Twice Exceptional students have both the characteristics of students with disabilities and of students with outstanding potential. The discrepancy between the superior abilities and the learning difficulties results in feelings of frustration and heightened sense of inefficacy. Their strengths are often evident in the arts and in their ability to think and speak creatively.

 

Twice-exceptional children may demonstrate one or more of these learning challenges:

 

• On tests of ability, their scores may show significant discrepancies of 12 points or more between verbal and nonverbal subtests.

• They have large vocabularies which may be deficient in word meanings and the subtleties of language.

• They may be reading significantly below grade level but have a large storehouse of information on some topics.

• They have the ability to express themselves verbally but an apparent inability to write down any of their ideas.

• They may excel at abstract reasoning but seem unable to remember small details.

• They may seem bright and motivated outside of school but have difficulty with traditional school tasks.

• Their slow reaction speed may result in incomplete work and low test scores on timed tests.

• Their general lack of self-confidence may manifest itself as inflexibility, inability to take risks, super-sensitivity to any type of criticism, helplessness, socially inadequate behaviors, stubbornness, and other behaviors designed to distract others from their learning inadequacies.

• They may lack effective organization and study skills.

 

Ways to Help Twice-Exceptional Students Succeed in School

 

Twice-exceptional children cannot improve simply by “trying harder.” They must be taught specific compensation strategies. They must know and appreciate the fact that they have normal and above-average intelligence. They, and the adults in their lives, need to understand that their brains are dealing with certain physiological factors that influence their ability to learn.

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Resources to further explain Twice Exceptionality and the education related to specific needs of these students:

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This list of what parents may see at home, ways to help, and advocacy tips from the National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC)

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7 Myths About Twice Exceptional Students (as well as a myriad of other resources) on Understood.org

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