Unlocking the Potential of Twice-Exceptional (2E) Students: From "Average" or "On Track" to Soaring Ahead

If you're the parent of a bright or gifted child whose reading scores are just "average" or "on track," you might be wondering what's going on.

In fact, your child may be what educators call twice-exceptional or 2E. These are students who are gifted in one or more areas — creatively, intellectually, or otherwise — but also face challenges such as dyslexia, ADHD, or other learning differences.

The result? A unique blend of strengths and struggles that often goes unnoticed in traditional classrooms.

From the mother of a student who was diagnosed with dyslexia and referred to Kids Up Reading Tutors by her testing psychologist: "I wanted to tell you that Genevieve, who worked with Katherine, got into the language-arts magnet school for next year. Thank you again for giving her the start she needed! I will probably still be thanking you when she gets into Harvard..."

Many 2E students fly under the radar. They may mask their reading difficulties with an advanced vocabulary, clever humor, or keen insights that impress adults. But behind the scenes, they may be working twice as hard as their peers just to keep up, battling frustration, self-doubt, or the quiet fear that they're not as capable as everyone thinks.

For high-achieving families, this can feel especially disorienting. You're used to solving problems, investing in solutions, and expecting results. When your child's school is telling you that your son or daughter is "only a little behind" or even "on track" in reading when you know they could and should be doing so much better, it's time to intervene.

Here's the good news: your child isn't "average" or even behind in reading because they're not smart enough. They probably just haven't been taught to read in a way that lines up with how their brain is wired and what they need to learn.

At Kids Up Reading Tutors, we specialize in working with students who have untapped potential — kids who are capable of much more than their current grades or test scores suggest. We use time-tested, research-backed methods rooted in the Orton-Gillingham approach, tailored to the needs of both dyslexic and non-dyslexic learners who struggle with reading and spelling. Our approach is individualized, structured, and compassionate — designed to help kids rebuild confidence and develop true literacy skills, step by step.

We work with kids and teens from elementary through high school — many of whom come from high-performing families where excellence is the norm. These students don't need to be pushed harder; they need to be taught differently. With the right support, they generally catch up pretty quickly.

If your student is bright yet struggling to read fluently, you may be raising a twice-exceptional learner. These gifted kids don't need more worksheets. They need expert instruction that takes advantage of their smarts to teach them the exact skills they need in order to become fluent readers and good spellers.

Because when a 2E student learns to read and write with confidence, they don't just catch up — they soar!

How Kids Up Reading Tutors Can Help

Kids Up Reading Tutors (formerly Kids Up Reading Coaches) specializes in helping students in grades 1-12 catch up to their peers in reading and spelling in months, not years. Our program includes:

• 1-on-1, evidence-based, high-intensity instruction

• 45- or 60-minute sessions tailored to the specific skills YOUR student needs

• Weekly progress updates, so you always know what your student is learning

• The convenience of Zoom, so you don't have to drive to a tutoring center or have a tutor in your house multiple evenings per week

Our Guarantee: Try it for a week. Love it, or it's on us!

If your bright student is struggling with reading, don't wait. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your child or teen become a fluent reader, a good speller, and a confident student!