What is Twice-Exceptionality (2E) in Gifted Education?

Concerning the mini-lesson, this week we focused on common “maddening myths” about gifted education (see below). Students were presented with a myth and asked to break it down from their own perspective while being exposed to the “fact” in the Gifted Teen Survival Guide (sometimes I borrow from this excellent book in addition to the Gifted Kids Survival Guide).

We used myth number four (“gifted kids are good at everything they do”) to segue into a discussion about twice-exceptionality. I let students know, even if they don’t identify as twice-exceptional themselves, they will encounter many students on their educational journey who do, and it’s beneficial to be aware of this definition and the specific challenges involved (see images below).

We also discussed Famous 2e people in history (a brief list) and analyzed corresponding quotes.

• Hans Christian Andersen 
• Simone Weil 
• Mozart 
• Beethoven 
• Archimedes 
• Vincent van Gogh 
• Isaac Newton 
• Nikola Tesla 
• Einstein 
• Henry Cavendish

In addition, we took a look at two articles addressing the history of twice-exceptionality and current best practices:

https://www.davidsongifted.org/gifted-blog/2e-students-who-they-are-and-what-they-need/

https://losangeles.bridges.edu/uploads/6/3/7/5/63751333/gct_article--_history_of_the_field.pdf

Optional journal questions for the week:

1. Of all the myths you were exposed to regarding what it means to be gifted, do you think there is one that is especially harmful? How would society go about changing this?

2. Of all the myths you were exposed to, has one or more showed up in your life in the form of behavior or hurtful words from others? How did you react? How will you react in the future?

3. Concerning twice-exceptionality, do you think it is more important for people to build on their strengths or work on their weaknesses? Is it possible to address both strengths and weaknesses at the same time? How would your schedule address this?

Go Deeper (Additional Resources):

2e Twice-Exceptional: https://www.2enews.com/what-is-2e-a-guide-to-twice-exceptionality/

Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development at the University of Iowa: https://belinblank.education.uiowa.edu/
https://belinblank.education.uiowa.edu/students/2eacademy/

Gifted Child Quarterly: https://journals.sagepub.com/home/gcq

Gifted Child Today: https://journals.sagepub.com/home/gct

Journal for the Education of the Gifted: https://journals.sagepub.com/home/jeg

Gifted Development Center: https://gifteddevelopment.org/

Hoagies: https://www.hoagiesgifted.org/

PROJECT2EXCEL: https://www.stthomas.edu/project2excel/about-the-project/

Uniquely Gifted: https://uniquelygifted.org/useful_books.htm

Social Thinking: https://www.socialthinking.com/Resources

https://www.theneurodiversitycollective.com/ 

https://www.davidsongifted.org/resource-library/gifted-resources-guides/guides-to-twice-exceptional-students/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA35urBhDCARIsAOU7Qwl5bkNNBRfOTLsf-da1_Zae9FgvZF0l1JAcs9K1myoeLmbdSTYIJooaAk2OEALw_wcB

Books to Consider:
Visual Thinking by Temple Grandin
The Highly Sensitive Person/Parent/Child (3 books by Elaine Aaron)
Rainforest Mind by Paula Prober
Living with Intensity by Susan Daniels
Bright Not Broken by Kennedy, Banks, and Grandin
Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children by James T. Webb and Edward R. Amend and others
Uniquely Gifted: Identifying and Meeting the Needs of the Twice-Exceptional Student (edited by Kiesa Kay)
Social/Emotional Issues, Underachievement, and Counseling of Gifted and Talented Students