Gifted Students with Learning Disabilities: Lost Treasures

"How is it possible for a child to be both gifted and learning disabled? When giftedness is thought of as learning-abled, it seems incomprehensible that a person could be simultaneously learning-abled and learning-disabled. However, when giftedness is seen as developmental advancement or as advanced abstract reasoning ability or as asynchrony (the discrepancy between mental and chronological age), it becomes conceivable that a bright student may have difficulty reading, writing, spelling, calculating, or organizing." 

Linda Kreger Silverman, Ph.D.

"Twice exceptional children are often hidden from our view. Their giftedness masks their learning disabilities and their learning disabilities depress their IQ scores so that they appear less gifted than they really are. These children often fall through the cracks of the system, failing to qualify for gifted programs or for special education services. It is necessary that gifted programs become “handicap accessible” so that gifted children with hidden disabilities can gain access to these services. The secrets to reaching twice exceptional children are teaching to their strengths, assistive technology, and accommodations in the classroom, such as untimed tests and shorter written assignments. They blossom and fulfill their potential with supportive teachers."

Linda Kreger Silverman, Ph.D.

For a twice-exceptional (2e) student, there is a definite discrepancy between a student’s actual potential and his/her classroom performance or behavior at home. 

Gifted students who demonstrate clear evidence of having learning differences, sometimes clinically referred to as disabilities, are those students with dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, Asperger’s/Autistic, dysgraphia and other learning styles.  

Cathy Risberg