Who Are Twice-Exceptional Children?
A twice exceptional child is a student who is identified as gifted AND has also been formally diagnosed with one or more disabilities.
- A twice excpetional student is often times abbreviated as "2E"
Colorado Department of Education Defintion of 2E Students:
Twice-exceptional students are:
1. Students who are identified as gifted and talented in one or more areas of exceptionality.
For example:
And also identified with:
2. A disability defined by Federal/State eligibility criteria which qualifies the student for an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 Plan. For example:
- A twice excpetional student is often times abbreviated as "2E"
Colorado Department of Education Defintion of 2E Students:
Twice-exceptional students are:
1. Students who are identified as gifted and talented in one or more areas of exceptionality.
For example:
- General or specific intellectual ability
- Specific academic aptitude
- creative or productive thinking
- Leadership abilities
- Visual arts, performing arts, musical or psychomotor abilities
And also identified with:
2. A disability defined by Federal/State eligibility criteria which qualifies the student for an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 Plan. For example:
- A specific learning disability
- Significant identifiable emotional disability
- Physical disabilities
- Sensory disabilities
- Autism
- ADHD
Research indicates that 2-5% of the population will have disabilities, and 2-5% of those students with disabilities are gifted (Dix & Schafer, 1996, Whitmore, 1980 & Maker, 1977).
http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/gifted_talented/twice-exceptional/docs/2E%20Manual.pdf
Twice-exceptional students who are gifted and also have learning disabilities are at-risk because their educational and social/emotional needs often go undetected. The reason these students needs often go undetected is because the effects of a learning disability can suppress a child’s giftedness, or the child’s giftedness can hide his or her learning challenges. As a result, students often produce inconsistent academic performance, which leads many educators to believe that these students are simply not putting forth enough effort or have a lack of concern for their schoolwork. A lot of these twice-exceptional students are hindered from achieving their full potential and the frustration experienced can often result in behavioral and social/emotional issues. When these needs go undetected, school can become a very frustrating and struggling experience for students, teachers, and parents.
http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/gifted_talented/twice-exceptional/docs/2E%20Manual.pdf
Twice-exceptional students who are gifted and also have learning disabilities are at-risk because their educational and social/emotional needs often go undetected. The reason these students needs often go undetected is because the effects of a learning disability can suppress a child’s giftedness, or the child’s giftedness can hide his or her learning challenges. As a result, students often produce inconsistent academic performance, which leads many educators to believe that these students are simply not putting forth enough effort or have a lack of concern for their schoolwork. A lot of these twice-exceptional students are hindered from achieving their full potential and the frustration experienced can often result in behavioral and social/emotional issues. When these needs go undetected, school can become a very frustrating and struggling experience for students, teachers, and parents.