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Twice Exceptional: Dyslexia & Dysgraphia

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  • Guidebooks: Davidson Institute Guidebooks

    Twice-Exceptionality - Twice-Exceptionality: A Resource Guide for Parents

    The Davidson Institute is committed to supporting the profoundly gifted population including the many children who are twice-exceptional (2E) within our community. Though this isn’t an exhaustive text, this guidebook is meant to act as a launch pad for parents to learn more about twice-exceptionality, the process of identification and assessment, and how to support children who are 2E intellectually, emotionally and socially.

    This guidebook includes:

    • First-Hand Stories from 2E families to give you insights from people who have “been there, done that.”
    • Expert Q & As on a variety of specialized topics with professionals currently working in the fields of twice-exceptionality and education.
    • Resource Highlights that showcase some of the organizations parents in our community have found helpful in navigating the 2E world.
    • Side Notes that include article excerpts which dive deep into topics related to the issues discussed in each section.
    • Parent Tools created by our team to help you translate the section’s information to your own family and situation.
    • Key Takeaways that summarize the main points at the end of each section.
    Beyond the Resource Highlights, each section also cites and discusses additional helpful books, articles, organizations and other resources. All these resources have been conveniently gathered into one page on the Davidson Gifted Database: the 2E Guidebook: Resources and Bibliography page. This page has been divided by section so that you can quickly find the resources discussed as well as additional readings on that section’s main topics.

  • Organizations: National

    Twice Exceptional Children's Advocacy (TECA)
    TECA is the primary online destination for parents of 2e children looking for a community of peers, resources, information and support.

  • Organizations: Regional

    Summit Center (California)
    Summit Center provides educational and psychological assessments, consultations, and treatment for children, their parents, and families, as well as parent discussion groups and educational opportunities. Their specialties include managing stress and anxiety, learning differences such as dyslexia, and issues related to giftedness and twice-exceptionality.

  • Printed Materials: Books

    Dysgraphia: Why Johnny Can't Write
    Written by Diane Walton Cavey, this book is about dysgraphia, a term applied to the symptom of writing difficulty. It is estimated that there is at least one student with dysgraphia in every classroom in the United States. Unfortunately, many of these students are misdiagnosed, or, simply overlooked. In a society in which reading and writing skills are necessities, this is devastating for thousands of youngsters and their families.
    Eli, The Boy Who Hated to Write: Understanding Dysgraphia
    Students (particularly elementary and middle school ages) will enjoy reading this story. Eli describes his feelings about writing and the reactions of his teachers and classmates. Parents and professionals will gain insight into some of the issues, particularly feelings, students may have related to having a writing problem. An appendices includes a list of specific strategies for students that are coping with dysgraphia.
    In the Mind's Eye: Visual Thinkers, Gifted People With Dyslexia and Other Learning Difficulties, Computer Images and the Ironies of Creativity
    Written by Thomas G. West, this book is a hopeful, fascinating study of gifted and profoundly gifted people with learning disabilities and visual-spatial strengths. West's premise is that the things that seem like disabilities to us now at this time in history, may, in the future, be strengths in an increasingly visual world. West also discusses the influence of computers as both creative and compensatory tools for twice-exceptional gifted people.
    Overcoming Dyslexia
    This book is about the roots of dyslexia and offers parents and educators hope that children with reading problems can be helped. For the one in every five children who has dyslexia and the millions of others who struggle to read at their own grade levels—and for their parents, teachers, and tutors—this book can make a difference.
    The Dysgraphia Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Help Your Child
    This book will give you the tools needed to help your child. This includes causes, treatment options for the three types of dysgraphia, a software review for dozens of free and paid programs, suggestions for working with your child’s school, and specific techniques to help your child overcome their dysgraphia.
    The Everything Parent's Guide to Special Education: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Advocating for Your Child with Special Needs
    Children with special needs who succeed in school have one thing in common--their parents are passionate and effective advocates. It's not an easy job, but with this book, parents will learn how to evaluate, prepare, organize, and get quality services, no matter what your child's disability. This valuable handbook provides the tools needed to navigate the complex world of special education and services, with information on: assessment and evaluation; educational needs for different disabilities, including multiple disabilities; current law, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); working within the school system to create an IEP; the importance of keeping detailed records; and dealing with parent-school conflict.
    The Gift of Dyslexia: Why Some of the Brightest People Can't Read and How They Can Learn
    First published in 1995, and written from personal experience, the author offers unique insights into the learning problems and stigmas faced by dyslexics and gives his own tried and tested techniques for overcoming and correcting it demonstrating that sufferers have special talents of perception and imagination.
    The Writing Dilemma: Understanding Dysgraphia
    Written by Regina Richards, this book acknowledges and describes the multiple possible breakdown points that must be considered in a child who is not developing writing skills. The Writing Dilemma offers the education world insight into dysgraphia, acknowledging and describing the multiple possible breakdown points that must be considered for a child who is not developing writing skills.
    Twice Exceptional (2e) Spotlight Series
    Published by the 2eNewsletter, the Spotlight on 2e Series includes 10 titles with more planned in the future: Parenting Your Twice-exceptional Child; Understanding Your Twice-exceptional Student; Understanding the Gifted Child with Attention Deficit; The Twice-exceptional Child with Asperger Syndrome; Guiding the Twice-exception Child: A Collection of Columns by Meredith Warshaw; The 2e Reading Guide: Essential Books for Understanding the Twice-exceptional Child; Caring for the Mental Health of the Twice-exceptional Child; The Mythology of Learning: Understanding Common Myths about 2e Learners; Writing and the 2e Learner: Issues and Strategies; and The Twice-exceptional Child with Dyslexia.

  • Printed Materials: Periodicals/Reports & Studies

    2e: Twice-Exceptional Newsletter
    This website is home to a bi-monthly publication about twice-exceptional children -- those who are gifted and have learning or attention difficulties. Readers will find book reviews, products and profiles of experts, service providers, websites, and email discussion lists. Additional features include news from the 2e field, such as conference coverage, new research findings, information on new medications and a survey that 2e: Twice-Exceptional Newsletter conducted about the needs of gifted kids who also have learning difficulties such as AD/HD, Asperger’s, dyslexia, etc.

  • Schools & Programs: Independent

    Big Minds
    Big Minds is an attachment-based, community focused school designed to give 2e students the time and support necessary to grow into thoughtful, articulate citizens. Our focus is on socio-emotional development that supports both cognitive and creative growth. Students and teachers are continually engaged in a passionate, reciprocal learning process. Our academic work is inquiry-based, dynamic, and follows student interests. Big Minds is designed to help 2e children reach their full intellectual and creative potential, while giving them the necessary skills to be socially competent in the world.
    Bridges Academy (Los Angeles, CA)
    The mission of the Bridges Academy is to educate twice-exceptional (2e) students. The school offers two programs: the Phoenix Program for students ages 9-11, and the 7th-12th grade post-secondary preparatory program.
    Hillside School (Boulder, CO)
    Hillside School provides specialized instruction in reading, writing, and math for students in grades 1-9 in a supportive environment. They set out to enable students who have learning differences, such as dyslexia, to reach their academic potential and become capable and confident learners.
    The Gow School (South Wales, NY)
    The Gow School is a college-prep boarding and day school for students, grades 7-12, with dyslexia and similar language-based learning disabilities.

  • Websites & Other Media: Apps

    Efofex - EmPower Program
    Many students with physical disabilities find mathematics and science extremely difficult to write. The equations and graphics are too difficult to construct with standard tools. Efofex products are designed to make the jobs of mathematics and science teachers easier, but many students with special needs have found that they also provide the assistance they need.
    OT's with Apps & Technology
    This website provides a wealth of information on technology and apps related to Occupational Therapy.

  • Websites & Other Media: Commercial

    Don Johnston Equipment
    This site has software for dyslexic kids that helps compensate for difficulties with written language.

  • Websites & Other Media: Informational

    2e: Twice-Exceptional Newsletter Blog
    This blog, maintained by the publishers of the 2e: Twice-Exceptional Newsletter, shares news, events, and resources found by researchers in the area of twice-exceptionality. The 2e: Twice-Exceptional Newsletter is a bi-monthly electronic publication for those who raise, educate, and counsel high-ability children with learning issues such as AD/HD, dyslexia, Asperger's, and so forth.
    2eNews.com
    2e News provides readers with high-level information and perspectives about twice-exceptional (2e) education and cognitive diversity. They cover a broad range of topics that are essential for all educators, parents, and industry professionals. Their mission is to maintain a fruitful conversation among key stakeholders to improve the lives of gifted students with learning differences.
    A Dyslexic Child in the Classroom: A guide for teachers and parents
    Hosted by the Davis Dyslexia Association International website, this article offers information that may help to inform the misunderstanding of what can appear as a student's carelessness or lack of effort.
    Accommodations and Modifications for Students with Handwriting Problems and/or Dysgraphia
    Written by Susan Jones, M.Ed., this article provides a list of the signs of dysgraphia and ways of accomodating expectations in order to deal with a student's problematic writing.
    Dysgraphia - National Center for Learning Disabilities, Inc. (NCLD)
    This web page published on the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) website, provides a quick reference to characteristics of dysgraphia and lists helpful strategies for handling the disability.
    Dysgraphia: Handwriting Help for Children
    Hosted by Audiblox, this webpage presents an article explaining the symptoms and causes of dysgraphia and how to overcome this disability.
    Dyslexia Online
    This website offers information on the symptoms and signs of dyslexia including directional confusion, sequencing difficulties, difficulties with little words, reading and spelling, late talking or immature speech, difficulties with handwriting, difficulties with math and more.
    Dyslexia the Gift
    This website explores positive talents that give rise to dyslexia and provides insight into the best ways for dyslexic people to learn. It offers information and training in methods for overcoming learning problems, listings of Davis Dyslexia Correction providers, a forum for networking and sharing information and articles and reports exploring different learning styles and educational approaches.
    Dyslexic Advantage
    This website is a place where successes, personal triumphs, and challenges can be shared. It is a place where people can learn from each other and be encouraged.
    Graphomotor Skills: Why Some Kids Hate to Write
    Written by Glenda Thorne, Ph.D. and hosted on the Center for Development and Learning's website, this article provides some deeper explainations on the complex components of handwriting and the breakdowns that can sometimes be experienced.
    Smart Kids Who Hate To Write (DVD)
    Does your child seem lazy, sloppy, and unmotivated? He or she could be suffering from a writing glitch called Dysgraphia, which is easily corrected. Some children have to use so much energy for the writing process that they are reluctant to put pencil to paper for anything!