LD + Gifted = Twice Exceptional: What Should We Do?

The term twice exceptional, sometimes abbreviated as 2e, was coined by Professor James J. Gallagher of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and refers to students who are both gifted and have disabilities (e.g., auditory processing weaknesses, sensorimotor integration issues, visual perceptual difficulties, spatial disorientation, dyslexia and/or attention deficits). Such students need remediation for their learning deficits and enhancement for their strengths to achieve optimal results.
(Source: Segen's Medical Dictionary)

Dr. James John Gallagher, esteemed author and Kenan Professor of Education (Emeritus) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Carrboro, North Carolina), has spent a lifetime (40 years) advocating and supporting 2e students. Dr. Gallagher states:

"...Failure to help the gifted child reach his potential is a societal tragedy, the extent of which is difficult to measure but what is surely great. How can we measure the sonata unwritten, the curative drug undiscovered, the absence of political insight? They are the difference between what we are and what we could be as a society."
(Source: Dr. James J. Gallagher, author of Teaching the Gifted Child)

Twice-exceptional children are intellectually gifted children challenged with special needs (such as ADHD, LD, autism, etc.) These children have a difficult time in our education system because their giftedness can actually mask their special needs. In other words, their special needs hide their giftedness. Because of this, they are very often labeled as lazy, unmotivated, not engaged and/or not trying. Many people, including even some educators, do not realize that a child can be both gifted and learning disabled at the same time. Linda Silverman, Ph.D., director of the Gifted Development Center (GDC) in Westminster, Colorado, has found that fully 1/6 of the gifted children tested at the GDC have a learning difference of some type.

The challenges that face gifted children in a society currently looking for ways to cut educational spending are significant. However, when one adds the element of LD to some in this gifted population, funding that does exist is rarely adequate. Resources may be available, but not in the quantity or quality required to properly meet the needs of the many twice-exceptional students in our school districts today.

The most daunting challenge for twice-exceptional students has been best described by Marty Haugen, Ph.D. of The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Haugen tells us:

"The greatest challenge in serving students who are twice exceptional are the perceptions of most educators that giftedness and special needs are distinct, separate conditions."
(Source: Marty Haugen, Ph.D., Twice Exceptional Learners, from the 2e: Twice-Exceptional Newsletter: http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/presentations/TwiceExceptionalLearners.pdf)

For these reasons and others, we have decided to provide in this article a number of twice-exceptional resources for parents, educators and other professionals who help, advocate and support this specific 2e student population. The resource links to follow here are intended to serve as a reference list for the future use of these individuals. Should our readers know of other such resources, please let us know, and we will add them to the list upon review.

Resources for Twice-Exceptional Children & Teens

Wright's Law for Twice Exceptional Children (2e)
Articles, resources and book titles to help parents and teachers advocate for twice-exceptional children and teens
http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/2e.index.htm

2e (Twice Exceptional) Books---by Hoagie's Gifted website
Book titles and direct links to resources for 2e students, their parents and teachers
http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/2e_books.htm

2e: Twice-Exceptional Newsletter
FREE newsletter to which parents, teachers and other professionals can subscribe for information about helping 2e children reach their full potential. It is the only publication on giftedness plus learning challenges aimed at parents, teachers and others who work with 2e children. Subscribers to the 2e Newsletter receive: E2e, a free email briefing that comes twice each month and is loaded with pointers to articles and resources for the 2e community. A subscription also allows for access to the 2e Newsletter's archives. The 2e Newsletter has been published since 2003 and has covered a wide range of topics during that time, all available FREE to subscribers. Discounts for other related materials are also available via this same subscription.
http://www.2enewsletter.com/index.html

2e Resources---by the 2e: Twice-Exceptional Newsletter
Direct links to books, schools, programs and other service providers for 2e children and teens.
http://www.2enewsletter.com/topic_resources.html

New! Fact Sheet on the Twice Exceptional Student from the International Dyslexia Assocation (IDA).
It can be a greater struggle to show that a student is eligible for services for treating dyslexia than for giftedness. A other times, proving eligibility for services for the giftedness is the challenge. (Feb 2013). A FREE downloadable PDF is available via this same link.
http://eida.org/gifted-and-dyslexic-identifying-and-instructing-the-twice-exceptional-student-fact-sheet/

Uniquely Gifted
This website provides excellent information and resources. The site was developed by Meredith Warshaw, special needs educational advisor. This site is named after the book Uniquely Gifted: Identifying and Meeting the Needs of the Twice-Exceptional Student, edited by Kiesa Kay.
http://uniquelygifted.org/

Gifted? Special Needs? Both? --- How to Help Your Child
This article provides practical resources and direct links to help parents, teachers and other professional who work with and support 2e students.
http://helpforstrugglingreaders.blogspot.com/2012/02/gifted-special-needs-both-how-to-help.html

BEST Dyslexia Tools, Resources & Support for Parents & Teachers-2016
It is estimated that 1 in 5 school-age children is challenged with some form of dyslexia. This learning disability appears to be more prevalent in the gifted population. Resources via this link will assist parents, teachers and others to help children and teens with dyslexia and other reading challenges.
http://helpforstrugglingreaders.blogspot.com/2016/01/best-dyslexia-tools-resources-support.html

One-Stop APP Lists for Dyslexia & Other Reading/Writing Challenges
This article will provide challenged readers with lists of helpful apps (for desktops, Androids, iPads, etc.). Return again and again to this blog page to more easily access these apps that could make a significant difference for many struggling readers in all age groups.
http://helpforstrugglingreaders.blogspot.com/2014/03/one-stop-app-lists-for-dyslexia-other.html

Twice Exceptional Learners from the 2e: Twice-Exceptional Newsletter
A 23-page paper (downloadable PDF) that explains who are they who are 2e, how are they identified, their challenges and more related information.
http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/presentations/TwiceExceptionalLearners.pdf)

Gifted Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
by Maureen Neihart, LD online
Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) is the most common behavioral disorder of childhood, and is marked by a constellation of symptoms including immature levels of impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity. The National Institutes of Health declared ADHD a "severe public health problem" in its consensus conference on ADHD in 1998. This article provides good information about the combination of giftedness AND attention challenges of ADHD.
http://www.ldonline.org/article/5631/

Advocating for Your Gifted Child with Autism---from Duke TIP
Information about how parents (and teachers) can advocate and support chidlren who are gifted and challenged with autism at the same time.
http://tip.duke.edu/node/1512

Gifted Resources---from Duke University
Though not specific to 2e students, this website provides information about states' gifted programs, associations, webinars and more for parents, teachers and other professionals.
http://tip.duke.edu/node/60

For information on customizable low-tech & digital reading tools for challenged readers & learners, please visit:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info and support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Images courtesy of:
Brennan Innovators, LLC at www.focusandread.com and FREE Clipart from HubSpot.

Back-to-School Reading Resources for ADHD

During the past week, we were very privileged to once again participate as educators in an excellent gifted education program called College for Kids. This program at the St. Louis Community College-Meramec was established 32 years ago with the inspiration and support of dedicated and committed parents of gifted children in the Greater St. Louis Area.

The courses in the College for Kids program are offered twice each year for gifted and talented elementary and middle school youth who have completed kindergarten through eighth grade. These courses, offered in the spring and summer, are designed to further challenge and advance gifted students' skills.

The students we worked with in the program this week were outstanding and most enjoyable to teach! We provided 2 classes each of ¡Hola, Mis Amigos!--Exploratory Spanish and Entrepreneurship. We certainly appreciated the enthusiasm and motivation demonstrated by these talented students. It was a GREAT week for ALL of us!

At the same time, we could not help but notice that even in this gifted population, there were more than a few students who also had additional needs. In our work, we have found that many parents and even teachers are not always aware that giftedness AND additional needs can sometimes co-exist for some students (called twice-exceptional). Very often, these needs involve attention and concentration issues for gifted children and teens. Many of their young minds require almost constant stimulation, which can in itself feed the ADHD they already may have.

For this reason and because of our experiences this past week, we thought it would be beneficial to our readers to provide a resource list for ADHD reading tips, especially during this back-to-school season. Last week's article was entitled Let's Deal with Distractions---ADHD Strategies for Home & School, which included a rather extensive list of general home and school resources for ADHD.

This week, we continue the preparation for school with our ADHD resource list for reading with more attention and concentration. It is important to note that these resources can be helpful not only to gifted children but to ALL children with focusing and attention issues. We hope the list and its "goodies" will provide you with the needed resources to help a child you know with the reading challenges of ADHD.

Helpful Reading Resources for ADHD

How to Improve Reading Skills in Children with ADHD or Learning Disabilities
by Matthew Cruger, Ph.D. and ADDitude Magazine
Guaranteed tips for improving reading comprehension in children with ADHD or learning disabilities like dyslexia.
http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/983.html

Many ADHD Kids Also Have Reading Problems
by Denise Mann, WebMD Health News
About half of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may experience problems with reading, according to a new study in Pediatrics. It was found that 51% of boys with ADHD had reading problems, as did 46.7% of girls with ADHD. More information about this study and many reading resources for ADHD are offered here.
http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/news/20100927/many-adhd-kids-also-have-reading-problems

Print & Use Tools: Study Skills from School Famiy
FREE worksheets, lists and activities to help children (especially those with ADHD) become better organized, more motivated and more on top of school work.
http://www.schoolfamily.com/print-and-use-tools/category/77-study-skills

Desktop APP: Reading Focus Cards (Patent 8,360,779) (Price: $5.99)
From Brennan Innovators, LLC
This desktop app is the digital version of the physical Reading Focus Cards (Patent 7,565,759), solutions for struggling readers. This app for Windows PCs and Macs provides practical READING SUPPORT for children and adults with dyslexia, ADHD, autism and other conditions that can affect reading success. It promotes more FOCUSED online reading of almost ALL digital media (webpages, PDF files, Word docs, Excel spreadsheets & more.) In addition, the Reading Focus Cards app is compatible with and supports touch-screen technology. The application can be moved on the screen over text by the fingers, mouse or arrow keys as needed.
1. For Macs (desktops & notebooks):
Visit the Mac App Store and search for Reading Focus Cards or go directly to
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/read-and-focus/id920617853?mt=12
2. For Windows PCs (desktops & laptops):
Visit Gumroad at https://gumroad.com/l/ReadingFocusCards OR visit the Microsoft Windows Store and search for the app called Reading Focus Cards. (No URLs are ever provided for apps in the Windows Store.)

5 Back To School Tips for Your ADD or ADHD Child
by Dr. Robert Myers, Child Psychologist
Here are some back-to-school tips to make things seem a lot easier and smoother for parents and kids.
http://www.empoweringparents.com/5-back-to-school-tips-for-your-adhd-child.php

How to Teach a Child to Read With ADHD
by Karen Hollowell, eHow Contributor
Practical and easy-to-follow instructions for helping a child with ADHD learn to read more effectively.
http://www.ehow.com/how_6461861_teach-child-read-adhd.html

ADD/ADHD Resources for Teachers from TeacherVision
Articles and many FREE resources to help educators manage the special nature of students with ADD/ADHD.
https://www.teachervision.com/add-and-adhd/resource/5348.html

For more information on customizable reading tools for better focus & attention, please visit:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Image courtesy of:
Brennan Innovators, LLC at www.focusandread.com

In Praise of Home Educators

It's the middle of summer, and for many parents right about now, the summer vacation days may be getting a “little long in the tooth.” The children have already spent many hours in the pool. Picnics in the park and play dates at friends’ homes have become the order of most days when parents can manage them. By mid-July, well, the kids often begin to take the lazy, hazy days of summer for granted.

If you are a homeschooling parent, however, your children may still be learning and doing their lessons even though it’s quite a few days after the 4th of July. That is because as a home educator, you can choose to homeschool or “unschool” your children the year round. As a result, your children are with you throughout the regular school year as well as over the summer.

There are many reasons why you may have chosen to homeschool. You may see it as a unique opportunity to address the special needs of a struggling learner or to provide a gifted child with “worthy” and challenging lessons and activities that will “stretch” him or her. You know (and love) your children best, and so you can be particularly suited---and motivated---to provide exactly what your child needs for learning to be most successful.

Patience is the virtue that you as a homeschooling parent have in abundance, and it is a good thing when you are BOTH parent AND teacher to your children---year round! It is almost a certainty that fortitude and determination play major parts in some of your days, especially when learning is not easily achieved with difficult math or science content. Creativity and resourcefulness cannot be far behind as you daily design lessons and create materials to reach and teach your child within the limits of a reasonable or low-cost budget. These are just a few of the many virtues and attributes you have to do what you do for your family.

So this article is written for the purpose of recognizing the special gifts and unique sacrifices you make daily as moms, dads, and even grandparents in the U.S. who have chosen to educate your children or grandchildren in your own homes. I tip my hat to each of you and in praise of your stamina, persistence, and enthusiasm given to homeschool your children---each day. Keep up the great work, homeschoolers!

To show our sincere appreciation of you, we have included the following educational resources that we hope will help make your good work just a little bit easier in the days ahead:

Special Needs Resources

An opportunity to level the playing field for diverse learners has arrived. With the use of mobile devices and a set of apps, barriers to learning can be removed and we can now set the stage for access to learning by all students. (by K. McClaskey)
http://pinterest.com/kmcclaskey/leveling-the-playing-field-with-apps/

A collection of resources for sensory learners
http://helpforstrugglingreaders.blogspot.com/2012/06/more-resources-for-sensory-readers.html

An exceptional library of resources for parents and caregivers of children on the autism spectrum (from AutismSpeaks.org)
http://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/resource-library

A variety of special needs resources all in one place (ideas, tools, publications, and more!)
http://pinterest.com/brennajn2000/special-needs-resources/

Gifted Resources

This all-things-gifted site is full of resources, articles, books and links to help and support parents, teachers, and gifted children alike. Explore them all!
http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/

Literature and other resources for parents and teachers of twice-exceptional children (gifted with special needs)
http://www.uniquelygifted.org/

Math Resources

Marvelous Math Morsels for Young Mathematicians---math resources for all age and grade levels
http://helpforstrugglingreaders.blogspot.com/2011/06/marvelous-math-morsels-for-young.html

Math Is Fun---Math resources for K-8 (includes Geometry, Algebra, worksheets, etc.)
http://www.mathsisfun.com/

MathBits.com---Offers fun yet challenging lessons & activities in secondary (& college level) mathematics & computer programming for students & teachers (Created by 2 math teachers)
http://mathbits.com/

Science Resources

TryEngineering.com offers a variety of lesson plans that align with education standards to allow students to apply the principles engineering, math, computer science, and physics through hands-on activities.
http://tryengineering.com/lesson.php

Links to almost 200 sites about general science, science education, and science topics for students of all ages
http://www.science-resources.org/resources/sci-links.shtml

Reading Resources

Customizable tools and strategies to help readers challenged with ADHD, dyslexia, autism, low vision, stroke recovery or TBI issues and other conditions that affect reading ability.
www.FocusandRead.com/products

From ed.gov: Includes a reading checklist, typical language accomplishments for different age groups, book suggestions, and resources for children with reading problems
http://www2.ed.gov/parents/read/resources/edpicks.jhtml

Reading resources, tools and related articles, etc. from Scholastic
http://teacher.scholastic.com/reading/

Information about dyslexia
http://www.readingresource.net/

Teacher’s Blog: Help for Struggling Readers--60 articles with hundreds of reading resources ALL in 1 place! (includes info & resources for readers with ADHD, dyslexia, autism, low vision, and other issues that can affect reading ability)
http://helpforstrugglingreaders.blogspot.com/

Other Resources for Home Educators

The Home School Legal Defense Association is a nonprofit advocacy organization established to defend and advance the constitutional right of parents to direct the education of their children and to protect family freedoms.
http://www.hslda.org

DonnaYoung.org---Printables & resources for home, homeschool, and classrooms
http://donnayoung.org/index.htm

FREE information and access to many homeschooling resources
http://www.homeschool.com/

This site offers articles on a variety of curriculum, homeschool ideas, statistics, and more. These include how-to articles, informative articles, and other homeschool issues. (Created by homeschooling parents to help fellow homeschoolers)
http://www.letshomeschool.com/

Current statistics on the number of homeschoolers in the U.S.---provided by Ann Zeise (2011 data--includes number of U.S. children who are homeschooled and individual state totals)
http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/weblinks/numbers.htm#how_many

For more information:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Clip art courtesy of: http://www.letshomeschool.com/