2e (Twice-Exceptional) students are both intellectually gifted and learning disabled. Many different conditions cause learning disabilities, including ADHD, anxiety disorders, dyslexia, among others. These conditions do not affect general intelligence, but they can lead to poor school performance because of impacts to student attention, information processing, memory, and reading comprehension. Often having lopsided skills, a 2e student confuses teachers, parents, and other students, who do not understand why the bright student performs inconsistently. 

Because 2e students are highly intelligent and creative, it is very important to find ways to develop these students’ talents without worsening learning disabilities. Specifically, 2e students should develop compensation techniques to bypass deficit areas, allowing their talents to shine. They have unique learning needs, which require flexibility, creativity, and compassion. An important first step is to get a 2e diagnosis from a neuropsychologist, who can discuss what cognitive strengths and weaknesses a student possesses. Parents, teachers, and therapists can then work out strategies to best help the twice-exceptional student.

 2e students are often a mismatch for the traditional school path. Despite their high intelligence, these students may not test well on academic achievement exams like the SAT. They may also have overexcitabilities, which are common to all gifted students. Regardless of their struggles, 2e students show high potential, when they find an environment that is responsive to their needs. I devote much of my research to find ways to help twice-exceptional students thrive.