Our Parenting Journey with A Neurodivergent 2E Kid
Hello!
Welcome to, "As We Go," a place that I needed and couldn't find, so I'm trying to build.
I'm Helen, and the mom of an 8 year old who was just diagnosed as a
"Twice Exceptional" or "2E" kid
paired with severe anxiety and ADHD.
Most importantly, I need you to know that I am a professional designer and strategic communications consultant.
I am not a therapist, doctor, counselor, or educator.
Parenting has been a wild, wild ride for us, so I'm just trying to share anything I can along the way. I don't believe that the suggestions I'm making are "right" or "best." I'm only sharing them in hopes that they help you find your own if you don't know where to start.
You can reach me
here.
How To Explain and Understand The Term "2E" for Adults
The term 2E literally means "Twice Exceptional." What it means for our kid is that he has an exceptionally high level of intelligence (his "gift"), matched with an exceptional learning disability (his "struggle"). In my kid's case, his struggles are ADHD and severe anxiety.
Essentially, 2E kids are geniuses who can't do simple tasks without great stress, and the discrepancy between their intellect and their executive functions causes them really intense trouble, pain, anxiety, anger, fear, etc.
How We Explained The Term "2E" to Our Kid
Our doctor recommended that we help our kid understand how his brain works so that he can have compassion for himself and for other kids.
He's a visual learner, so I drew a line on a paper for him to see where his intelligence line is (>99%) vs where his executive functioning is (<1%). We talked about how the space between is what we want to help support, and why things can feel so hard. In his own words, the space between is why it feels like "a nuke bomb" is going off in his brain.
COMING SOON:
IEPs and 504 Plans and How To Start
Our Experience With Therapy
Tips That Have Actually Helped Us
Stuff That Has Actually Helped Us
Why a Diagnosis Helps and Why it Doesn't
Why We Are Privileged To Get a Diagnosis
Stories from Parents of 2E Kids
