Over the past two years, the REEL Parent Team has seen a growing interest in AuDHD, with more families identifying autism and ADHD as co-occurring parts of their child's neurotype. As a former teacher, parent, education professional, and neurodivergent individual myself, learning more about AuDHD has been incredibly enlightening. It has helped me better understand how these two neurotypes can overlap, interact, and sometimes seem to pull an individual in different directions.

“But you did it yesterday!” If you’re parenting a neurodivergent or twice-exceptional (2e) child, you may have found yourself thinking this, or even saying it out loud. Yesterday, your child did their homework, got dressed independently, or unpacked their lunch bag without prompting. Today, that same task seems insurmountable. You might find yourself feeling frustrated, confused, or wondering why something they can do suddenly seems beyond their reach. It’s easy to interpret

REEL Executive Director Dr. Abby Kirigin breaks down twice-exceptionality (2e) and shares actionable, strengths-first strategies for parents and educators.

Helping dyslexic and twice exceptional children discover their strengths, build confidence, and love the way they think. "I am stupid." Three words no parent or educator ever wants to hear a child say. Yet for some dyslexic and twice exceptional (2e) children, these words reflect how they have come to see themselves. Imagine having wonderful ideas but struggling to put them on paper. Solving difficult problems but forgetting simple instructions. Trying your hardest, day after

Does your bright child read at grade level but struggle with fatigue, anxiety, or writing? Explore the hidden signs of stealth dyslexia in twice-exceptional (2e) learners—and how to get them targeted support.

Your child can explain complex scientific concepts, solve problems in creative ways, or talk at length about their favorite subjects. But when it comes to math homework, even basic addition can bring them to tears. For parents of gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) children, this disconnect can be confusing. How can a child who demonstrates such advanced thinking struggle with something that seems so simple? Sometimes, the answer is dyscalculia. Dyscalculia is a learning disabi

Growing up in the late 80s as a gifted girl, I carried not just my Trapper Keeper and a hair scrunchie, but also a myriad of unidentified learning differences. There were things I was darn good at and areas where I struggled. When all the kids on the blacktop were learning the “cabbage patch” dance move in P.E., I quickly discovered my own attempts elicited laughter. Trying to ride my bike to a friend’s house a few streets over, I would get lost. I’m talking really lost. I co

A student can understand complex concepts yet forget to submit homework, have sophisticated ideas but struggle to put them on paper, or earn A’s while barely managing the demands behind those grades. This is common among twice-exceptional (2e) learners, students whose advanced abilities coexist with learning, attention, or developmental challenges. Their strengths can mask their struggles, and their struggles can hide their strengths. As students move from elementary school t