Are you teaching a bright child who

• Can’t sit still?
• Needs frequent redirection?
• Seems to rile up his classmates?
• Often forgets to turn in his homework?

Does this student

• Ask a lot of questions, often seemingly off topic?
• Get stuck on certain assignments?
• Resist following rules? Suggest “a better way” to do things?
• React in a way that seems “over the top?”

Do other students

• Have a hard time relating to this child?
• Complain about this child’s behavior?

Sometimes students with the most potential cause their teachers the most stress. Though seemingly counterintuitive, disruptive students are often highly interested learners. One might assume that deep thinkers are easy to engage. Yet, teaching 2e students often feels like the lot of Sisyphus – that Greek character forced to roll a boulder to the top of a mountain only to have it roll back.

No matter what you try, the students resists, acts out, or refuses. Attempts to engage with parents of 2e students is often met with defensiveness and distrust. There are good reasons for all of these reactions. 2e students struggle with perfectionism, self-doubt, expectations, fear of failure, sensory and social challenges that can affect their ability to attend. Families feel judged, confused and know that their child isn’t seen for his strengths.