Twice-exceptional individuals represent a unique group in the broader spectrum of neurodiversity. They are distinguished not only by their notable intellectual prowess or giftedness but also by the challenges they confront because of learning differences or disabilities. Although the term is typically employed in the context of children’s education, twice-exceptionality continues to impact people throughout their lifespan, even into adulthood.

Understanding the multifaceted nature of twice-exceptional adults and the unique challenges they often encounter can pave the way towards more inclusive personal relationships, workplaces, and societies. In this blog, let’s shed some more light on this topic and offer some practical tips to ensure better recognition and support for twice-exceptional adults.

What Does it Mean to be Twice-Exceptional?

Twice-exceptional is a term generally used to describe individuals who are intellectually gifted and yet also face challenges due to a learning, behavioral, emotional, or neurological difference. For a comprehensive guide to understanding twice-exceptionality, you can refer to our previous post, Understanding Twice-Exceptionality: A Parent’s Guide.

When it comes to twice-exceptional adults, the manifestation of twice-exceptionality can be quite diverse. While some may have received their identification and appropriate support during their school years, others might only discover their twice-exceptionality in adulthood. This late identification can occur for multiple reasons, including lack of access to testing and mental health resources, or due to masking – where giftedness and learning differences hide each other leading to delays in recognizing the full scope of an individual’s abilities and needs.

Challenges Faced by Twice-Exceptional Adults

Twice-exceptional adults often face a unique set of challenges. These stem largely due to the intersection of high cognitive abilities and areas of difficulty or disability.

However, it is important not to make sweeping generalizations about this group, as twice-exceptional adults are a richly diverse group with distinct needs and experiences. Here are some of the common challenges they might face:

1. Mental Health Issues: Research suggests that twice-exceptional individuals have higher rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. If you want to know more about supporting emotional health, you can visit our blog post: Gifted and Stressed: Mindfulness Practices for High Achievers.

2. Difficulties in Social Interactions: They may feel misunderstood by their peers, which can lead to feelings of isolation. For strategies on navigating these social situations, see our blog post: Giftedness and Friendship: Navigating Social Challenges.

3. Workplace Challenges: Accommodations that are commonly accepted in educational contexts may not be as readily available or understood in the workplace. Gifted adults may also struggle with boredom and or a feeling of underachievement in their careers.

4. Lack of understanding and societal misconceptions: Many misconceptions exist around all types of neurodiversity – and these misunderstandings can be even more prevalent when it comes to twice-exceptional adults. Our earlier post Breaking Myths: The Reality of Raising a Gifted Child dives deeper into some of these myths.

Supporting Twice-Exceptional Adults

• Be Understanding and Empathetic: One of the primary ways to support twice-exceptional individuals is through understanding and empathy. Acknowledge the struggles they face while also valuing their talents and intellectual capabilities.

• Offer Workplace Support: Employers can play a crucial role in supporting twice-exceptional adults. This can be through accommodations like flexible working hours, remote work options, or a tailored work environment.

• Advocate for Rights: Advocacy is essential in ensuring the rights and needs of twice-exceptional adults are considered in all areas of life, from workplaces to society at large.

• Provide Access to Mental Health Resources: With higher rates of mental health challenges, twice-exceptional adults can benefit greatly from accessible and tailored mental health resources.

• Raise Awareness: Increasing societal awareness on twice-exceptionality can directly impact how well twice-exceptional adults are understood and supported. This includes raising awareness about particular conditions like ADHD or Autism that might be a part of the twice-exceptional profile. You can learn more on this through our wider blog series on supporting special needs.

Recognizing and supporting twice-exceptional adults requires societal effort and empathy. While this blog provides an overview of how we can do this, it is only the beginning of a much more comprehensive conversation. As we continue to explore the many faces of neurodiversity and work towards inclusivity, let’s strive to include all voices and experiences, including those of twice-exceptional adults.