Did you know that twice-exceptional (2E) students — those who are both gifted AND neurodivergent — are among the most overlooked in our education system? I know because I was one of them.
I was admitted into the MDCPS GATE program in 1992 upon the inception of Plan B & saw the program grow from its infancy to 12.6% of the total student population, a 355% increase over the past 3 decades (see chart in References below) — far exceeding the estimated 3-6% of truly gifted individuals in the general population. The numbers don’t add up. And while 2E students are estimated to make up 2-5% of the population, their data is nowhere to be found — raising serious questions about why so many students have been admitted into the program, whether they are even being properly identified and served.
At age 7, school testing revealed a significant gap between my Verbal and Performance IQ scores. Although my Performance IQ fell within the Superior range, my Verbal IQ was “average.” The school psychologist noted it should be investigated further— a red flag that was never followed up on. Instead of receiving the support I was legally entitled to, I was placed into the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program. Looking back now, I’m only left with questions about some of the testing and “curriculum” I was subjected to during GATE in grade school. Why do I have a separate Case # besides my Student ID? 🤔
There should have been a continued focus on my talents, gifted in music, math and coding. When I transitioned out of Joe Hall Elementary, something changed. The program shifted — more rigorous academically, with a lack of the social/emotional component. I started to struggle without understanding why. I excelled in some areas while falling behind in others. When I had noticeable issues, I was just told to “try harder” — and eventually removed from the program without reevaluation or proper documentation as per statute, left without answers or support. G. Holmes Braddock Sr High, was the largest high school within the largest school district in the US at that time. Class sizes were over state mandated regulation. Absolute lack of control. It felt like a prison with a sea full of people.
In 2024, I discovered something that changed my perception of life as I knew it. After going through the Early Steps process for my son’s developmental delay, his therapist explained the concept Twice Exceptional (2E) — gifted and neurodivergent. Neurodivergent simply means that the brain works differently from what is considered typical — whether through ASD, ADHD, or other neurodevelopmental differences. Those who are 2E exhibit giftedness alongside one of these differences, and when left unrecognized, it becomes truly disabling. For me, it was overlooked for over 30 years. A diagnosis that should have come decades ago, one that would have changed everything.
Since discovering this, I’ve been fighting for accountability and abolishment of Plan B Gifted Eligibility — filing formal complaints with federal agencies including the Department of Education and Office of Civil Rights. The process has been exhausting and deeply personal.
Plan B was implemented to include underrepresented students with low socio-economic status and/or English language learners in the GATE program. It appears they overlooked low verbal scores at the time & attributed it to Hispanics being Spanish speakers. They should’ve known I was born in the US. My parents were Cuban exiles who fortunately came to this country at a very young age & attended school here. They ONLY spoke English in our household. As a matter of fact, my grades clearly exhibit that Spanish was the class I did worst in. I was discriminated because of national origin & my low verbal scores were overlooked due to racial stereotypes.
Your generosity supports this mission on every level — from the everyday dedication it takes to keep this work alive, to the bigger vision of establishing a nonprofit that gives neurodivergent individuals the advocacy we deserve. Twice exceptionality is not a foreign concept, in fact it has been discussed for decades with no resolutions!!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
References
https://oppaga.fl.gov/Documents/Reports/95-45.pdf
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7567/urlt/stategiftedplan.pdf
https://arda.dadeschools.net/#!/fullWidth/2102
