Adjusting versus Masking: How Neurodiverse Adults Can Thrive in a Neurotypical World
When talking with 2e adults, inevitably, the topic of “masking” comes up. After years of feeling different, they notice that their priorities, goals, and needs are dissimilar to just about everyone else they come into contact with on a daily basis. 2e adults learn to “mask” their needs in order to avoid judgment and conflict. […]
Lessons from Summertime for Parents and Twice Exceptional Adults
Is summertime a microcosm for how we really want to live our lives? I think about vacation, the fluidity of lazy mornings or afternoons, the flexibility in our schedules – staying up because the sun goes to bed late. We plan adventures and take risks. Our days are filled with creativity, and we’re motivated to […]
Lessons from Loss and Self-love
“When you love so deeply, pain hurts more.” That’s what my husband said to me after our beloved red standard poodle, Tigger, passed away from an aggressive cancer just two weeks ago. You may remember Tigger – he was in almost every video I produced. Parents and 2e adult clients who met in person, lay […]
Collaborative Communication Skills on Behalf of 2e Learners
Since the Gifted and Distractible blog literally posts on National Teachers’ Day this year, I’d like to address the importance of, and how to communicate effectively between teachers and parents of 2e kids. Emotions tend to run high in 2e people and we know twice exceptionality is genetic, so we can assume that one or […]
Ignorance in Any Language Causes People to Suffer
Italy is known for culture and art (not to mention gelato and cannoli!). I recently had the opportunity to visit and present at an international conference while visiting the beautiful city of Florence. What I learned was staggering. In Italy, gifted is not a recognized term. Twice exceptional is therefore, well, twice unknown. The educators, […]
Balancing Social Emotional Needs and the “Real World”
SEL or Social Emotional Learning are buzz words in today’s educational system and recommended as a focus in the home to encourage social success. Yet it is imperative that SEL consider the existential considerations and emotional overexcitability that are often part of the gifted and twice exceptional person’s profile. While SEL can provide a cushion […]
Life’s Struggle is the Ultimate Blessing
The people I talk to all day long are struggling – either as parents or 2e adults. Something, or maybe seemingly everything, is hard. They wonder, “How and when will this get easier?” “Why don’t I know what to do?” “What do I need to make this better?” They just want peace and calm. Not […]
An Important Message to 2e People from an Unlikely Movie, an Illusive Museum, and a Game
What do the movie, Legally Blonde, the D.C. Illusions Museum, and the game Telestrations have in common? They all preach self-confidence in a way that is utterly important for 2e people. It’s been an awesome vacation week. My Mom is with us for an extended visit. My college son is home, and my middle schooler […]
Being 2e During the Holiday Season
As we enter the holiday season, 2e families and 2e adults are feeling lots of the BIG FEELS; some positive, some not so positive. You, your child, or your student might be feeling: Relief over a schedule that includes vacation days. Trepidation over office parties and social gatherings filled with small talk. Excitement about travel […]
A Letter to Elon Musk
Dear Elon Musk, You have an awesome opportunity to do good. The First Amendment, freedom of speech, is sacred for Democracy to thrive. Yet, like yelling “Fire!” in a movie theater, there are some words that are too dangerous, that incite violence, unleash hate, and endorse malice. What will you do, Elon, with that big, […]
