Twice Exceptional

Twice exceptional individuals are considered to have “spiky” cognitive profiles because they have a combination of areas where they are very gifted as well as areas where they need additional support. These high highs and low lows can foster unique needs and unique difficulties when they are not properly recognized and accommodated.

A common presentation I commonly see with twice exceptional individuals is having anxiety and perfectionistic tendencies. This commonly occurs because there are high expectations put on 2e individuals because those around them see that they are gifted and know they have the potential to be very successful. However, if the struggles of neurodivergence are not recognized and accommodated, this can lead to 2e individuals feeling very stressed, blaming themselves for “not doing good enough”, and working twice as hard as their peers in attempts to meet the expectations of those around them.

Another common presentation for 2e individuals is getting great grades on tests despite not seeming to pay attention in class. They may not do their homework or classwork, they may be doing other things like drawing, reading, talking to other students, or wandering around the classroom. This happens when a 2e student is not being engaged or challenged enough with the coursework at school.

Both of these presentations are commonly overlooked when the 2e individual is able to maintain their grades. However, with both presentations I have described there is often a tipping point where maintaining grades is no longer possible without change.

The anxious overperformer may run out of time in the day to actually do the work because of how hard and time consuming it is to compensate with untreated neurodivergence. They also may start having panic attacks or crying spells over the pressure they feel to perform for others.

The distracted student who is a good test taker will often reach a point where either the material is too hard for them to know without actually doing the school work and they will realize they never built up any study skills or they will start to encounter classes that are more project and school work based and they will no longer be able to succeed on their knowledge and test taking abilities alone.

If this sounds like you, or your child, then you are not alone. Twice exceptional individuals are a unique combination of being very intelligent and also having some areas in which additional support in needed. With proper accommodations and skill building success and balance is possible.