Parents, How Can You Support Your Twice-Exceptional Child (Both Gifted and Challenged)?

A child who is gifted or has a learning disability diagnosis can face challenges making schooling and personal interactions difficult. Being a 2e child, or twice-exceptional child, can bring a different set of challenges since they operate at both ends of the spectrum. Per the National Association for Gifted Children, there is approximately 6 percent of children who receive special education services that also qualify as gifted. Many may not be officially classified as such.

While there are structures in place in many school systems to assist with this, it isn’t always an easy path to travel down. Being aware of their struggles and providing a good support foundation at home is the best way to set them up for the most success possible. Here’s how you can help.

Be Their Advocate

Depending on the school system you are in, due in part to the socioeconomic disparities, some services may not be as easily available. There is also the possibility that one of their e’s is masking the other, or both are masking each other well enough that they are under the radar.

Advocate for your children if you notice they are falling behind. Set up meetings with their teachers to have more in-depth discussions. Open the door for accommodations to be made for your child to achieve more and do better. There is great value in collaborating with the teachers and other staff members.

Understand Their IEP

Many children with learning disabilities will have what is called an IEP. The individualized learning program is a legal contract that provides accommodations to allow the child’s needs to be met. These plans do not often include accommodations for gifted needs. If that is something your child needs, ask that those be written into the IEP plan so the school will work with that as well. One key thing is to advocate that this is a priority EQUAL to the learning disability. Often, the writer of the IEP will want to address the problem area first, but then the gifted aspect will go untouched.

Aide In Learning Strategies

2e children tend to struggle with what is called asynchronous learning. Some subjects will be easier to understand than others but with a greater discrepancy. They may be way ahead of their classmates in one subject area but falling very behind in another. This can be exceptionally frustrating to your child, and they may not know how to express that emotion or struggle with you. You know your child better than anyone. What strategies work for them in other settings and at home? Try to incorporate those into the classroom to promote successful learning.

Stay Positive

Classroom activities may be a challenge for a 2e learner, but it doesn’t mean that they won’t excel in different ways. These children are often very creative types and can grow up to be hugely successful adults. They have a different lens through which they view the world, making their thinking unique and valuable. Teach them that their “difference” is actually their best strength. Competition is also a driver for success, so guide your child in finding like people. Through this interaction, they can build strong relationships. There are also programs in the community that offer children and families a setting where they can thrive.

Professional Services

The struggle doesn’t always have to be real. Is your child showing signs of being both challenged and gifted? If so, there are plenty of ways to address it. You can give them all the building blocks needed to thrive in life. Let us help you in guiding your child to excel further! Child or teen therapy can help them thrive, feel free to contact us.