How Schools Can Better Support Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Students
At Ignition Therapy, we recognize that gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) students have unique educational needs that often go unmet in traditional school settings. While schools are designed to support a broad range of learners, they frequently lack the resources, training, and policies necessary to fully engage and challenge gifted students while also addressing their learning differences.
Without proper support, gifted and 2e students may become disengaged, struggle emotionally, or underperform academically, even though they possess extraordinary abilities. Schools must take a proactive approach to identifying, accommodating, and nurturing these students to ensure they thrive both academically and socially.
The Challenges of Supporting Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Students
Many schools unintentionally overlook or misunderstand gifted and 2e students due to:
1. Misidentification and Lack of Screening
Some gifted students mask their struggles, leading educators to see only their high intelligence and not their learning challenges.
Twice-exceptional students may be misdiagnosed as lazy, defiant, or disruptive rather than being identified as needing both enrichment and support.
Many schools lack universal screening for giftedness, meaning only students with parent or teacher referrals get tested.
2. Inadequate Curriculum and Instruction
Standardized curricula often focus on grade-level proficiency, leaving gifted students bored and unchallenged.
Many schools emphasize remediation over acceleration, prioritizing struggling students over advanced learners.
Twice-exceptional students are often forced to choose between special education services and gifted programs, rather than receiving support in both areas.
3. Limited Teacher Training on Gifted Education
Many teachers lack training in how to differentiate instruction for gifted and 2e students.
Some educators mistakenly believe gifted students do not need additional support or assume they will “do fine on their own.”
Without proper training, teachers may fail to recognize the emotional and social challenges gifted students face, including perfectionism, anxiety, and difficulty relating to peers.
4. Social and Emotional Challenges
Gifted students often experience isolation, frustration, and anxiety due to feeling different from their classmates.
Twice-exceptional students may struggle with self-esteem issues, as they excel in some areas while struggling in others.
Without social-emotional support, many gifted and 2e students lose confidence in their abilities and disengage from school.
How Schools Can Improve Support for Gifted and 2e Students
1. Implement Early and Ongoing Identification Processes
Use universal screening assessments to identify gifted students, rather than relying on parent or teacher referrals.
Screen for twice-exceptionality by looking for students who have inconsistent academic performance, strong verbal skills but weak written expression, or high creativity with executive functioning challenges.
Ensure diverse identification criteria so that students from all backgrounds have equal access to gifted services.
2. Offer Flexible and Differentiated Learning Opportunities
Gifted and twice-exceptional students need personalized instruction that aligns with their strengths and challenges. Schools can:
Provide curriculum compacting, allowing students to skip mastered material and move to more advanced content.
Use tiered assignments that challenge students at their own level.
Offer independent study opportunities where students can explore topics of interest in greater depth.
Incorporate real-world problem-solving and hands-on learning experiences to engage creative and critical thinking skills.
3. Implement Acceleration and Enrichment Programs
Acceleration helps gifted students remain engaged by ensuring they are consistently challenged. Schools should:
Allow for subject acceleration, where students advance in specific subjects based on their ability rather than grade level.
Consider grade skipping for highly advanced students who need a full-year academic leap.
Provide Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or dual enrollment courses in high school to give students access to college-level material.
Encourage participation in gifted programs, academic competitions, and mentorship opportunities.
4. Provide Support for Executive Functioning and Emotional Development
Many twice-exceptional students struggle with organization, time management, and emotional regulation. Schools can:
Teach executive functioning skills through direct instruction in time management, organization, and task prioritization.
Provide counseling services to help students develop resilience and self-advocacy skills.
Create peer support groups where gifted and 2e students can connect with like-minded peers.
Train teachers in social-emotional learning (SEL) strategies to help gifted students navigate anxiety, perfectionism, and social challenges.
5. Train Teachers in Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Education
Require professional development for teachers on how to differentiate instruction for gifted and 2e students.
Provide specialized training for educators on identifying twice-exceptional learners and implementing accommodations.
Encourage collaboration between gifted specialists, special education teachers, and general educators to create effective support plans.
6. Develop Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs) or 504 Plans for Gifted and 2e Students
Gifted students, especially twice-exceptional learners, often benefit from customized learning plans that outline their strengths, challenges, and accommodations. Schools can:
Develop Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs) to provide gifted students with acceleration, enrichment, and advanced coursework options.
Use 504 Plans for twice-exceptional students to ensure they receive necessary accommodations such as extended test time, assistive technology, or sensory breaks.
Review and update these plans annually to ensure they continue to meet the student’s needs.
7. Foster a Positive and Inclusive School Culture
Encourage a growth mindset by promoting the idea that intelligence and abilities can develop through effort and perseverance.
Provide gifted student clubs, mentorship programs, and interest-based extracurriculars to help students feel connected.
Recognize and celebrate different types of giftedness, including creativity, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
Final Thoughts: Schools Must Adapt to Support Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Students
Gifted and twice-exceptional students deserve learning environments that challenge and support them. Too often, schools fail to provide appropriate accommodations, leaving these students feeling bored, misunderstood, or unsupported.
By implementing better identification processes, providing flexible learning options, supporting executive functioning, and ensuring teacher training, schools can create an inclusive and engaging environment where gifted and 2e students thrive.
At Ignition Therapy, we specialize in helping parents and schools advocate for the needs of gifted and twice-exceptional students. If your child is struggling in a traditional school environment, we can help. Contact us today at Ignition Therapy to learn more about how we support gifted learners.
