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Gifted or 2E: When to Get Support

Not all gifted kids are alike, but families often report seeing some of the characteristics below. While many of these characteristics are seen as strengths, they can also make learning in a traditional classroom environment difficult.

Note: This list is not meant to be comprehensive, nor should it take the place of diagnosis from a qualified professional. It is intended as a starting point for families to use in a conversation with your provider.

Ability to Understand/Explore Advanced Subjects

Gifted kids can often understand material that is several grades ahead of their same-age peers. They may also learn quickly, need fewer repetitions and use advanced vocabulary.

Asynchronous Development

It’s not uncommon for gifted children to develop more quickly in some areas than in others. When this happens, children can show a high level of skill in one area - like reading or math - but fall below peers in another.

Asynchronous development is more common in highly gifted learners (see Profoundly Gifted Children, below). It can also result from a disability like dyslexia or ADHD.

Underachievement

Gifted kids can sometimes appear “average” in class because they are bored or masking their abilities.

Children with attention issues or learning disabilities, like dyslexia, dyscalculia or dysgraphia, also may not perform to their potential.

Need for Constant Mental Stimulation

Families often share that their gifted child has gotten in trouble after being bored in class. Many gifted kids have extreme needs for mental stimulation.

Kids with attention issues or ADHD also have difficulties with too much or too little mental stimulation. Like gifted kids, this can cause trouble at school.

Deep Interests and Flow

Children who are gifted may get excited about unique topics. They may also enjoy deep study of special interests or ask endless questions. When this happens, gifted kids may forget things like eating or sleeping.

Autistic children and children with attention issues or ADHD can also hyperfocus on certain topics.

Creative Problem-Solving Strategies and Low Tolerance for Repetition

Gifted children may complete tasks in unexpected ways or resist tasks they see as “busy work.” This is sometimes seen as being off-task or defiance.

Children with attention issues or ADHD may appear off-task or approach work differently. Children with anxiety or sensory differences can sometimes resist tasks that cause distress.

Emotional Intensity

Gifted kids may be seen as sensitive or have deep emotions from a young age. Some kids may have intense emotional reactions (anger, sadness, joy). Others may be deeply empathic or have a strong sense of justice.

Anxious children are sometimes labeled as emotionally sensitive. When children have more explosive emotions, they can sometimes be misidentified with mood disorders or ADHD.

Early Awareness

Gifted children can be more self-aware or show deep concern for life/death or global issues ahead of their peers. This early awareness is often tied into emotional sensitivity, putting gifted kids at risk for depression.

Anxious children can also have big worries about life/death or global issues.

Difficulties with Social Skills

Gifted kids may have trouble connecting with same-age peers because their interests or sense of humor can be so different. Some adults may also assume gifted kids are more mature based on intelligence. Meanwhile, that child’s social development may be on track with peers.

Autistic children and children with attention issues or ADHD can also struggle with social skills.

Perfectionism

Children who are gifted may struggle with the need to get things “just right” before moving on.

The need for perfectionism can also show up in autistic kids, children who are anxious or kids with attention issues or ADHD.

Profoundly Gifted Children

In addition to above, the Davidson Institute states that profoundly gifted children (scoring in the 99.9th percentile on IQ and achievement tests) may show the following characteristics:

Rapid comprehension

Intuitive understanding of the basics

Tendency toward complexity

Need for precision

High expectations

Divergent interests

Related Diagnoses

Some gifted kids may also have a disability diagnosis. These children are often called “twice-exceptional” or “2E” and may need an IEP or 504 plan to succeed in school. The most common diagnoses gifted kids have include ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety or learning disabilities (like dyslexia, dyscalculia or dysgraphia). While not as common in young children, adolescents and teens may also experience depression.

Back to the Gifted & 2E Resource Guide.