Characteristics of the Twice Exceptional Child

Regardless of a student’s disability; physical, or neurobiological (ie: ADHD, Bi-Polar Disorder, Aspergers Syndrome), the Twice Exceptional student exhibits unique characteristics and behaviors that are often misinterpreted or misunderstood. It is important to note that if the child’s giftedness is not identified and addressed along with his/her disability, many negative characteristics may be exacerbated.

The gifted, or twice-exceptional child sometimes sees the world from a different perspective.
Twice Exceptional students will exhibit many of the following characteristics:

- High abstract reasoning ability

- Good mathematical reasoning ability

- Keen visual memory, spatial skills

- Advanced vocabulary

- Sophisticated sense of humor

- Imaginative and creative

- Insightful

- Exceptional ability in geometry, science, art, music

- Good problem -finding and -solving
- Difficulty with memorization, computation, phonics, and/or spelling

- Distractibility and/or disorganization

- Supersensitivity

- Perfectionism

- Grasp of metaphors, analogies, satire

- Comprehension of complex systems

- Unreasonable self-expectations

- Often failure to complete assignments

- Difficulty with sequential tasks skills

- Wide variety of interests
(Baum, Owen & Dixon, 1991; Silverman, 1989)

Typical Behavior Characteristics of the “TE” child/“Jaundiced Eye” Interpretations:

- Perfectionist, Fear and feelings of failure, idealist / Lazy

- Highly sensitive / Self-indulgent

- Problems with social skills / Immature

- Socially Isolated / Snob, depressed

- Low self-esteem / Helpless

- Energetic / Hyperactive

- Inattentive, fails to complete assignments / Doesn’t care

- Psychomotor inefficiency / Sloppy, doesn’t care

 - Sensitive / Irritable

- Frustrated, need for control / Overemotional

- Excessively critical of self & others / Unpleasant

- Disparaging of work required / Arrogant, stubborn

- Becomes an expert in one area and dominates discussions in this area / Show-off

- Deny learning disability / Defensive

- Teacher dependent, Bored / Hard to get along with, Daydreamer

- Ethical / Self-righteous, intolerant

- Spontaneous / Impulsive
Uniquely Gifted: Identifying and Meeting the Needs of the Twice-Exceptional Student

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