#gtchat Archive
Global #gtchat Powered by TAGT is a weekly chat on Twitter that takes place on Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT and 5 p.m. PT in the U.S. For one hour, parents, educators, advocates and experts in the field of gifted and talented gather to share resources, links, authentic life experiences and insights about gifted issues.
Tuesday July 19, 2016
For the next hour I’ll be joining others at ( ) ~ please pardon the heavy stream; or better yet, join us!
Welcome to Global Gifted and Talented Chat Powered by the Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented
Our topic today is “What is Twice-Exceptional?”
Thanks for coming out! Let's take a minute to introduce ourselves. Share who you are & where you’re from! https://t.co/xmyLiwaJCH
I’m Lisa Conrad ~ advocate, conference presenter, blogger & mother of 2 gifted young adults from Pittsburgh, PA
Hi! Jo Freitag from Gifted Resources and Sprite's Site Victoria Australia here at 10.00 am on Wednesday for
New to ? We use a Q1) / A1) format for questions & answers. Remember to add the hashtag >>> to each tweet!
New to ? We use a Q1) / A1) format for questions & answers. Remember to add the hashtag >>> to each tweet!
Ruth here, signing on in Maine. GT coordinator by day....
Hi, I am a public speaking teacher, a literacy coach, and a GT Lead in our district.
Welcome, Ruth! I was just in Maine a couple weeks ago - beautiful!
Hi! I'm Kate! First I teach 3-5th grade gifted learners
Tracy from North Texas - parent and education advocate.
welcome! You're in for a treat will become your one stop virtual PD!!
Welcome Kate Hope you enjoy
Hi, I'm Marguerite from Leander TX, and I am parent to 2 GT young adults and teacher of GT English HS. First chat. Lurking to learn.
Welcome, Marguerite, to !
Hi! I'm Bee~ a learner~teacher of gifted 3rd, 4th, 5th graders~Chicago area
Question 1 is up on deck; let’s chat!
Q1) What characteristics would you expect to see when identifying a twice-exceptional student? https://t.co/pFlLgBxCnN
A1) 2E students may be identified gifted, but have subtle learning disabilities that lead to frustration/lack of self-confidence.
Hi! I'm Alex Clough. Parent of 2 2e kiddos, former teacher and school counselor and soon to be homeschooling mom.
A1 - You expect to see ANYTHING and nothing. It's not as simple as to provide a list of characteristics... GT kids can mask issues.
A1) 2E kids can show strength in many areas and yet have difficulty with organizational skills or task completion.
Frustration. Misunderstood.
A1) 2E students are creative thinkers which is often ENHANCED by another exceptionality. It is what makes them great learners!!
A1: Ss that are identified with a learning disability, but I look deeper for their strengths. Are they gifted in an area also?
Yes! Love this; need positive view of ! https://t.co/yRi9W4TZ9J
A1) 2E students are creative thinkers which is often ENHANCED by another exceptionality. It is what makes them great learners!!
A1) Wide range & variety: motor delay, ADD, LD, Aspergers, and last year Autistic
A1) Giftedness can mask disabilities and disabilities prevent full expression of the giftedness
A1) Far too often, disabilities mask abilities and professionals fail to see child’s strengths.
actually great thinkers...learning in "school" doesn't always work the right way given the structure
A1) Discrepancies between verbal & written work; extraordinary task commitment when something interests them.
They might seen as the "typical C" student.
A2) Educators/admins need to be educated about what to look for in 2E students; how to identify abilities.
A2: Educate your admin/educators. Share what you have learned through research. Be on the MTSS team. https://t.co/1b9J0qyNoo
Provide opportunities for learning via Twitter and .
A2) Education needed to bust myths surrounding giftedness and the possibility of students being 2E
A2: If you have to convince, they may need education. I've brought books & resources to T's - helps me understand 2.
A2) With difficulty. I've advocated for students as a teacher and counselor but it only worked if the disability was seen first.
A2) Present details of work/play habits in and out of school; document strengths as well as discrepancies.
A2) 2E students test well on aptitude tests but may not perform well on achievement, this discrepancy speaks to unique abilities
Uniquely Gifted: Identifying and Meeting the Needs of the Twice-Exceptional Student (Amazon) https://t.co/nyuM7XEbMB
I've been down this road far too many times. Frustrating!
A2) Informal conversations & providing info about the whole child help
Very important to consider whole child. https://t.co/ATwaAWmblX
A2) Informal conversations & providing info about the whole child help
A2) more PD and communication, stories and experiences from kids
A1) Went to my children's school with data and still couldn't get 2e recognized in either child.
Q3) Why do most professionals in the field of education prioritize deficits before strengths? https://t.co/pe1Gjt2hSR
BAUM, Susan M., Owen, Steve V. and Dixon, John
To be gifted& learning disabled Melbourne, Hawker Brownlow Education, c.1993
Where we need more advocates! State involvement. https://t.co/dbDM7ULweH
A1) Went to my children's school with data and still couldn't get 2e recognized in either child.
A3) bc we focus on raising the bar instead of raising the tide
Yes it is! As a parent and an educator. Our district only has achievement data so it's hard to find discrepancies.
A3) It’s easy to see deficits first & federal mandates prioritize assistance in these areas through funding.
Twice-Exceptional Students Gifted Students with Disabilities Level 1: An Introductory Resource Book (pdf) https://t.co/NHYSr4Y0gp
Simply many are not trained to look at assets.
A3) Education policy is focused on bringing up the bottom; as with gifted, little attention to excellence.
A3) They tend to prioritize deficits as they perceive that is area of more need. Sometimes funding and provisions are available
A3) Deficits are easier to see and federally mandated with IEP. We still have this mentality that we can "fix" kids.
A3) Because educators are problem solvers? We want to "fix" things not look at helping Ss use all that makes them unique.
We’re already half way through our chat! Thanks for all the great sharing.
A3: Human nature to see faults first, just like when giving feedback. I'm not sure they prioritize it. https://t.co/R4v63qAW0m
Q3) Why do most professionals in the field of education prioritize deficits before strengths? https://t.co/pe1Gjt2hSR
Q4) Why is it important to address exceptionalities together when developing an education plan? https://t.co/ld0Lf7oEDJ
A3: Our schools are driven by st stds for all...focus is on floor (and every "problem" getting there), not raising/removing ceiling!
A4) Opposing exceptionalities depend on accommodation and challenge to achieve the best possible outcomes.
A4) Educational plans should be individualized and focus on talents!
A4) It's part of seeing the whole child. You can't understand a child or help them grow by only looking at one aspect.
A3) As educators we ID where child need to improve first and design experiences targeting that growth
We need to reconceptualize why we educate!
A4) Failure to address both abilities & disabilities simultaneously can lead to frustration and even mental health issues.
A4) Attention must be given to both sets of needs simultaneously. Need appropriate level depth and pace with necessary supports
Too often professionals don't understand the duality of these needs! https://t.co/PswPxHLiyt
A4) Attention must be given to both sets of needs simultaneously. Need appropriate level depth and pace with necessary supports
Thanks for all these great resources. I'm working on compiling information for teachers in my district and this is so helpful!
A4) Design learning experiences per whole child, then differentiate per need
A4) Helps child reconcile conflict. Great readers may need glasses. No reading w/out them. Awareness of +/- encourages use of tools.
This is why we will be homeschooling next year.
A3) Educators sometimes feel that they are not doing their job if they are not working on their weaknesses. Strengths are minimized
A4) Provisions for giftedness should not be denied until LD is 'fixed' as LD may be a life long condition
Yes! Working hard to reinvent education,not "reform"... is a gr8 context! https://t.co/zWLJi51aGf
We need to reconceptualize why we educate!
We know so many parents going this route. Check out https://t.co/4DsiCtAhJR
This is why we will be homeschooling next year.
Project-based learning and can be very beneficial.
A5) 2E Ss are often not understood or welcomed by peers. Ys need to focus on talents to raise self-efficacy
A5:It is like they are in dual-bodies. Some see only the disabilities & some only see the gifts in 2e kids. https://t.co/LI33ECNGy2
A5) frustration, poor self concept, feeling out of step or unable to measure up to intellectual peers
Hi I'm Lezlie from MO- 5th & 6th Grade GT Teacher!
A5B: Based on that, they can a difficult time relating to peers in certain situations. https://t.co/sj04nuNbRh
A5:It is like they are in dual-bodies. Some see only the disabilities & some only see the gifts in 2e kids. https://t.co/LI33ECNGy2
Over and out! Thx for a great chat!
A5) 2E kids can understand social cues/context, but lack skills to engage in relationships with age-peers.
A5: Boredom compounded by impatience.
Hi I'm Lezlie from MO- 5th & 6th Grade GT Teacher, Asst. Dir. of Dist. B of GAM & Conference Presenter!
A5) Self confidence and self esteem can be problems for 2E students
A5) Facing emotional setbacks, learning how to be resilient, believing in own abilities are all challenges for
A5: Lack of perspective taking being mistaken for arrogance. I like Maria Garcia Winters work in this area.
They seem to appreciate ideas over drama.
With 2-E you have complementary and contrary behaviors between the two exceptionalities, so it can be tricky to navigate .
A5) S/E challenges~ pacing, poor team skills, perceived as unorganized, feeling out of sync with gifted peers
A2) Data can drive change. Demonstrate the reality of 2e Ss by showing Admin. Data Substantiating both exceptionalities.
Hi! Good to "see" you! :o)
A5) Focus may be on the perceived deficit ADHD, Dyslexia, ED which neglects their gifts. Then students only see their negative label
A6) 2E kids need to feel understood, be provided a caring environment, encouraged to develop in areas of strength.
A6: Modify for their needs, focus on their strengths. Sometimes they need help realizing their strengths. https://t.co/1g2UeDlRN0
A6) 2e kids need to feel understood and understand themselves. Awareness of strengths and challenges is power.
A3: Residue of NCLB & fear of Ss "slipping thru the cracks" has Ts focus on deficits 1st 2 strengthen gaps b4 they run out of time.
Smaller class sizes, more one-one-one, general care and concern.
A6) A strong home-school support system rooted in understanding basic needs of 2E students will strengthen their resolve.
A6: 2E Ss should be supported in all of their needs...not just where they need help, but also with their strengths!
A6) To best support 2E students - Build on their strengths and interests with Investigative programs
Our state finally allows both GIEP and 504s used together.
A6) Build Advocate Team ~parent, social worker, resource t, reg t, & gifted t
We’re nearing the end of today … final thoughts/takeaways?
This will be archived at & the link will be shared via later today
Thanks to the extraordinary staff for their awesome support; we couldn’t do it without them!
Thanks to the Advisory Board:
Be sure to follow some of the new friends you met here today at to continue the convo!
A5) A Social Emotional Challenge for 2e Ss can be finding their niche. Both GT Class & SE Class can feel "not quite right" as a fit.
Our next chat will be on Tues July 26th at 8E/7C/6M/5P (US)/Wed 27th July at 1AM (UK)/12.00 NZST/10.00 AEST
The movement is helping provide support for 2e students.
Next week will be the final chat in our Professional Development Summer Series!
A6) Making Ss aware of 2E models like Walt Disney, Temple Grandin, Thomas Edison and their contributions to our society.
Chat w/ Great book on microschools!
