"If you banish the dragons, you banish the heroes--and we become attached to the heroic strain in our personal history. We choose our own lives. It is not simply that we decide on the behaviors that construct our experience; when given our druthers, we elect to be ourselves."
~ Far From the Tree: Parents, Children, and the Search for Identity, by Andrew Solomon
Supporting the Gifts of 2e and Multi-Exceptional Individuals
What is "Twice Exceptional"?
The term twice exceptional (or 2e) is used to describe individuals who present with unique talents and specific learning challenges. They are capable of achieving at very high levels, but their gifts may be overshadowed by learning and social-emotional challenges and carry diagnoses such as dyslexia, autism, and AD/HD. These challenges may make it difficult for them to express themselves and connect with others in expected ways.
How does Educational Therapy benefit 2e and multi-exceptional individuals?
Educational therapy aims to destigmatize learning and mental health disabilities by providing individuals a safe space to explore their learning gifts and perceived challenges. A primary goal is to help each individual apply those strengths for success, and embrace their unique experiences as part of what makes them special; in doing so, they develop the confidence to self-advocate and revise the assumption that they are disabled or impaired. Educational therapy benefits twice exceptional people by fostering creative problem-solving in the face of social-emotional and behavioral difficulties. While Eva holds clinical training, she does not ascribe to the medical model which treats these individuals as sick and in need of fixing, but approaches each as whole and resourceful.