Nurturing Twice-Exceptional Kids: A Parent’s Guide

Some children display an impressive knack for mathematics, science, and other school subjects while managing challenges like autism or sensory processing issues. They’re called twice-exceptional kids and have unique skills and special needs.

Twice-exceptionality can be challenging to understand, but you can help your child thrive in any environment with the right tools and support. Learn the strengths and struggles of a twice-exceptional child and how you can support them at home and school.

What is a Twice-Exceptional or 2e Child?

A twice-exceptional child (also known as a 2e child) is both gifted and challenged. They are of “exceptional ability and disability,” and may excel in specific subjects while managing learning differences like dyslexia, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or autism [*].

Twice-exceptional children might demonstrate characteristics like:

• Creative and quick thinking
• Strong sense of curiosity
• Above-average sensitivity
• Low self-esteem and tendencies for perfectionism
• Poor social skills or lack of social cues
• Some cognitive processing deficits
• Behavioral problems resulting from stress or boredom

How Common is Twice-Exceptionality in Children?

A recent US review estimated that about 360,000 students are 2e, with 2 to 5% of gifted students having a co-occurring disability [*]. However, 2e children are often underidentified and overlooked because they are often on grade level despite their learning and social challenges.

Similarly, 2e children are often misdiagnosed, especially when their issues overshadow their giftedness. For example, a 2e child with an intense interest in paleontology or math may be misdiagnosed as autistic, even when they aren’t.

How Do I Know If My Child Is Twice Exceptional?

Identifying twice-exceptional children can be tricky because their symptoms often overlap with other conditions. In addition, there is no universally accepted definition of “gifted,” and the term can vary.

If you suspect your child is 2e, here are some factors to consider.

Common Strengths of a 2e Child

The typical strengths of a 2e child include:

• Creative and divergent thinking: 2e children often think outside the box and can solve problems creatively. They might also demonstrate exceptional skills in visual arts, music, theatre, and other creative outlets.
• Advanced thinking skills: In addition to coming up with unique and unusual solutions to problems, 2e children can learn new concepts quickly and often develop advanced vocabulary for their age.
• Sophisticated sense of humor: 2e children are often witty and can make jokes using wordplay or irony.
• Curiosity and inquisitiveness: 2e children are often eager to learn and will approach new subjects with confident curiosity. They can grasp new concepts easily, even when the details appear tricky.

Common Struggles of a 2e Child

The typical challenges of a 2e child include:

• Social and emotional struggles: Many 2e children demonstrate spectrum traits, such as an inability to understand social cues and high emotional intensity.
• Behavioral issues and underachievement: 2e children may act out in school or at home when bored or underchallenged. They might appear “lazy” when they refuse to do their schoolwork.
• Extreme perfectionism: Because they’re often referred to as gifted or talented, 2e children might develop an intense fear of failure and set impossible expectations for themselves. Facing complex tasks might cause significant distress.
• Learning disabilities: Many 2e children are also diagnosed with learning disabilities like dyslexia, dyscalculia, or dysgraphia. They might also struggle with attention, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity.
• Overstimulation: Many 2e children are highly sensitive to stimuli like noise, bright lights, and crowds, which can lead to overstimulation, intense excitement, or meltdowns.

How is Twice Exceptionality in Children Diagnosed?

2e profiles can be highly complex, but the NAGC’s report on twice-exceptionality helps classify 2e children into three categories:

• Gifted students with no identified disability: They may be perceived as lazy or underachieving and go unnoticed for special education evaluations.
• Students with disabilities but no identified giftedness: They may be inadequately assessed for intellectual abilities and become bored in special programs.
• Students not identified as gifted or disabled: They might not be considered achieving at grade level and are incorrectly assumed to have average abilities. They may struggle with challenging curricula and never be referred for special education.

Professionals may use these categories alongside comprehensive assessments that include:

• IQ testing
• Achievement and skill testing
• Review of school and medical records
• Observation and interviews regarding behavior and emotional health
• Neuropsychological evaluations

Advocating for Your 2e Child at School

Collaborating with your child’s school is critical to nurturing their skills while catering to their needs.

Once your child receives a diagnosis, consider bringing up an individualized education plan (IEP) or a 504. A 2e child with an IEP or 504 might have extra test time, a quiet work space, or specialized tools [*]. Parents can also involve special education professionals through programs like the Twice Exceptional Children’s Association (TECA).

Communicate with your child’s teachers regularly and share what works at home. Ask them to check in often and adjust as necessary. However, some educators are unfamiliar with 2e profiles and may need additional support. If this is the case, you can ask your child’s therapist to collaborate with their teachers and provide helpful resources.

How Can I Support My 2e Child at Home?

Parents play a significant role in how their 2e child develops and thrives. Here’s what you can do to provide support.

Provide a structured routine

Many 2e children prefer a structured routine and some level of predictability. Help them develop a schedule for homework, leisure time, and quality time with friends and family to keep the world around them organized.

You can use a physical calendar or a to-do list to help them break large tasks into smaller ones and comfortably manage their timeline.

Focus on their strengths

Because most 2e children are perfectionists, mistakes and failures can make them feel deeply insecure. You can curb these issues with self-esteem by taking a strengths-based approach to their progress.

Focus on what they do well and enjoy most. Nurturing their strengths and interests can make them more confident and resilient.

Teach coping skills

2e children can get easily frustrated, so it’s vital to equip them with the appropriate coping mechanisms. You can teach them breathing exercises or use calm-down visuals when they feel intense emotions.

Validate their feelings when upset and encourage them to seek help from a family member, teacher, or trusted adult. Remember, 2e children can be hard on themselves when they make mistakes, so work on helping them develop a growth mindset.

Join support networks

Sometimes, 2e children can feel alienated from their peers and classmates. Joining support networks can make them feel supported and less alone.

Families can join the Twice Exceptional 2e Parent Support and Advocacy group on Meetup to share resources and experiences. Parents Helping Parents (PHP) is another support group where parents can join online meetings to share tips.

The Bottom Line

While twice-exceptional children may excel at school and nurture niche interests, they may struggle to develop friendships, lack social cues, have low self-esteem, and become easily frustrated when they make mistakes. Thus, providing support by communicating with your child’s teachers, creating structure at home, and joining support networks can help your 2e child become more confident and self-reliant.

Browse our collection of worksheets to find more resources on how you can support your twice-exceptional child.

Sources:

1. Sharkey RJ, Nickl-Jockschat T. “The neurobiology of autism spectrum disorder as it relates to twice exceptionality.” Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 2023.
2. Jolly JL, Barnard-Brak L. “Special Education Status and Underidentification of Twice-Exceptional Students: Insights from ECLS-K Data.” Education Sciences, 2024.
3. Foley-Nicpon M, Akorede Teriba. “Policy Considerations for Twice-Exceptional Students.” Gifted Child Today, 2022.