How to Spot Giftedness in a Neurodivergent Child

Giftedness and neurodivergence can look weirdly similar—so similar, in fact, that kids often get misdiagnosed, misunderstood, or completely overlooked. If your child is blowing through books one minute and melting down the next, welcome to the complex world of 2e—twice-exceptional kids.

Here’s your no-fluff, quick-start guide to spotting giftedness in a neurodivergent child and knowing when to raise your hand and say, “Hey, my kid’s brain works differently—and brilliantly.”

🚩 Signs of Giftedness in a Neurodivergent Child

Not all gifted kids are well-behaved, straight-A, violin-playing prodigies. Some are masking, struggling, or getting labeled as “behavior problems” when really, their brains are running laps around the curriculum and tripping over sensory input.

Look for signs like:

• Intense curiosity (about everything from dinosaurs to death)

• Advanced vocabulary but inconsistent academic performance

• Hyperfocus on special interests (hello, niche obsession with ancient Egypt)

• Emotional intensity that goes zero to meltdown real quick

• Sensitivity to textures, noises, or even emotional atmospheres

• Asynchronous development (a 9-year-old who debates like a lawyer but can’t tie their shoes)

• Creative problem-solving or wild imagination

🧠 What “Twice-Exceptional” (2e) Really Means

A 2e child is both gifted and has a disability or neurodevelopmental diagnosis like:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

• ADHD

• Dyslexia or other learning disabilities

• Anxiety disorders

• Sensory Processing Disorder

These kids are often under-identified or misunderstood—because their strengths mask their struggles, or vice versa.

✅ What To Do Next

If you're seeing signs of giftedness in your neurodivergent child:

1. Get a comprehensive evaluation: Ask for a neuropsychological or psychoeducational evaluation that screens for both learning differences and cognitive strengths. Many kids fly under the radar because only one side of the brain gets tested.

2. Advocate for a 2e-informed approach at school: This might mean a mix of gifted enrichment + IEP or 504 accommodations. It’s not one or the other—it’s both.

3. Validate their experience: Being brilliant and struggling is confusing AF for a kid. Help them name it, normalize it, and nurture both their superpowers and their soft spots.

4. Find professionals who get it: Therapists, evaluators, and teachers who understand 2e kids are golden. Ask directly about their experience with gifted + neurodivergent learners.

The Takeaway

Your kid isn’t “too smart to struggle” or “too quirky to be gifted.” They’re both. And they need people in their corner who understand the full picture.

💚 Need help figuring out if your child is twice exceptional? We specialize in testing that sees the whole child.

📞 Call or text: 614-470-4466

📧 Email: admin@achievepsychology.org

🌐 Visit: www.achievepsychology.org

Works Cited:

1. Silverman, L. K. (2013). Giftedness 101.

2. Webb, J. T., et al. (2016). Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults.

3. National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC). (2023). Twice-Exceptional Learners.

4. SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted). (2023). 2e Resources for Parents.

5. Assouline, S. G., et al. (2010). Developing Academic Acceleration Policies.