Gifted Students with Learning Disabilities—Twice Exceptional

Yes, it is possible to be gifted and have learning disabilities. They are known as twice-exceptional, and can take on different forms.

• A student may be identified as gifted yet exhibit difficulties in school and may be considered an underachiever. Because he may be working at grade level, he may be overlooked by the screening procedures that are necessary to identify subtle learning disabilities. Underachievement is often attributed to poor self-concept, lack of motivation, or laziness. It is often not until school becomes more rigorous that academic difficulties increase to the point where the student falls considerably behind peers. Only then does someone consider the possibility of a disability.
• A young person, who has been identified as having learning disabilities, may not be recognized for her strengths. Inadequate assessment and/or a depressed IQ score often lead to an underestimation of intellectual abilities. This student is noticed for what she cannot do instead of the strengths that she has.
• A child may not be considered for services provided for students who are gifted or who have learning disabilities. This student may appear to be average because his abilities and disabilities mask one other. While the student typically performs at grade level, in reality he is performing well below his potential.

Being twice-exceptional can be very frustrating for parents, teachers, and students—especially if there is a lack of understanding of the subject. Arming oneself with knowledge about the topic will enlighten and, hopefully, lead to coping strategies or modifications in learning techniques.

For information on twice-exceptional students, go to the following links:

• The Davidson Institute 
• Hoagies’ page on twice-exceptional 
• Uniquely Gifted: Resources for Gifted Children with Special Needs 

Some books to consider are

• Smart Kids with Learning Difficulties: Overcoming Obstacles and Realizing Potential 
• Successful Strategies for Twice-Exceptional Students  
• Twice-Exceptional Gifted Children