice-exceptionality of gifted children with learning disabilities. It identifies, defines, and discusses interventions. It also has an excellent and extensive bibliography.

  Health Care Providers Know Little About Gifted Children

  This article by Jean Goerss, M.D; Rick Clouse, M.D; and James Webb, Ph.D. talk about how parents need to be an advocate for their children when it comes to teachers and physicians. Many professionals have not dealt with children who are gifted.

  Helping 2e kids in the transition to college

  This article, written by Meredith G. Warshaw, was first printed in the July 2006 2e Newsletter and discusses how parents can help 2e students prepare for college life, including advocating for themselves.

  Managing life with a challenging child: What to do when your gifted but difficult child is driving you crazy

  Written by Barbara Probst, this article explains the challenges involved with raising "difficult" children. She provides a number of options on how to nourish your child's strengths and discusses the importance of looking at the whole child.

  Math Limits

  This article provides information on understanding and helping students with dyscalculia.

  More life with Max

  In this article by Patricia Estes, the author shares "I have found that the working definition for identifying gifted children that Kathi Kearney gave me years ago still works! She summed it up in the simplest of terms: 'Patti, these kids are 'too'! They are 'too' active, 'too' consumed by issues of fairness, 'too' argumentative, 'too' awake, 'too' emotional, 'too' able to see through the games of life and 'too' unwilling to play them!'"

  Parenting 2e kids – A kid’s perspective

  This article is written by Kelsey Ganes, a self-admitted multi-exceptional young adult. She offers parents advice on twice-exceptionality from a teen's point of view.

  Parenting Post-Secondary Students with Disabilities: Becoming the Mentor, Advocate, and Guide Your Young Adult Needs

  This article provides parents advice on assisting adolescents with disabilities.

  Preparing Your 2e Child for the Transition to College

  In this article, two professionals who help twice-exceptional students and their families make the transition to college provide numerous strategies.

  Reading and learning disabilities: A resource guide

  This article is a compilation of resources to help with identification of learning disabilities in young people. The different types of learning disabilities are discussed and pointers for identifying each type are listed. Treatment options are suggested along with teaching and parenting strategies.

  Reflections of a Teacher of 2e Students

  In this article, Dennis Higgins recalls his career teaching twice exceptional students, discussing his teaching methods and resources used.

  Smart IEPs - Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy - The Special Education Survival Guide

  Parents and teachers can learn more about individualized education programs from this chapter from the book, Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy, authored by Pam and Pete Wright.

  Special ed or gifted? It may be hard to tell

  This article by Susan Winebrenner uses case studies of two twice-exceptional children. The two students experience disparate environments and have very different outcomes. Winebrenner is a former gifted education teacher who now does professional development consulting.

  Special Education Process: IEP vs. 504 Plan

  This article provides information on both the IEP and 504 plans, as well as who qualifies for each of them.

  Strategies for Teaching Twice-exceptional Students

  This article provides a number of strategies for teachers who work with learning-disabled students, teachers who work with gifted potential, and guidelines for parents.

  The college search process for GT/LD students
  

  This article walks students and parents through a process of how to select the best college matched to the individual student's needs, particularly if the student is twice exceptional. A table outlines the levels of support available in college.

  The Goldilocks Question: How to Support your 2e Child and Get it “Just Right”

  This article examines three situations common to twice-exceptional children and their parents. From them, guidelines to help parents determine just how much support to give their struggling twice-exceptional children are provided.

  The Role of Parents in Helping Gifted Children with Learning Problems

  In this article, Joyce VanTassel-Baska provides information on principals parents of twice-exceptional learners can apply in working with their own children who may have learning problems.

  The Search for Shangri-La: Finding the Appropriate Educational Environment for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Children, A Parents Guide

  This article provides strategies designed to help parents navigate the convoluted public education system and ultimately find the appropriate educational environment for their child.

  The Tortoise Hypotheses
  

  This article by George W. Dorry, Ph.D. addresses some of the psychological measures of processing speed and outlines some hypotheses to explain individual cases.

  Those 2e "bad kids"

  This article written by Nadia Webb, PsyD, ABPdN, discusses three categories of 2e children whose disabilities and/or giftedness that is likely to remain unrecognized or misunderstood.

  Understanding the 2e Brain

  In this article, Dr. Michael Postma does a great job of discussing how typical child development impacts the presentation of twice-exceptionality and vice versa.

  Understanding, Diagnosing, and Coping with Slow Processing Speed

  In this article, Steven M. Butnik takes a look at a number of options regarding slow processing speed.

  Using Cognitive Behavioral Counseling Strategies to Reverse Underachievement

  In this article, the author provides numerous tips on preventing underachievement among gifted students.

  What’s Wrong with Me?

  This article provides advice on helping 2e children work on their exceptionalities while not having it feel like “therapy”, as well as focusing on their strengths.

  Writing Transcripts - excerpt from "Forging Paths: Beyond Traditional Schooling"

  This excerpt from "Forging Paths: Beyond Traditional Schooling", by Wes Beach, takes a look at a number of examples of high school transcripts.

• Educational Options: Educational Planning

  The Difference Between IEPs and 504 Plans

  This article compares and contrasts IEPs and 504 Plans.

• Parenting: Parenting Strategies

  Parenting Twice-Exceptional Children through Frustration to Success

  Written by Beverly Trail, this article provides parents advice on how to best assist their twice-exceptional children.

• Parenting: Tips for Parents

  Tips for Parents: 2e Evaluations

  This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Dr. Edward R. Amend. The article is in Q&A format and covers a variety of topics related to 2e evaluations.

  Tips for Parents: Cleared For Launch - Transition Planning for Twice-Exceptional Kids

  This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Dr. Aimee Yermish about the transition to adulthood for twice-exceptional students.

  Tips for Parents: Gifted With Challenges - Understanding and Supporting Your Twice-Exceptional Child

  This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar by Meredith Warshaw and Sarah Wayland, who take a unique look at parenting twice-exceptional students.

  Tips for Parents: Is Boarding School a Good Consideration for my Gifted or 2E Student?

  This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Heidi Molbak. She addresses the many considerations a family will have when evaluating whether boarding school might be a good option for a gifted or 2e student.

  Tips for Parents: Meeting the Diverse Needs of Twice-Exceptional Students

  This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Megan Foley Nicpon, who discusses a number of ways to conduct successful educational interventions and the definition of "Twice-Exceptional."

  Tips for Parents: Meeting the Needs of Twice-Exceptional Children

  This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar by Meredith Warshaw who offers advice on a number of issues (i.e. assessment, schooling, siblings).

  Tips for Parents: Tailoring Positive Discipline for the 2E Child

  The Tips for Parents article is based upon a seminar hosted by Catherine Gruener. She provided a number of resources, tips, and guidance in understanding and tailoring some of the key foundations of Positive Discipline (Lott & Nelsen, 2012) with parents of twice-exceptional children.

  Tips for Parents: Teaching Cheetahs to Hunt: Practical strategies for teaching executive functioning and academic skills for gifted and twice-exceptional kids

  This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Aimee Yermish, an educational therapist specializing in work with children who are gifted, learning-disabled, or twice-exceptional. She discusses the transition from “child prodigy” to “eminent adult” and why it is not always an easy transition for gifted students.

  Tips for Parents: Twice Exceptional

  This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Dr. Esther Sinclair, who offers seven brief tips on twice exceptionalities.

  Tips for Parents: Twice exceptional students - Who are they and what do they need?

  This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Dr. Edward R. Amend. He describes the complex needs of 2e students.

• Support Materials: Book Reviews

  Bright Kids Who Can't Keep Up: Help Your Child Overcome Slow Processing Speed and Succeed in a Fast-Paced World

  BOOK REVIEW (Davidson Institute) - This book review gives a brief view of what the reader can learn from authors Drs. Ellen Braaten and Brian Willoughby in their book, Bright Kids Who Can't Keep Up.

  Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults

  BOOK REVIEW (Davidson Institute) - Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults addresses the development issues and implications of misunderstanding gifted young people and adults. The authors James, Edward, Nadia, Jean, Paul, and Richard emphasize the need for greater awareness of how giftedness (in the context of environmental factors) impacts the diagnostic process. In addition, the book provides ideas on appropriate interventions that will hopefully improve the quality of life for gifted individuals and those who interact with them.

  Smart Kids with Learning Difficulties: Overcoming Obstacles and Realizing Potential

  BOOK REVIEW (Davidson Institute) - By authors Rich Weinfeld, Linda Barnes-Robinson, Sue Jeweler and Betty Roffman Shevitz, this book, Smart Kids with Learning Difficulties: Overcoming Obstacles and Realizing Potential, is highly recommended for any parent, educator or counselor interacting with gifted children with learning disabilities.

  Smart kids with school problems: Things to know and ways to help

  BOOK REVIEW (Davidson Institute) - Written by Priscilla and Patricia Vail, Smart kids with school problems: Things to know and ways to help covers strategies for helping students who are both learning disabled and gifted. The book also includes positive personal accounts of twice-exceptional students who have become highly successful learners in school.

• Talent Development: Summer Programs

  2e-Friendly Summer Camp Listing

  Published in the 2e Newsletter, this article provides a listing of good summer camps for twice-exceptional students.