Why Identification of 2E Students is So Important
Twice-Exception (2E) students often go undetected. The reason 2E students 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. This means that a child’s strengths, disabilities, or both may not be identified- which is problematic because to be recognized as 2E, the student must be identified as gifted, as well as, have been formally diagnosed with a learning disability. (This process is known as 'masking'.)
To identify 2E students, it requires a collaborative effort between classroom teachers, special educators, gifted educators, and parents. Until students are identified, and educators understand 2E needs, these students will continue to be hindered from achieving their full potential and lack the strategies to cope with the social/emotional complexities that derive from their mixed abilities. Once a 2E student is identified, their strength's and weaknesses are documented, understood, and more likely to be addressed. This is why early identification of 2E students is especially important. Low self-esteem is one of the most common characteristics of 2E children, and these individuals are often greatly relieved when identified because the burden of "fault" and lack of succes in school, is lifted with help.
To identify 2E students, it requires a collaborative effort between classroom teachers, special educators, gifted educators, and parents. Until students are identified, and educators understand 2E needs, these students will continue to be hindered from achieving their full potential and lack the strategies to cope with the social/emotional complexities that derive from their mixed abilities. Once a 2E student is identified, their strength's and weaknesses are documented, understood, and more likely to be addressed. This is why early identification of 2E students is especially important. Low self-esteem is one of the most common characteristics of 2E children, and these individuals are often greatly relieved when identified because the burden of "fault" and lack of succes in school, is lifted with help.