Twice Exceptionality: Insight Into Paradoxical Learners Through Neurological and Neuropsychological Investigation

Session Submission Type: Symposium

Abstract

How does neurodevelopment lead to both gifts and disabilities in the same individual? How do we leverage existing measures to sharpen characterization of twice exceptionality expressed in dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism? Though a topic of compelling interest for those interested in STEM talent and creativity development, because of the strengths often exhibited by twice exceptional individuals such as visual and spatial ability, pattern recognition and memory, and divergent thinking capacity, we know very little about the underlying functional and structural neurophysiology, or translating diagnosis to programmatic avenues for supporting this intellectual combination. This session will report current results from neuroimaging and neuropsychology alongside data from two of the country’s leading centers identifying and serving twice exceptional students.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Brain, Neurosciences and Education

Chair

• Mary Layne Kalbfleisch, George Washington University

Papers

• Twice-Exceptionality Post-IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) 2004 - Susan G. Assouline, University of Iowa

• A Neurodevelopmental Study of the Gifted and Twice Exceptional With Dyslexia - Jeffrey W. Gilger, Purdue University

• When Extremely Gifted Students Are Twice-Exceptional: Issues and Insights Related to Diagnosis and Intervention - Linda Brody, Johns Hopkins University

Discussant

• Virginia W. Berninger, University of Washington