TWICE EXCEPTIONAL (2E)

2e is defined as students who demonstrate gifts and talents but also have a disability. While this definition is broad, Twice Exceptional is commonly separated into three different categories. Each situation is unique and offers a list of issues both shared with and unrelated to the other types.

 

Giftedness masks disability 

When the giftedness masks the disability, a child is usually recognized early as gifted. However, the student may hit a wall in middle or high school because they can no longer compensate for their issues by memorizing material or verbalizing responses. The student is often viewed as lazy and not studying enough according to teachers due to the apparent mismatch between skills and performance.

 

Disability masks giftedness 

When the disability masks the giftedness, which often occurs when a student has a reading disability such as dyslexia, the student is often placed too low in school, becoming lonely and losing motivation because he or she can comprehend the information, but simply can’t spell.

 

Both giftedness and disability mask each other

When both the giftedness and disability equally mask each other, the student appears average and his or her exceptional ability goes unrecognized. This student tends to 

struggle in school, becoming confused because he or she has the ability to conceptualize faster than peers, yet is “unable to keep up with courses.