Written by The Midtown Psychology Team
Providing evidence-based, neurodiversity-affirming mental health care for children, teens, adults, and families in New York City.
Being twice exceptional, or 2e, means a person is both intellectually gifted and neurodivergent, such as having ADHD, autism, dyslexia, or another learning difference. These individuals often have advanced abilities in certain areas while also experiencing challenges that affect learning, attention, communication, or daily functioning. Because giftedness and difficulties can sometimes hide each other, many 2e children and adults are misunderstood before receiving the right support.
A twice exceptional person may appear highly capable while struggling with organization, emotional regulation, social situations, or academic tasks. Recognizing both strengths and challenges is essential because support should address the whole person—not just their struggles or their talents.
Key Takeaways
- Twice exceptional (2e) means being intellectually gifted while also having a learning difference, ADHD, autism, or another neurodivergent trait.
- Giftedness can sometimes hide challenges, and challenges can sometimes hide giftedness.
- 2e children and adults may need support that recognizes both their strengths and their areas of difficulty.
- A strengths-based approach can help twice exceptional individuals thrive at school, work, and home.
- Therapy can help 2e individuals and families better understand their needs and build effective strategies.
Table of Contents
- How do I know if my child (or I) might be twice exceptional?
- Why do 2e kids often get overlooked in school or misdiagnosed?
- What does 2e look like in adults, not just kids?
- How does giftedness combine with conditions like ADHD or autism?
- What kind of support or accommodations help 2e individuals thrive?
- Can being 2e explain feelings of being “different” or misunderstood growing up?
- How does therapy help someone who is twice exceptional?
- Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my child (or I) might be twice exceptional?
A person may be twice exceptional when they show signs of high ability along with challenges related to learning, attention, communication, or emotional regulation. The combination can look different for every individual.
Some 2e children may demonstrate advanced vocabulary, intense curiosity, creativity, problem-solving skills, or deep knowledge in specific areas. At the same time, they may struggle with tasks that require organization, sustained attention, handwriting, reading, social skills, and emotional frustration.
Common signs that someone may be twice exceptional include:
- Learning quickly in areas of interest but struggling in others
- Having advanced reasoning skills but difficulty completing assignments
- Showing strong creativity while becoming frustrated with routine tasks
- Experiencing intense emotions or perfectionism
- Feeling bored in traditional learning environments
- Having difficulty explaining why certain tasks feel challenging
A twice exceptional child may not fit traditional expectations of either a gifted student or a student with learning challenges. Understanding both sides of their experience can help families find more effective support.
Why do 2e kids often get overlooked in school or misdiagnosed?
Twice exceptional children are often overlooked because their giftedness and challenges can hide one another. A child’s advanced abilities may help them compensate for learning difficulties, while their struggles may cause others to overlook their intellectual strengths.
For example, a student with dyslexia may have strong reasoning skills but struggle with reading assignments. A student with ADHD may have exceptional creativity and problem-solving abilities while having difficulty with organization and focus.
According to the Child Mind Institute, twice-exceptional children are often misunderstood because their giftedness and challenges can create a complicated picture that does not always fit traditional educational categories. Recognizing both areas is important for providing appropriate support.
Misunderstanding a 2e child’s need can sometimes lead to incorrect assumptions. A student may be labeled as unmotivated, lazy, or disruptive when they are actually experiencing a mismatch between their abilities and the support available.
What does 2e look like in adults, not just kids?
Twice exceptional adults experience the same combination of giftedness and neurodivergent challenges as children, although the signs may appear differently later in life. Many adults discover they are 2e years after feeling misunderstood or struggling in environments that did not recognize their needs.
A twice exceptional (2e) adult may have strong intellectual abilities, creativity, or specialized knowledge while also experiencing challenges with executive functioning, sensory differences, attention, or social communication.
Some adults describe feeling highly capable in certain areas while struggling with tasks that seem simple for others. This uneven profile of strengths and challenges is common among many neurodivergent individuals and can make their experiences difficult to understand.
Identifying as twice exceptional can help adults better understand their experiences. Instead of seeing their challenges as personal shortcomings, they can begin developing strategies that align with their unique strengths, needs, and ways of processing information.
How does giftedness combine with conditions like ADHD or autism?
Giftedness combined with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, or another learning difference creates a unique experience that includes both strengths and challenges. The gifted traits and neurodivergent traits interact rather than separately.
A twice exceptional person with ADHD may have strong creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving skills while struggling with time management, organization, or completing tasks that feel repetitive.
A gifted person with autism may demonstrate deep focus, advanced knowledge, or exceptional attention to detail while also experiencing differences in communication, sensory processing, or social interaction.
A gifted person with dyslexia may have strong verbal reasoning, creativity, or big-picture thinking while needing additional support with reading or written expression.
Understanding this combination allows parents, educators, and therapists to focus on what helps the individual succeed instead of only focusing on areas of difficulty.
What kind of support or accommodations help 2e individuals thrive?
Twice exceptional individuals often benefit from support that recognizes both their abilities and their challenges. Effective strategies should build strengths while providing tools for areas that create difficulty.
Helpful supports may include:
- Flexible learning approaches
- Academic accommodations
- Executive functioning strategies
- Emotional regulation skills
- Social support
- Strength-based encouragement
- Opportunities for advanced learning
Twice-exceptional children may benefit from individualized support at school and home. Parents learn strategies to understand their child’s needs and advocate for appropriate resources.
Midtown Psychology provides support for children and families through individualized care designed around each person’s strengths and challenges. Learn more about therapy for children in NYC.
Can being 2e explain feelings of being “different” or misunderstood growing up?
Yes, being twice exceptional can contribute to feelings of being different, misunderstood, or out of place. Many 2e individuals describe feeling as if they do not fully fit into traditional categories because their abilities and challenges may seem to contradict each other.
A child may feel frustrated because others recognize their intelligence but do not understand why certain tasks remain difficult. An adult may feel confused after years of being told they are capable while still struggling in specific areas.
These experiences can affect confidence and self-esteem over time. Understanding the 2e experience can help individuals develop self-awareness and recognize that differences in learning and processing are not signs of failure.
A neurodiversity-affirming approach focuses on understanding how a person thinks, learns, and experiences the world rather than trying to change who they are.
How does therapy help someone who is twice exceptional?
Therapy can help twice exceptional individuals understand their strengths, manage challenges, and develop strategies to support emotional well-being. Therapy is not about changing a person’s identity; it is about helping them thrive.
A therapist can help 2e individuals and families:
- Understand the relationship between giftedness and neurodivergence
- Build confidence and self-awareness
- Develop emotional regulation skills
- Improve communication
- Manage stress and perfectionism
- Strengthen family relationships
For children and families, therapy can also help parents better understand their child’s needs and respond with support rather than frustration.
Midtown Psychology offers evidence-based treatment approaches that help children, teens, and families navigate emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges. Learn more about treatment options, including Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT).
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, twice exceptional often refers to individuals who are intellectually gifted while also having a learning disability, ADHD, autism, or another neurodivergent difference. However, 2e experiences vary widely because each person’s strengths and challenges are unique.
Yes, adults can be twice exceptional. Many adults discover their 2e identity later in life after recognizing a pattern of advanced abilities alongside challenges with attention, organization, learning, executive functioning, or social experiences.
Common signs include advanced curiosity, strong problem-solving abilities, intense interests, creativity, and uneven performance across different tasks. A child may excel in one area while needing additional support in another.
Midtown Psychology supports twice exceptional children, teens, and adults by taking a strengths-based and individualized approach. The practice recognizes that 2e individuals often have unique combinations of abilities, challenges, and experiences that require personalized care.
If you suspect you or your child may be twice exceptional (2e), we can help you better understand the full picture and find support that honors both strengths and challenges.
Contact Midtown Psychology and schedule a free 15-minute consultation to start the conversation.
About Midtown Psychology
Midtown Psychology is led by Dr. Cara Remmes, who brings specialized experience working with intellectually gifted and twice exceptional (2e) individuals. As a neurodiversity-affirming practice, Midtown Psychology understands that twice exceptional children, teens, and adults often experience a unique combination of high ability and specific challenges that may be overlooked or misunderstood.
The Midtown Psychology team provides individualized, strengths-based care that helps 2e clients and their families better understand their needs, develop effective strategies, and build confidence. Through compassionate, evidence-based therapy, Midtown Psychology supports individuals in recognizing their abilities while receiving the tools they need to thrive.
