Learning Disabilities

Growing numbers of gifted students are challenged by a variety of learning disabilities that compromise their academic and social development. These disabilities may take the form of difficulties learning to read, write, or understand mathematics. Gifted students may experience cognitive processing issues such as remembering details, following directions, and organizing tasks.

Other students may have difficulty focusing and sustaining attention or completing assignments. Finally, the deficits may involve understanding and coping with social and emotional demands placed on the students. Often these talented but challenged youngsters have difficulties in all three realms. Because of the duality of their characteristics—gifts and challenges—this special population of gifted students is often referred to as twice exceptional. This designation draws attention to the duality of their needs to accommodate the ...