Introduction by GiftedKids.in
Two things are true about the same child and the school can only hold one of them. Brilliant in conversation, struggling to finish a written page. Reading far above their level, unable to organise a bag. So the child gets filed as clever and lazy, and both halves of what is actually happening are missed.
Dr Inderbir Kaur Sandhu on twice-exceptionality — where strengths and difficulties live in one child and hide each other.
“How can my child be so advanced in some areas but struggle so much in others?”
A Question That Often Brings Relief
For many families, discovering the concept of twice-exceptionality (2e) provides an answer they have been searching for.
Twice-exceptional children are gifted children who also have another learning or developmental difference, such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia or other challenges.
Why 2e Children Are Often Missed
Twice-exceptionality can be difficult to recognise because strengths and challenges can hide each other.
A gifted child may use strong reasoning skills to compensate for difficulties, making challenges less obvious. Alternatively, struggles with attention, writing or organisation may prevent adults from recognising the child’s high ability.
What I Have Learnt From My Assessment Room
Some of the most misunderstood children I have assessed are twice-exceptional.
Parents often describe years of confusion: “How can my child explain complex ideas but forget simple instructions?”
The answer is that development is not always even. A child can have extraordinary strengths and genuine difficulties at the same time.
How Parents Can Support 2e Children
Parents can help by:
- Recognising both strengths and challenges.
- Avoiding labels such as lazy or careless.
- Seeking comprehensive assessments when needed.
- Supporting areas of difficulty while continuing to nurture talents.
- Remembering that giftedness does not remove the need for support.
Myth vs Reality
A gifted child cannot have a learning difficulty.
Giftedness and challenges can coexist. Understanding both is essential.
Dr Inderbir's Reflection
One of the greatest privileges of my work is helping families see the whole child.
A child is not defined only by strengths or only by struggles. Twice-exceptional children remind us that human ability is complex.
When we stop asking, “How can this child be both?” and start asking, “How do we support the whole child?”, everything changes.
Want to Learn More?
Dr Inderbir Kaur Sandhu is a psychologist, gifted education specialist and author of The Secret to Raising a Smarter Child. With over two decades of experience working with gifted and twice-exceptional children, she specialises in understanding how children think, learn and thrive. Her work focuses on cognitive assessment, talent development and helping families nurture children's strengths while supporting their social and emotional development.