Twice Exceptional: Gifted Students with Learning Difficulties By: Jennifer Williams and Katy Eason

The World of Twice Exceptional

Who are Twice Exceptional Students? Gifted learning disabled (LD) with extraordinary strengths or talents in one area, but a weakness in another Being gifted AND having a learning difficulty classifies these students as twice exceptional

Life in the Classroom Rarely identified Usually recognized for their disability solely LD labels often leads to teachers lowering the standard

Identification Usually perform at or near grade level Often overlooked in the classroom Disability may hide giftedness; giftedness may hide disability Able to identify using a combination of assessments: achievement tests, interviews, creativity tests and reports from parents, teachers and peers.

Identification, Con’t. Multiple criteria is the most effective way to identify Sample identification process: Nominations by teachers, parents or peers Evaluation (academic) Intelligence Testing

Characteristics Cognitive Strengths Superior Vocabulary Uninhibited Expression of Opinions Extreme Creativity Extreme Sensitivity and Insensitivity High Levels of Problem Solving and Reasoning Wide Range of Interest That Are Not Related to School Learning

Characteristics, Con’t. Cognitive Challenges Discrepant Verbal and Nonverbal abilities Deficient or Extremely Uneven Academic Skills Lack of Organizational or Study Skills Over-sensitivity to Criticism Difficulty Controlling Impulses Poor Social Skills Blaming Others for Their Problems

Resources for Teachers Build community within your classroom (to appreciate differences) Be aware that LD students prefer visuals and tactile formats Immerse all senses in learning Allow students to set short term goals for learning http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/eric/fact/teach-strat.pdf

Useful Sites and Blogs Strategies for Teaching Twice Exceptional http://the504school.blogspot.com/2012/02/strategies-for-teaching-twice.html All Things Gifted http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/twice_exceptional.htm

Discussion How do gifted students look during the RTI process? Do the IEP components, including goals and accommodations, apply to the gifted education service options? What is the parents’ role in the gifted and special education identification process?