Watch this discussion about the twice-exceptional (2e) learner. You’ll get an inside look into these children’s experiences and learn specific strategies to help them thrive. Speakers will talk about how to reframe the situation, reduce stress, work with unexpected behaviors, and help neurodivergent, 2e children feel supported.

Jamie and Rainn’s talk, “Behind the Mask,” explored how 2E kids manage anxiety through masking, often appearing high-achieving while struggling internally. They shared personal stories as late-diagnosed neurodivergent adults and stressed the need for safe spaces where children can unmask and be themselves.

Discover how AI can support—or hinder—2e students’ writing. Learn when AI helps, when it harms, and how to foster joyful, strengths-based writing skills.

Self-regulation through the twice-exceptional lens is layered and complex. Many 2E kids feel deeply—whether it’s excitement, frustration, injustice, or curiosity—and that intensity is part of their gift. But without the right tools, that energy can be misdirected, leading to exhaustion, shutdowns, or misunderstandings. As Teresa Nyer explains, “This intensity is magnificent. So let’s make sure we can help with the right regulation tools to show up as the child they want to be

The panel, hosted by REAL, explored educational options for twice-exceptional (2E) learners. Speakers outlined REAL’s parent and educator resources, then discussed public school supports (universal accommodations, SST, 504, IEP), private school pros/cons and types (2E, specialty, gifted, micro, mainstream, hybrid), and homeschooling as a flexible, strength-based path. Q&A covered advocacy, fit, transitions, and prioritizing emotional well-being when choosing environments.

Learn about the five root causes of writing challenges plus the additional impacts of anxiety and perfectionism. We’ll discuss how to figure out what’s going on, and how to support each one. This session synthesizes various methods from specialists and private writing tutors and is full of practical tips and techniques.

After the screening of Left Behind we hosted a powerful panel conversation about the intersection of dyslexia and giftedness. This panel brings together leaders in the field of learning differences: --Dr. Fernette Eide, international expert on dyslexia and co-author of The Dyslexic Advantage and The Mislabeled Child, co-creator of the forthcoming movie, The Dyslexic Advantage. --Anna Cencioso, Founder and Head of School at Touchstone Learning --Mandy Hoff, Learning Specialist

In our Sept 2025 support group for parenting 2e kids, Heather, a parent and professional advocate, explores practical ways to foster warm, collaborative communication with teachers while also navigating the more challenging moments when accommodations aren’t fully understood or supported. Parents will leave with concrete strategies for framing conversations, reducing conflict, and keeping the focus on their child’s strengths and growth. Read the transcript here all of your sy

Our May 2025 support group for parenting 2e kids, Tarra Knotts discusses the traits and experiences of students with PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance). Read the transcript here I think I ran into real to eat before I ran into parents helping parents. But anyway, I've been running the PDA, pathological demand avoidance or pervasive drive for autonomy parent group with parents helping parents. Originally it started in real 2 and then we moved it over to parent helping parents

REEL and the Landmark College Bay Area Success Center co-hosted an online event for Bay Area college counselors to learn top tips for supporting neurodivergent students through the college search and selection process. Success Center Executive Director Sandra Fishler set the context for the discussion. REEL Co-Founder Callie Turk shared the parent perspective. Landmark College students Daniel and Talia shared their personal experiences.

At the July 2025 PHP REEL Support Group, Leisa, a 2e/neurodivergent parent and professional from Calm in Chaos Co who specializes in organizing spaces for neurodivergent brains and lifestyles, spoke about organizing for back to school. She follows a “strengths-based” philosophy. "What strengths do I have and how can I use my strengths and awareness of struggles to organize our spaces to work for us?" She offered great tips like, “take sensory sensitivity into consideration w

Parents of twice-exceptional (gifted + learning differences) kids face challenges with executive function (EF) skills, which develop slower in neurodivergent children. Tools like the EF Vocabulary Cheat Sheet and Strengths & EF Struggles Map help families identify challenges and strengths. Involving kids in these exercises builds self-awareness and support strategies.

Learn how to support executive functioning in twice-exceptional (2e) learners with expert Rachel Kapp. This online talk offers practical strategies, tailored tools, and school advocacy tips to help 2e students thrive by leveraging their strengths and understanding their unique learning profiles.

We will discuss how students' strengths helped them overcome challenges, what schools and parents can do to best support K-12 2e learners, and hear advice for students who are struggling.

A heartfelt thank you  to everyone who joined us for our inaugural K-12 Strengths Fair  on Sunday, March 9! The event was a huge success, with hundreds of attendees  exploring a variety of exhibitors, kids diving into hands-on projects, and parents connecting with one another while hearing from our incredible speakers. The energy in the room was unforgettable —families found a space to be themselves, celebrate their children’s strengths and interests, and engage with valuable

Sam Young of Young Scholars Academy talks about focusing on the strengths of the child to develop positive learning outcomes.

In this recording from the 2025 REEL Strengths Fair, Sam Young discusses ways to help your student plan and organize. Link to resource at the end: https://youngscholarsacademy.org/courses/self-paced/demo-optin

Gil Gershoni of Dyslexic Thinking and Gershoni Creative discusses strengths of the dyslexic mind.

This panel will delve into the intricacies of writing challenges faced by 2e learners, exploring how writing draws on multiple cognitive, linguistic, and motor skills that can be impacted by a variety of exceptionalities such as ADHD, dysgraphia, or executive functioning difficulties. We’ll explore the mismatch between their creative or analytical thinking and their ability to express those ideas in written form. Our panel of writing experts - Dr. Austina De Bonte from Smart

Dr. Kari Berquist will discuss the SPACE program, Dr. Bradley Siu will introduce DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), and Toni Ratzburg, LMFT, will share insights on integrative perspective therapy, , where therapists interweave different approaches based on the specific needs and personalities of the client.