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Profile

Join date: Feb 15, 2022

About

ABBY KIRIGIN, Ed.D. 

Executive Director​

Abby worked in tech and startups as an interaction designer for several years before pivoting to education as a result of raising her own twice-exceptional children. Abby received a doctorate from the Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education, where she developed a curriculum to support neurodivergent middle schoolers in strengths-based career exploration. She holds a Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction from Carnegie Mellon and a BA from NYU. 


CALLIE TURK

Co-Founder, Board Chair

Callie is the mom of three teens, one of whom is 2e. Callie draws on her 15-plus year career working with ed tech companies and school districts at the cutting edge of educator professional learning. Callie received her MBA from Stanford University and BS from Miami University (Ohio). She is also a doctoral student with the Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education. ​


YAEL VALEK

Co-Founder, Board Secretary

Yael has two 2e sons in middle and high school. Yael co-founded start-ups in the parenting community and children's creativity spaces. She has served on the board and advisory committees for several education-based non-profits. Yael received her BS and MS in Computer Science from Stanford University.


Posts (117)

May 5, 202627 min
Curiosity, Connection, and Confidence: A New Path to Motivation for 2e Kids
Why can a twice-exceptional learner spend hours deep in a passion project — yet struggle to begin a simple homework assignment? The answer isn't laziness or defiance. It's neuroscience. In this talk from REEL's 2026 Parent Speaker Series, four experts come together to explain the real brain-based reasons motivation breaks down for 2e kids, and what parents can actually do about it. You'll learn: 🧠 The dopamine science behind motivation vs. activation — and why these are not the same thing

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Apr 28, 202670 min
Video: When Writing Feels Hard: Science-Based Strategies for Managing Emotions in 2e Students
Struggling with a "reluctant writer"? Join tutor and researcher Lucy Wallace for a science-based deep dive into the emotional hurdles of twice-exceptional (2e) learners. Discover a practical toolkit to move from "blank page" panic to productive transitions using four key strategies: Calm Your Body: Physiological resets for the nervous system. Change Your Thoughts: Reframing rigid thinking and anxiety. Lighten the Load: Reducing cognitive overload and "decluttering" the process. Rethink...

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Mar 16, 202642 min
After the Diagnosis: Guiding Children Toward a Positive Neurodivergent Identity
Dr. Stacy Greeter presented "After the Diagnosis: Guiding Children Toward a Positive Neurodivergent Identity" for REAL, a nonprofit supporting twice-exceptional students. Drawing on her own late autism diagnosis, she contrasted deficit-based models with neurodiversity-affirming care, emphasizing strength-based framing. The Q&A covered age-appropriate disclosure, emotional regulation, finding community, and parental support.

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