In this video Tarra Knotts discusses the traits and experiences of students with PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) In our May 2025...

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...

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.

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,...

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.

In this recording from Join REEL's executive director, Abby Kirigin, to discover new strategies and ideas for supporting twice-exceptional (2e) students at school using the DEAR REEL model. We developed the DEAR REEL model to provide a more concrete way to provide guidance on working with the 2e. The model is based on academic research and best practices from experienced educators about what works for these learners. The DEAR REEL model consists of four lenses: Develop Connec

TL;DR Parents of 2e learners often have trouble finding an ideal learning environment for their child. Should you stay in public school,...

Having a kiddo with lagging executive function skills can make parents feel panicked. But we parents are uniquely well-positioned to help.

Lital encouraged parents to slow down when deciding which services and therapies are truly the best fit for their child and family.

Understanding, honoring, and integrating the interest and strengths of 2e learners is paramount to their well-being, and yet so rarely considered in the educational context. How can parents work with their child's school to encourage strength-based approaches, whether that be in a teacher conference, the IEP process, or other conversations? Join us for this special Neurodiversity Celebration Week lunchtime meetup with Dr. Jade Rivera, Director of the Strength-Based Assessment

REEL hosted its fourth annual private school panel event in October 2023. The event featured five panelists sharing their unique perspectives on what parents should think about when considering private school placement for their twice-exceptional children.

how dyslexia, dysgraphia, working memory, and processing speed can impact performance in math.

the dynamic duo of Amy & Jac of Autism Level Up (ALU) spoke to REEL about how adults can be neurodiversity affirming forces in the lives of their 2e students.

REEL hosted a panel of parents with kids who have attended both private and public schools as well as psychologist Dr. Lisa White of Summit Center, who advises families on schools for 2e learners. We did not record the session in order to protect the privacy of our panelists.

Are you considering a private school for your 2e child? Join REEL members Abby Kirigin, Carmen O'Shea, and Callie Turk - three parents of 2e kids that have experienced a dozen Bay Area K-12 schools firsthand and researched 30+ more. Learn about the various foci of local private, public, and charter schools as well as the tradeoffs of each for 2e kids. Ask questions and get answers from the parent perspective.

In this uplifting workshop, Abby Kirigin shares how to help neurodivergent students thrive by celebrating their unique brains. She offers strategies to build confidence and self-efficacy, separate content goals from expression challenges, and integrate strength-based learning into daily life—all to help students re-engage, shine, and face challenges with renewed energy.