Gifted Kids and Disabilities – What Parents Need to Know about 2e
Many gifted children have a disability or condition that requires specialized assistance beyond advanced schoolwork. These kids are considered twice-exceptional (2e), and often qualify for a 504 plan or an IEP and services to promote their academic success. 2e students often struggle to reach their potential due to lack of appropriate support. An accurate diagnosis can pave the way for accommodations, services, and understanding to help 2e kids thrive.
Could your gifted child be considered twice-exceptional (2e)? If they struggle with 1 or more of the following issues, they may qualify for 2e accommodations:
1. Attention issues
Many gifted kids struggle with focusing and time management. They may be prone to daydreaming, forgetting homework, or struggling to stay seated in class. Sometimes these kids have an executive functioning impairment, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). When they do, there are several accommodations that can support them such as strategic seating, visual aids, transition warnings, or segmented assignments.
2. Specific Learning Disabilities
When people think of a gifted child, they often picture a 4.2 GPA and A’s in every subject. However, gifted kids often excel in certain subjects and struggle in others. Sometimes this is due to specific learning disabilities (SLD) that impact their writing, reading, or math. If a child receives a diagnosis, they may become eligible for accommodations such as dictation software, calculators, or extended time on tests.
Think your gifted student may have a diagnosis that impacts their learning? Schedule your consultation to learn how we can help
3. Anxiety
Gifted children often have intense emotions, which can cause their bodies to get stuck in a heightened state of stress. 2e kids are especially prone to anxiety since they know they’re highly capable, but may feel held back by their disability. Stress can affect their focus and decision-making, causing them to freeze during tests and fail to show their true knowledge.
4. Obsessive compulsive disorder
Without healthy coping mechanisms, a gifted child’s anxiety can sometimes develop into obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD is characterized by persistent intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive rituals (compulsions); these symptoms can consume the student’s focus, causing their grades, relationships, and emotional health to suffer.
5. Mood & emotional disturbances
Conditions such as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder disrupt a student’s emotional ability to excel academically. Sometimes, a gifted child’s disability stems from their giftedness. For example, many gifted kids are so intellectually advanced that they don’t feel like they fit in with their peers. This can put them at heightened risk for depression or suicide. Gifted kids can also develop an unhealthy level of perfectionism, which sometimes develops into eating disorders or emotional overeating.
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6. Behavior issues
Sometimes the mental and emotional struggles a student faces can contribute to behavioral issues. Boredom, frustration, and stress can make it difficult for 2e kids to stay on their best behavior. While it’s normal for all kids to occasionally act out, some gifted students develop Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), which is characterized by a pattern of disobedient behaviors toward authority figures.
7. Processing Disorders
Processing Disorders impact a child’s ability to recognize and interpret information taken in by their senses. There are several types of processing disorders, with the most common conditions being visual processing disorder (VPD) & auditory processing disorder (APD). Kids with VPD can usually see perfectly fine, but their brain struggles to process what their eyes perceive. Similarly, kids with APD aren’t usually hard of hearing, but struggle with distinguishing and remembering sounds. Without appropriate support, kids with processing disorders can fall behind in school, regardless of their giftedness.
Think your kid may have a processing disorder? Check out these resources:
American Optometric Association
American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology
American Auditory Association to find a provider who can help
8. Social struggles
Twice-exceptional kids can develop a negative self-image when focusing on their differences. This can lead to them withdrawing from friends and family. Sometimes a gifted child’s social struggles are a symptom of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a neurological condition that impacts the areas of the brain which navigate social situations. It’s critical for students with ASD to receive appropriate interventions to support their social and academic lives.
Could your teen’s social struggles be due to
Autism Spectrum Disorder?
9. Shutting others out
Well-meaning loved ones sometimes hold 2e kids to unrealistically high standards; this is because they know they are talented and don’t want anything holding them back. They may not even realize their kid has a disability, as gifted kids sometimes use their strengths to hide areas of struggle. Unfortunately, this can result in them not being open with loved ones about their problems. An Educational Psychologist can help you gain a thorough understanding of your child’s challenges, and assist you in fostering open communication.
How we can help
If a child is excelling in one subject area but falling behind in others, our Doctors can provide psychological testing to determine if they have a 2e diagnosis. We offer educational consulting to ensure your student’s IEP team understands how their giftedness and disability should inform their educational plan.
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More about Variations Psychology
Variations Psychology is a group practice specializing in diagnostic testing to identify psychological conditions. Our primary focus is Educational Psychology, guiding families on beneficial pathways toward student success and training educators in effective strategies to maximize student potential.
Our comprehensive evaluations test for conditions that impact mental health and development such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, depression, anxiety, learning disorders, and developmental delays.
In addition to diagnostic services, we offer Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) of K-12 students to assess needs for accommodations in school and determine their appropriate placements. IEEs provide an objective second opinion on existing IEP and 504 Plans.
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References:
Arky, B. (n.d.). Twice-Exceptional Kids: Both Gifted and Challenged. Child Mind Institute Retrieved from https://childmind.org/article/twice-exceptional-kids-both-gifted-and-challenged/
Position Statement (n.d.). National Association for Gifted Children. Retrieved from https://www.nagc.org/sites/default/files/Position%20Statement/Definition%20of%20Giftedness%20%282019%29.pdf
Shinn. M.M. (2018). 10 Ways to Connect with Your Grumpy Teenager. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/10-ways-to-connect-with-your-grumpy-teenager
Shinn. M.M. (2019). Could I Have ADHD or Executive Functioning Issues? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/could-i-have-adhd-or-executive-functioning-issues
Shinn. M.M. (2019). Could My Teen Have Autism? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/could-my-teen-have-autism
Shinn. M.M. (2019). I Can’t Spell Dyslexia – Do I Have It? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/i-cant-spell-dyslexia-do-i-have-it
Shinn. M.M. (2019). My Kid is So Defiant – Is It My Fault? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/my-kid-is-so-defiant-is-it-my-fault
Shinn. M.M. (2019). My Kid Struggles with Writing – How Can I Help? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/my-kid-struggles-with-writing-how-can-i-help
Shinn. M.M. (2019). Preventing Student Suicide with Just a Few Simple Questions. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/preventing-student-suicide-with-just-a-few-simple-questions
Shinn. M.M. (2019). Take the Stress out of Tests! 11 Ways to Manage Anxiety. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/take-the-stress-out-of-tests-11-ways-to-manage-test-anxiety
Shinn. M.M. (2019). Why is My Kid Struggling So Much with Math? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/why-is-my-kid-struggling-so-much-with-math
Supporting Twice-Exceptional Students (n.d.). National Association for Gifted Children. Retrieved from https://www.nagc.org/supporting-twice-exceptional-students
Tetreault, N. (2019). Neuroscience of Anxiety in the Brain. Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted. Retrieved from https://www.sengifted.org/post/neuroscience-of-anxiety-in-the-bright-brain
Twice-Exceptional at Home and School (n.d.). National Association for Gifted Children. Retrieved from https://www.nagc.org/twice-exceptional-home-and-school
Twice-Exceptional Students (n.d.). National Association for Gifted Children. Retrieved from https://www.nagc.org/resources-publications/resources-parents/twice-exceptional-students
Webb, J.T. (2011). Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children. Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted. Retrieved from https://www.sengifted.org/post/misdiagnosis-and-dual-diagnosis-of-gifted-children
How to Cite This Blog Article:
Shinn. M.M. (2020). Gifted Kids and Disabilities – What Parents Need to Know about 2e. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/what-parents-need-to-know-about-2e