How School Psychologists Support Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Students
At Ignition Therapy, we recognize that gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) students face unique challenges that require specialized support. While gifted students possess advanced intellectual abilities, they often experience emotional intensity, perfectionism, social difficulties, and executive functioning struggles. Twice-exceptional students—those who are gifted but also have a learning disability such as ADHD, dyslexia, or autism—require individualized support that addresses both their strengths and their challenges.
School psychologists play a crucial role in identifying, supporting, and advocating for these students, ensuring they receive the academic, emotional, and social resources they need to thrive. Below, we explore the ways school psychologists support gifted and twice-exceptional students and how parents can collaborate with them to create the best educational environment for their child.
The Role of School Psychologists in Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Education
1. Identifying Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Students
Many gifted and twice-exceptional students go unidentified or misdiagnosed due to:
Gifted masking, where strong intellectual abilities hide learning challenges.
Asynchronous development, where a student’s advanced intellect contrasts with their emotional or executive functioning struggles.
Misinterpretation of behaviors, such as a student appearing defiant when they are simply bored or overwhelmed.
School psychologists help by:
Conducting comprehensive cognitive and academic assessments.
Identifying students who may require gifted services or special education accommodations.
Differentiating between giftedness, learning disabilities, and behavioral challenges to ensure proper support.
Accurate identification ensures that students receive appropriate services and accommodations rather than being overlooked or misdiagnosed.
2. Supporting Twice-Exceptional Students with IEPs and 504 Plans
Twice-exceptional students often struggle because their giftedness and learning disabilities require different types of support.
Gifted programs often assume students do not need academic accommodations.
Special education programs may focus on weaknesses without nurturing intellectual strengths.
School psychologists help by:
Assisting in the development of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans.
Ensuring accommodations support both academic strengths and learning challenges.
Providing teachers with strategies to differentiate instruction for twice-exceptional learners.
With an effective plan in place, twice-exceptional students receive the balance of challenge and support they need to thrive.
3. Helping Gifted Students with Social and Emotional Development
Many gifted students struggle with social challenges, such as:
Difficulty relating to same-age peers due to advanced thinking.
Sensitivity to criticism, leading to frustration or withdrawal.
Perfectionism and fear of failure, resulting in anxiety or procrastination.
School psychologists provide:
Emotional regulation strategies to help students manage stress and frustration.
Counseling sessions focused on self-esteem and resilience.
Social skills support, helping gifted students navigate peer relationships.
By addressing emotional and social development, school psychologists help gifted students feel more confident and connected in school.
4. Addressing Perfectionism and Anxiety
Many gifted students place immense pressure on themselves to succeed. Signs of perfectionism include:
Avoiding challenges for fear of making mistakes.
Becoming overwhelmed by assignments, even when capable.
Constant self-criticism and frustration with imperfection.
School psychologists help by:
Teaching students growth mindset techniques to reframe mistakes as learning opportunities.
Providing stress management tools such as mindfulness and relaxation strategies.
Encouraging students to set realistic goals and celebrate progress rather than perfection.
These interventions allow gifted students to pursue excellence without emotional distress.
5. Supporting Executive Functioning Challenges
Many twice-exceptional students struggle with organization, time management, and focus due to executive functioning deficits. These challenges may lead to:
Forgetting assignments or misplacing materials.
Procrastination and difficulty initiating tasks.
Struggles with long-term project planning.
School psychologists assist by:
Teaching organizational strategies, such as planners and checklists.
Providing visual schedules to help students manage tasks.
Encouraging self-monitoring techniques to improve time management.
With the right support, students can develop effective study habits and independence.
6. Advocating for Differentiated Instruction
Many gifted students do not receive appropriate academic challenges in traditional classrooms, leading to boredom and disengagement. School psychologists work with teachers to:
Implement curriculum compacting, allowing students to skip material they have already mastered.
Introduce tiered assignments, offering varying levels of difficulty.
Support self-paced learning, where students progress at their own speed.
By ensuring academic differentiation, school psychologists help gifted students remain engaged and motivated.
7. Promoting Positive Peer Relationships
Gifted and twice-exceptional students often feel isolated because they think, learn, or behave differently from their classmates. School psychologists:
Encourage peer mentoring programs where gifted students can interact with like-minded peers.
Teach social problem-solving skills to help students navigate friendships.
Support multi-age learning opportunities that allow gifted students to work with older or younger students at their intellectual level.
Fostering strong peer relationships helps gifted students feel accepted and socially confident.
8. Preventing Underachievement and School Disengagement
When gifted students are not challenged or supported properly, they may disengage from school, leading to underachievement. Signs of disengagement include:
Refusing to complete assignments they see as "too easy" or "pointless."
Becoming disruptive in class due to boredom.
Withdrawing from learning activities they once enjoyed.
School psychologists work with teachers and parents to:
Identify the root cause of underachievement.
Implement interest-based learning strategies to keep students motivated.
Create individualized learning paths to ensure students remain engaged.
By addressing these issues early, school psychologists help gifted students reach their full potential.
How Parents Can Collaborate with School Psychologists
1. Request Assessments and Gifted Evaluations
Parents can ask the school psychologist to conduct cognitive and academic testing to determine if their child qualifies for gifted programs or support services.
2. Advocate for an IEP or 504 Plan
If a twice-exceptional student is struggling, parents should work with the school psychologist to develop an individualized education plan that provides necessary accommodations.
3. Discuss Social and Emotional Needs
Parents can request counseling support if their child is experiencing anxiety, perfectionism, or social difficulties.
4. Stay Involved in the Educational Process
Regular communication with the school psychologist ensures that accommodations and interventions are working effectively for the student.
Final Thoughts: The Essential Role of School Psychologists
School psychologists play a vital role in supporting gifted and twice-exceptional students by ensuring they receive appropriate academic challenges, emotional support, and social guidance. Without proper intervention, many gifted and 2e students may struggle with anxiety, underachievement, or social isolation.
At Ignition Therapy, we help parents and educators understand the unique needs of gifted and twice-exceptional students. If your child needs additional support, we can guide you through advocating for school accommodations, emotional support strategies, and personalized learning plans. Contact us today at Ignition Therapy to learn more.
