Author: Melissa Sornik, LCSW

Melissa Sornik, LCSW

Melissa Sornik, LCSW is the co-founder and president of Twice Exceptional Children’s Advocacy (TECA) and maintains a private practice, Melissa Sornik, LCSW PLLC, specializing in services for gifted and twice exceptional individuals and their families. She would like to thank Wendy J. Eisner, Ph.D. with whom she co-founded TECA for her editorial feedback. This article was first published in the Long Island Parent Magazine, October/November 2011.

Twice-Exceptionality/Nontraditional

Gifted and Underachieving…The Twice Exceptional Learner

Twice-exceptional (2e) learners combine high ability with learning, emotional, or developmental challenges that often mask each other, causing underachievement. Identification requires recognizing strengths alongside difficulties. Support should focus on enrichment, targeted accommodations, and developing executive and social-emotional skills while parents advocate and foster self-advocacy.

Melissa Sornik, LCSW December 28, 2011