Are you supporting your Twice-Exceptional kid?

Do you have a twice-exceptional kid? Here’s how to support them.

You may have heard the term “Twice Exceptional”, also known as “2e”, which refers to intellectually gifted children who have one or more learning or behavioral disabilities such as ADHD, Autism, or Dyslexia. The expression was invented to describe people who are exceptionally strong in some areas and struggle in others. Many people describe what happens in 2E kids as “asynchronous development”, as some brain functions develop much faster than others. It’s hard to find a program that serves the needs of twice exceptional kids, but at HabitCoach, our expertise extends to both gifted kids and kids with LDs.

How many twice exceptional children are there?

Studies suggest that 2-5% of school-age children are 2E, with some reports being higher. With over 700 million primary school children worldwide, that means that there may be as many as 35 million 2E primary-aged kids around the globe. In the US, there may be as many as 1 million 2E kids. And yet, there are so few programs to help them.

Why is it hard to identify twice-exceptional kids?

Assessments must be comprehensive so that both the gifted and challenged characteristics are identified. Children are also often able to mask their deficits with their strengths and so their unique brains are not well understood.  The NAGC identifies 2e kids in three categories:

• Students who are identified as gifted but their disabilities are missed
• Students whose disabilities are identified but giftedness is missed
• Students who are not identified as either gifted or that they have disabilities

At HabitCoach, we understand the dual needs of twice exceptional kids and we will make sure they are seen for who they are.

What are the characteristics of Twice Exceptional kids?

The Davidson Institute’s study of twice exceptional students, identifies the following characteristics of this group:

• Strengths
  • Outstanding critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Strong sense of curiosity
  • Strong ability to concentrate deeply in areas of interest
• Challenges
  • Above average sensitivity, causing them to react more intensely to sounds, tastes, smells, etc.
  • Low self-esteem due to perfectionism
  • Poor social skills
  • Behavioral problems due to underlying stress, boredom and lack of motivation.

At HabitCoach, we help kids learn to play to their strengths and improve and find workarounds for their weaknesses.

What happens when Twice Exceptional kids are not identified and supported?

When Twice Exceptional (2e) kids are not properly identified and supported, the consequences can be profound and far-reaching, both academically and emotionally.

• Misunderstood Abilities and Underachievement

Without proper identification, 2e children often go unrecognized for either their giftedness or their challenges. Their strengths may mask their disabilities, leading adults to assume they’re lazy, inattentive, or underachieving. At the same time, their disabilities may obscure their gifts, causing them to be overlooked for enrichment opportunities. As a result, these children can become chronically under-challenged and disengaged in school, leading to frustration, poor grades, and missed potential. According to research, many 2e students drop out or underperform academically despite having high intellectual ability.

• Emotional Distress and Mental Health Struggles

When 2e kids are constantly told—explicitly or implicitly—that they’re not meeting expectations, they may internalize a sense of failure. This can result in anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and even oppositional behavior. The emotional toll is often compounded by repeated experiences of not fitting in socially or feeling different from peers. A bright child who can solve complex math problems might still struggle to complete homework or follow classroom rules, leading to confusion and shame. Over time, the mismatch between their potential and performance can erode their self-worth.

• Behavior That Gets Misdiagnosed

Many 2e students are misdiagnosed with behavioral issues or mental health disorders when the root issue is a lack of understanding of their neurodiverse profiles. For example, a gifted student with ADHD may interrupt frequently in class—not out of disrespect, but because their mind is racing with ideas. A child with autism and high verbal ability might struggle with social cues but excel academically. Without a holistic view of their strengths and challenges, educators and clinicians may pursue the wrong interventions, often focusing solely on what’s “wrong” instead of leveraging what’s strong.

• Missed Opportunities for Growth

When 2e kids aren’t given the right support, they miss the chance to develop their strengths or learn strategies to manage their challenges. This not only limits their academic growth but also their personal development. They may never learn how to advocate for themselves, manage executive function difficulties, or feel proud of their unique minds. Schools that fail to provide differentiated instruction, enrichment programs, and social-emotional support risk leaving these students disengaged, isolated, or disillusioned about learning altogether.

• The Power of Identification and Support

The good news is that when 2e students are properly identified and supported, their outcomes improve dramatically. They can thrive in environments that recognize both their intellectual potential and their need for accommodations or alternative learning strategies. With a strengths-based approach, 2e children can become confident learners, creative thinkers, and resilient individuals. Early recognition is key—not just to academic success, but to emotional well-being and long-term life satisfaction.

In short, failing to identify and support Twice Exceptional children doesn’t just limit their performance—it risks dimming the spark that makes them extraordinary. 

Why is it so hard to find programs for twice exceptional students?

Students who are gifted and students who have learning disabilities live in different worlds.  Gifted students are often put in special classes or schools.  Kids with learning issues get put in special education.  It is not intuitive for most people to realize that kids can have both issues.  In fact, 16% of gifted kids have ADHD, twice the percentage as the rest of the population.  It is also difficult to find program leaders and teachers or coaches who have expertise in both areas.

Why is HabitCoach uniquely positioned to serve this population

TestingMom has been one of the leading programs serving gifted children for over a decade. Increasingly, we have heard from the parents of our young clients that they are struggling with executive function or have ADHD. So, in 2024, we created HabitCoach, an executive function coaching service that was designed for the needs of twice exceptional children.  Our coaches have expertise in working with issues of giftedness and learning disabilities, a rare combination to find.  Our curriculum focuses on the most common skills and executive functions needed by kids:  organization, time management, planning, and procrastination.  

Book a free consultation today to see if HabitCoach can help your twice exceptional child.

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