Twice-Exceptional (2e): Supporting Gifted Students with Learning Differences

Gifted kids aren’t supposed to struggle, right? That’s one of the biggest myths about twice-exceptional, or 2e, students. These learners may have exceptional talents and also face learning, emotional, or attentional challenges that make school especially hard. In this episode of Learning Differently, hosts Lynna Martinez-Khalilian and Mike Wang sit down with Dr. Dan Peters to explore the misunderstood world of 2e students. They unpack what it means to be both gifted and challenged, why these students often go unnoticed, and what schools can do to help them thrive. 0:00 What is Twice Exceptional (2e)? 3:35 The Bell Curve: Advanced Abilities and Challenges 5:17 The 2e Conundrum: Strengths Masking Struggles 6:49 Gifted vs. High Achievers 7:25 Why Challenges Appear Later (High School) 8:55 How 2e is Masked in the Classroom 11:00 The Shame of Late Diagnosis in 2e Adults 12:50 Shifting Focus: Human Beings, Not Human Doings 13:25 Advice for Parents: Embracing the Wholeness of Your Child 14:38 Perfectionism and Anxiety: Focusing on the Low Score 19:38 The Process for 2e Identification and Diagnosis 23:55 Advocating for a 2e Student: Holistic Support 28:35 Understanding Stealth Dyslexia 30:05 Social-Emotional Development and Peer Challenges 33:55 The Liberation of a 2e Identity