this is what the BBC lists as a Twice Exceptional Child:
"Twice-exceptional students are gifted and talented students with learning, behavioral, or social impairments, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), specific learning disabilities (SLD), and attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These students are at significant risk in America’s schools because their disabilities often mask their academic potential. Twice-exceptional students are underrepresented in gifted and talented programs and rarely receive appropriate direct services in schools, which places these students at an academic and social disadvantage. For twice-exceptional students to flourish academically and socially, they must be appropriately identified and have access to programming opportunities that address both their gifts and their needs."
This does not fit Jonny. He does not have any learning, behavioral, or social impairments. He is 6-10 months younger than his classmates(example: Jonny will turn 8 in early August, 3rd grade starts mid-August. Most of his classmates are well into their 8th year and approaching 9 or are already 9.) He is, I believe, the youngest or second-youngest in his grade. When he was in preschool(4 years old, all the other kids were 5) and was reading for most of the school year...we struggled with putting him in what our district calls "JumpStart Kindergarten" which is kindergarten at a slower pace, so they get ready for the structure of class. Jonny's preschool teacher strongly suggested we put him in regular kindergarten, and after much deliberation, we decided to go for it.
When I say he is socially behind...I should explain that I mean that since he is so much younger than his classmates, he is not as mature as they are. he totally fits the social readiness of a 7 year old...but when you put him in a room full of 8.5 year olds, he seems very immature...because he is compared to them. That, along with the fact that he is 4 foot 9ish and 100 pounds of energy...People think he is older and expect him to act as such. He can't act older than a 7 year old, because that is what he is. Also, he is a very "out of the box" thinker, so he processes things differently.
Oh,and he was in the "talented and gifted" program at his school in kindergarten... He was hand selected to join, and it is rare for kindergarteners to be selected! He was booted out after 3 months because, and I quote, "Jonny requires too much one on one attention and work." uh...
He hasn't been asked to join again *eyeroll*