Twice Exceptional Gifted Children
“My child is failing all his classes, has repeated a grade and is very disruptive at school. We had him tested and his IQ was 132! What can we do?” – An actual question in my practice. The sound of a “very smart child” having any problems at school, let alone learning problems, might sound contradictory or even bizarre. But the reality is that this more common than many parents think. In fact, research has shown that as much as 30% of the gifted population exhibit co-ocurring learning disorders. These students are often referred to as “twice exceptional,” because giftedness can pose additional challenges beyond learning disorders.
It is not uncommon to find a high IQ student who has obvious strengths in specific areas, such as advanced verbal and social skills, but when it comes down to writing for instance, it’s completely illegible. This is the student who can do exceedingly well in an oral exam but will fail miserably in an essay-type test.
On the other side of the spectrum, we have the disruptive types. This is the student who is not receptive to social cues, is defiant, oppositional and well, let’s be honest, just plain obnoxious. However, he excels in leadership, art, math or other areas.
Research show that twice-exceptional children, meaning those who are gifted with a specific learning disability (e.g. dyslexia, ADHD), are one of the most under-served populations in schools. Moreover, those who aren’t adequately placed or given adequate accommodations, are twice as likely to drop out of school by the time they reach 10th grade. Because they are smart, they have learned to overcompensate for their limitations and end up “scraping by” throughout most of school. But as these kids enter adulthood and the curriculum becomes more challenging, without proper accommodations for their unidentified learning disabilities they end up giving up. The result is, studies say: emotional turmoil, low self- depression, and even the possibility of developing antisocial behavior.
What can you do to help your twice exceptional child?
As parents, begin to document as much as possible. Make a portfolio or journal your child’s each and every accomplishment, such as awards, leadership roles, projects, and other samples of outstanding work. At the same time, collect evidence of areas of difficulty, writing samples, test scores, teacher notes of disruptive behavior, etc… The next step is to have him tested. An obvious initial assessment is as IQ test. Then proceed with any additional assessments the psychologist recommends to pin point areas of weakness, such as specific learning disabilities, ADHD, conduct or mood disorders. Look for a qualified and experienced psychologist who is knowledgeable in twice-exceptional students. Don’t forget to bring your documentation, including work samples and a copy of his last progress report to the appointment. Child-Testing specializes in giftedness and twice-exceptional students. Call (813)468-6528 for more information.
The next challenge is to advocate. It is important not get too frustrated with this process. Be prepared for some set backs and try to be flexible with your options. Many parents find the best option is to move their child to another school or district, look into charter or magnet schools or FLvirtualSchool. This will take time some research, patience and perhaps some extra driving. It is not an easy road for these square pegs living in round holes. Don’t let them fall through the cracks!
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