Between 20,000 and 30,000 students in Quebec may be twice-exceptional: gifted, and living with a learning disability or ADHD. Yet the gifted child who struggles is still too often seen as lazy, disruptive or oppositional. A neuropsychological assessment can distinguish giftedness from an associated disorder — and prevent years of misunderstanding.
Key takeaways
- •Giftedness refers to remarkable aptitudes — historically an IQ of 130 and above, two standard deviations above the average — and is now recognized through several profiles.
- •Two profiles stand out: homogeneous (laminar), with little marked difficulty adapting, and heterogeneous (complex), where a wide gap separates strengths from difficulties.
- •A gifted child’s development does not follow that of same-age children: this gap can lead to isolation and school failure despite superior intelligence.
- •Twice-exceptionality affects an estimated 2% to 5% of gifted people, or 20,000 to 30,000 students in Quebec.
- •Assessment measures IQ, motivation, creativity and cognitive profile, and distinguishes giftedness from an associated disorder such as dyslexia or ADHD.
What is giftedness?
Giftedness, or high potential, historically only referred to an intelligence quotient (IQ), usually 130 and above (1). Today, it is accepted to consider the existence of several gifted profiles, thus responding to different intelligence skills and to the different factors that may contribute to them.
Among the explanatory models of giftedness, Renzulli (2005), for example, proposes a three-factor model involving creativity, skills and commitment in the expression of giftedness. Giftedness is therefore a concept that can vary depending on the time and culture (2). Françoys Gagné (2003) proposes that a gifted person must show remarkable aptitudes in at least one skill area placing the individual at least among the top 10% of his age. A gifted child or adult is therefore significantly different from the norm.
The different profiles of giftedness
According to Olivier Revol, child psychiatrist (3), two profiles stand out among gifted individuals. Those with a homogeneous (laminar) profile show little or no difficulty adapting to their environment. Those with a heterogeneous (complex) profile may experience a significant discrepancy between their strengths and significant difficulties, such as learning or motor disorders.
Twice-exceptionality: when giftedness coexists with a disorder
Twice-exceptionality (2e) describes a person who is both gifted and living with a neurodevelopmental or learning disorder. An estimated 2% to 5% of gifted people are in this situation, which would represent 20,000 to 30,000 students in Quebec (4)(5). This profile is particularly difficult to identify, because the two realities can mask each other: the child compensates for difficulties with strengths, or the reverse. This is why an assessment that measures both intellectual potential and cognitive functions is necessary to reach the right diagnosis. [Approximately 150 giftedness files assessed yearly at Centres Neuropsy, half of them for twice-exceptionality.]
Common signs and symptoms
- Highly curious
- Keen sense of humor
- Hypersensitivity
- Questions broad societal ideas
- Early language development
- Solitary
- Exceptional memory
- Strong and early interest in a particular field
- Creative
- Difficulty following certain rules
- Endless energy
- Great sustained attention
The gap and its consequences
Since their mental and neurological development are not in line with children of the same age, this can lead to an inability to thrive in their environment (1). These children thus find themselves failing and isolated, despite their superior intelligence.
Assessment and intervention
The giftedness assessment will be done to the extent that the child or adult experiences difficulties adjusting at school, at home, with friends or at work. The neuropsychologist will first assess the IQ, which is intellectual potential. However, he will carefully consider developmental and family history.
Motivation, creativity and cognitive profile will also be assessed. The neuropsychologist will also make sure to investigate the presence or absence of an associated disorder such as dyslexia or ADD/HD in order to be able to offer the best diagnosis to the individual and thus allow him to obtain the necessary adaptations.
Think your child may be gifted?
The Centres Neuropsy team assesses the cognitive profile of children, adolescents and adults, and distinguishes giftedness from an associated disorder such as dyslexia or ADHD.
Discover our assessmentsFrequently asked questions
What is giftedness?
Giftedness, or high potential, refers to remarkable aptitudes in one or more areas. It was long reduced to an IQ of 130 and above, two standard deviations above the average. Several profiles of giftedness are now recognized, varying by era, culture and areas of ability.
What are the signs of giftedness in a child?
Strong curiosity, keen sense of humor, hypersensitivity, early language development, exceptional memory, creativity, a strong and early interest in one field, endless energy or great sustained attention. No single sign is sufficient on its own: it is their combination and impact on daily life that justify an assessment.
Is giftedness a form of autism?
No. Giftedness is not a form of autism and does not belong to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is a neurodevelopmental disorder. The two can, however, coexist in the same person. Some behaviours look alike — intense interests, hypersensitivity, difficulty with social integration — which explains the confusion and makes a differential assessment relevant.
What does giftedness look like in adults?
Giftedness persists throughout life: it does not disappear at the end of childhood. Many adults only discover it through a neuropsychological assessment, often prompted by difficulties in a child suspected of the same reality. Assessment is warranted when the person experiences difficulties adjusting at school, at home, with friends or at work.
What IQ is associated with giftedness?
The historical threshold is 130, two standard deviations above the average. This figure is no longer the only criterion: current models consider creativity, commitment to the task and demonstrated aptitudes, and recognize several profiles of giftedness.
What is twice-exceptionality?
It is being both gifted and living with a neurodevelopmental or learning disorder (dyslexia, ADHD, ASD). An estimated 2% to 5% of gifted people are in this situation, or 20,000 to 30,000 students in Quebec. This profile is difficult to identify because the two realities can mask each other.
References
1. Doucet, Carine. Giftedness. Detect, understand and support. AQNP. [Online] [Citation: April 14, 2020.]
2. Richard, J. F. Giftedness and talents at school. Order of Psychologists of Quebec. [Online] 2017.
3. AQD. Giftedness. [Online] 2019.
4. Association québécoise des neuropsychologues (AQNP). Giftedness and twice-exceptionality. [Online] 2021. https://aqnp.ca/douance-double-exceptionnalite/
5. Centre intégré de développement de la douance et du talent (CIDDT). Twice-exceptionality. [Online]. https://ciddt.ca/double-exceptionnalite/
