Dear Dr. Courtright, I’m in a tough spot with a gifted daughter who has also been diagnosed with ADD. She currently takes three honors courses, but the school is pushing back due to her need for special accommodations. My question is whether I’m correct in wanting her to remain in honors courses, with a plan for additional time. The homework this past quarter was relentless but other parents have pushed back on that issue, so the honors homework will probably be less demanding going forward. … [Read more...] about Ask the Experts: Twice Exceptional in Honors Classes
twice exceptional
A Story of a Twice Exceptional Child
My daughter, Allison, has been exceptionally perceptive since she was born. The sheets in her bassinet irritated her the day we brought her home from the hospital, and she protested until we found ones that she liked. Her heightened sensitivities made her cognitively quick as a toddler; however, they also made her feel oppressed by the touch of others, overwhelmed by smells and noises around her, and disheartened that the world did not live up to her expectations. I had never known that a … [Read more...] about A Story of a Twice Exceptional Child
Giftedness and ADHD
Most of us tend to associate the term “twice-exceptional ” with quirky geniuses, or exceptionally intelligent children who also happen to be on the autism spectrum. However, gifted students can also receive learning disability labels or a diagnosis of a health impairment such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), both of which impact school success and fall under the umbrella of twice-exceptionality. The term twice-exceptional indicates that a student has two forms of … [Read more...] about Giftedness and ADHD
Navigating the World of Special Education with your Gifted Student
By definition, a twice-exceptional (2e) student is one with two exceptionalities—giftedness along with a disability. Familiarizing yourself with the world of gifted education is a difficult task in itself, but when coupled with trying to understand special education options, it can be overwhelming. Unlike gifted education, in the world of special education, there are federal mandates governing the way in which students qualify for services and the ways in which school professionals deliver those … [Read more...] about Navigating the World of Special Education with your Gifted Student
Giftedness Coupled with a Specific Learning Disability?
You know your child is bright, but why is he or she still struggling with certain academic tasks? Maybe your child is a great reader but can’t seem to grasp the main idea of a passage or answer simple comprehension questions. Perhaps your child has incredible ideas but can’t seem to express them in writing. It’s possible your child is twice-exceptional (2e), or gifted with a disability. In this case, your gifted child might also have a specific learning disability (SLD). Gifted students with … [Read more...] about Giftedness Coupled with a Specific Learning Disability?
Advocating for Your Gifted Child with Autism
Parenting a gifted child is a challenge. Gifted children can be intensely focused on certain subjects, have poor cooperation skills in a group setting, and may have difficulties in social situations. Interestingly, these same traits are also common among students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Giftedness and ASD can sometimes mask one another so that a child is only recognized as having one, but the two can also coexist! … [Read more...] about Advocating for Your Gifted Child with Autism
Civil Rights for Gifted Students with Disabilities
Stephanie Monroe, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Education, has issued an open letter to public schools regarding students with disabilities who want to enroll in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or other accelerated programs in high school. … [Read more...] about Civil Rights for Gifted Students with Disabilities
Advocating and Partnering for Students with Special Needs
Anyone involved in the education of a child who needs special accommodations or services for a learning difficulty or disability should read the Special Needs Advocacy Resource Book, by Rich Weinfeld and Michelle Davis, Prufrock, 2008. The authors define students with special needs as “children with learning difficulties, children with disabilities, and gifted children.” However, in addressing the needs of gifted children, the authors point out that neither a free and appropriate public … [Read more...] about Advocating and Partnering for Students with Special Needs
A Primer on Pediatric Neuropsychology
We talked with Paul Beljan about pediatric neuropsychology, how it differs from school and educational psychology, and how and when families can benefit from a practitioner’s expertise. … [Read more...] about A Primer on Pediatric Neuropsychology
Dysgraphia
Parent Question: My 10-year-old son has been diagnosed with the writing disability dysgraphia. Because he has difficulty with writing tasks, he tends to avoid them. His teacher has expressed that my son seems to be unmotivated and oppositional regarding writing assignments. How can I make sure the school fully understands my son’s disability and what modifications should I suggest? … [Read more...] about Dysgraphia