Twice Exceptional Students

Learn more about students with disabilities who also achieve at or above grade-level in some or all subject areas
Special Education Collection Gifted Education: Opening the Gates
How do schools screen students for gifted-education lessons? What groups of students are getting missed? And what are some ways schools can broaden their nets to capture nontraditional students for gifted services? Find some answers in this survey and story collection.
December 18, 2019
Fifth grader Zachary is among the growing number of students identified as “twice exceptional” in Sacramento, Calif.
Fifth grader Zachary is among the growing number of students identified as “twice exceptional” in Sacramento, Calif.
Sarahbeth Maney for Education Week
Special Education 'Twice Exceptional' Students Miss Out on Gifted Classes
Students who both have disabilities and are gifted are often overlooked when it comes to screening for gifted education. A California district found that it could buck the trend by casting a wider net for gifted students.
Alex Harwin, November 25, 2019
7 min read
Special Education Opinion How Teachers Can Support and Challenge Twice-Exceptional Students
Too often, students who are both gifted and have disabilities are underserved, writes Caroline Galeota. Here are some ways teachers can better accommodate these learners.
Caroline Galeota, January 8, 2019
4 min read
Jack Bradley is an 18-year-old high school student who is gifted in math and taking college-level courses. He also has autism and other disabilities.
Jack Bradley is an 18-year-old high school student who is gifted in math and taking college-level courses. He also has autism and other disabilities.
Pat McDonogh for Education Week
Special Education Opinion A Special Education Student Speaks: I Navigate 'Parallel Universes'
Jack Bradley says the system often fumbles in dealing with "twice exceptional" students like him.
Jack Bradley, December 4, 2018
3 min read
Education At ReelAbilities Film Festival, an Overdue Look at 'Twice Exceptional' Students
The documentary focuses on children who are gifted in one respect or another but also struggle with one or more cognitive disabilities.
Mark Walsh, March 10, 2016
3 min read
Special Education How Can Teachers Build on Gifted, Hyperactive Students' Strengths?
New studies provide insight into ways to help students with attention deficits succeed academically.
Sarah D. Sparks, August 7, 2014
4 min read
Special Education Studies Shed Light on 'Twice Exceptional' Students
Early identification is key for students who are both gifted and learning-disabled, according to experts.
Sarah D. Sparks, May 8, 2012
4 min read
Special Education Opinion I Am a Twice-Exceptional Student
Both gifted and learning disabled, high school senior Andrew Edward Collins writes that his public school experience has been a struggle.
Andrew Edward Collins, March 27, 2012
5 min read
Education Opinion Twice Exceptionality Survey
Tamara Fisher asks, "What do you know about the twice-exceptional?" The National Institute for Twice-Exceptionality is conducting a survey to gather data from educators about their level of understanding regarding this unique population of doubly exceptional students.
Tamara Fisher, April 6, 2011
1 min read
Special Education Free Resource Friday: Twice-Exceptional Resource Handbook
The Colorado Department of Education-produced document offers a thorough introduction to the topic.
Christina A. Samuels, October 1, 2010
1 min read
Education Funding University of Iowa to Create National Institute for Twice-Exceptional Students
The focus will be on students who are gifted and have disabilities.
February 19, 2010
1 min read
Education Opinion Twice Exceptional - An Interview
In Gifted Education, twice exceptional (also “2e”) is the term used for those individuals who have dual (or even multiple) exceptionalities. They are both gifted “and” – such as gifted and learning disabled, gifted and bipolar, gifted and physically disabled, gifted and ADHD, etc. This dichotomy of polar exceptionalities can be incredibly frustrating for the individual (and their families and teachers), somewhat akin to being the rope in a tug-of-war – being pulled in one direction by their gifts and talents and the intense desire to pursue them, while also being pulled in another direction by some sort of physical, intellectual, psychological, or emotional challenge that can complicate (or even get in the way of) their ability to develop and fulfill their giftedness.
Tamara Fisher, July 8, 2009
13 min read
Special Education "Twice-Exceptional" Gifted Study
The University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. and four St.Paul-area school districts are embarking on a study that will help educators learn the best ways to teach gifted children who also have learning disabilities.
Christina A. Samuels, November 25, 2008
1 min read
Special Education Mining Maryland Diamonds: One District's Solution
"Freeze!"

Elementary school teacher Kathleen Famulare halts her 5th grade advanced-math students as they scramble to grab flashcards to answer the questions about long multiplication and division on the chalkboard.

Lisa Fine, October 24, 2001
4 min read