Types of Twice-Exceptional Children
Several combinations of learning giftedness and disabilities have been identified. Below is a list of those different types of twice-exceptional children, along with a brief description and real-life examples of people who demonstrate each combination of gifts and disabilities.
§ Intellectually Gifted Children with Physical Disabilities –
Because intellectual aptitude and physical disabilities are not typically connected, students who are physically incapacitated can also be classified as academically gifted. Stephen Hawking, a world-renowned physicist and mathematician, is almost completely paralyzed due to a motor neuron disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (National Education Association, 2006, p. 6). Franklin Roosevelt, the thirty-second President of the United States, contracted polio at thirty-nine years of age and lost the use of both legs.
§ Intellectually Gifted Children with Sensory Disabilities –
This category primarily includes children who are hearing impaired or blind, but there are other disorders that can affect the senses. Many school districts today are better equipped to meet the academic and physical needs of students that fall into this category. A well-known gifted learner with sensory disabilities was Helen Keller, who was both deaf and blind (National Education Association, 2006, p. 6).
§ Intellectually Gifted Children with Asperger Syndrome –
Asperger Syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder that affects language and social development in children, and students with this disorder frequently display advanced capabilities in several academic areas. When a child has both intellectual giftedness and Asperger Syndrome, however, “both the disorder and the giftedness tend to be missed” (Clark, 2013, p. 265). Though not wholly documented, it has been speculated that Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, and Bill Gates all had/have Asperger Syndrome (Hill Country Disabled Group, n.d).
§ Intellectually Gifted Children with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders –
Research suggests that “gifted students are no more or less likely than their non-identified peers to experience emotional or psychosocial difficulties” (National Education Association, 2006, p. 6). When gifted students are affected by emotional or behavioral disorders, however, their academic gifts are frequently overlooked due to their behavior. Winston Churchill, the former Prime Minister of the U.K. during the early part of the twentieth century, suffered from bipolar disorder.
§ Intellectually Gifted Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder –
ADHD is one of the most common behavioral disorders. Typically diagnosed during childhood, it is characterized by hyperactivity and difficulty focusing and controlling impulsive behavior. Sir Richard Branson, an accomplished businessman and the founder of Virgin Airlines, has spoken openly about his struggles with ADHD during his childhood.
§ Intellectually Gifted Children with Learning Disabilities –
Children that fall into this subset represent the largest percentage of twice-exceptional children. These students are most at risk of misidentification or lack of identification because when their gifts and disabilities are combined, they typically function on grade level; teachers and parents fail to recognize the need for gifted or special education support (National Education Association, 2006, p. 6). Well-known individuals with learning disabilities include Walt Disney, founder of the Disney entertainment empire, and Woodrow Wilson, the twenty-eighth president of the United States.
Click below to see more famous twice-exceptional learners.
§ Intellectually Gifted Children with Physical Disabilities –
Because intellectual aptitude and physical disabilities are not typically connected, students who are physically incapacitated can also be classified as academically gifted. Stephen Hawking, a world-renowned physicist and mathematician, is almost completely paralyzed due to a motor neuron disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (National Education Association, 2006, p. 6). Franklin Roosevelt, the thirty-second President of the United States, contracted polio at thirty-nine years of age and lost the use of both legs.
§ Intellectually Gifted Children with Sensory Disabilities –
This category primarily includes children who are hearing impaired or blind, but there are other disorders that can affect the senses. Many school districts today are better equipped to meet the academic and physical needs of students that fall into this category. A well-known gifted learner with sensory disabilities was Helen Keller, who was both deaf and blind (National Education Association, 2006, p. 6).
§ Intellectually Gifted Children with Asperger Syndrome –
Asperger Syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder that affects language and social development in children, and students with this disorder frequently display advanced capabilities in several academic areas. When a child has both intellectual giftedness and Asperger Syndrome, however, “both the disorder and the giftedness tend to be missed” (Clark, 2013, p. 265). Though not wholly documented, it has been speculated that Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, and Bill Gates all had/have Asperger Syndrome (Hill Country Disabled Group, n.d).
§ Intellectually Gifted Children with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders –
Research suggests that “gifted students are no more or less likely than their non-identified peers to experience emotional or psychosocial difficulties” (National Education Association, 2006, p. 6). When gifted students are affected by emotional or behavioral disorders, however, their academic gifts are frequently overlooked due to their behavior. Winston Churchill, the former Prime Minister of the U.K. during the early part of the twentieth century, suffered from bipolar disorder.
§ Intellectually Gifted Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder –
ADHD is one of the most common behavioral disorders. Typically diagnosed during childhood, it is characterized by hyperactivity and difficulty focusing and controlling impulsive behavior. Sir Richard Branson, an accomplished businessman and the founder of Virgin Airlines, has spoken openly about his struggles with ADHD during his childhood.
§ Intellectually Gifted Children with Learning Disabilities –
Children that fall into this subset represent the largest percentage of twice-exceptional children. These students are most at risk of misidentification or lack of identification because when their gifts and disabilities are combined, they typically function on grade level; teachers and parents fail to recognize the need for gifted or special education support (National Education Association, 2006, p. 6). Well-known individuals with learning disabilities include Walt Disney, founder of the Disney entertainment empire, and Woodrow Wilson, the twenty-eighth president of the United States.
Click below to see more famous twice-exceptional learners.