TPP 86a: Dr. Mike Postma on the Plight of Gifted & 2e (Twice Exceptional) Children
Digest
This podcast features Dr. Michael Posma, Executive Director of SENG, discussing the complexities of gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) students. Dr. Posma shares his personal journey with ADD and Asperger's, highlighting the social-emotional challenges faced by these individuals. The conversation delves into the historical lack of understanding and support for 2e learners, the importance of "holistic development" that nurtures social-emotional skills alongside academics, and the slow progress in educational systems. Challenges in identifying and supporting 2e students, the scarcity of suitable school options, and the need for individualized approaches are discussed. The episode also touches upon funding issues for specialized schools and accessibility for families in different regions. Dr. Posma introduces his book, "The Inconvenient Student," aimed at assisting parents and teachers. The discussion advocates for revitalizing education systems to be more individualized and holistic. SENG's mission to support the emotional and social needs of gifted individuals is detailed, along with resources like SENG Connect. The podcast emphasizes that giftedness is a special need, often accompanied by heightened intensity and vulnerability to existential depression, and stresses the importance of coping mechanisms. Finally, advice is given to parents to be strong advocates for their children, understand their unique profiles, and build alliances within schools.
Outlines
Introduction to Gifted and Twice-Exceptional (2e) Students
Debbie Rieber introduces Dr. Michael Posma, Executive Director of SENG, to discuss gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) students, highlighting Dr. Posma's personal experiences with ADD and Asperger's and his motivation to work in gifted education. The early educational landscape for 2e students in the 70s and 80s is contrasted with the current understanding, emphasizing the need for holistic development that addresses social-emotional needs alongside academics.
Educational Challenges and Solutions for 2e Learners
This section addresses the slow progress in understanding 2e students, the lack of adequate teacher training and identification tools, and the scarcity of appropriate school options, often leading parents to consider homeschooling. Funding challenges for specialized schools and accessibility issues for families in underserved areas are also discussed. Dr. Posma introduces his book, "The Inconvenient Student," which offers strategies for parents and teachers.
Revitalizing Education and SENG's Role
The need to reform educational systems from a curriculum-heavy model to more individualized and holistic approaches is explored. Dr. Posma details SENG's mission to support the emotional and social needs of gifted individuals, outlining resources like conferences and online groups (SENG Connect). Giftedness is framed as a special need requiring emotional and mental support due to heightened intensity, with a discussion on existential depression and coping mechanisms.
Community Support and Advocacy for 2e Students
Practical advice is provided for parents and advocates, emphasizing the importance of being the primary advocate, understanding a child's strengths and weaknesses, and finding allies within the school system. Information is shared on how parents can connect with SENG to start or join parent-led groups, both in-person and online through SENG Connect, fostering a supportive community.
Keywords
Twice-Exceptional (2e) Students
Students who are identified as gifted and also have a disability (e.g., ADHD, autism, learning disability), presenting unique educational challenges due to co-occurring high ability and specific learning needs.
Holistic Development
An educational approach focusing on the whole person, including intellectual, emotional, social, and physical aspects, not just academic achievement, crucial for 2e learners' well-being.
Asynchronous Development
A developmental pattern where abilities are unevenly distributed; advanced in some areas (e.g., intellect) while delayed in others (e.g., emotional regulation or social skills), common in gifted and 2e individuals.
SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted)
An organization dedicated to supporting the social and emotional needs of gifted individuals and their families, providing resources, education, and community.
Existential Depression
A form of depression often experienced by gifted individuals due to a deep awareness of the world's complexities and their place within it, requiring specific coping mechanisms.
Sensory Processing
The neurological process of organizing sensory information; gifted and 2e individuals may have heightened sensory sensitivities impacting their interaction with the environment.
The Inconvenient Student
Dr. Posma's book offering introductory insights and strategies for parents and teachers to understand and support twice-exceptional learners.
Q&A
What does "holistic development" mean in the context of twice-exceptional (2e) learners?
Holistic development means nurturing all aspects of a child, including their social-emotional skills, executive functioning, and emotional regulation, alongside their academic strengths. This approach recognizes that a child's well-being and ability to reach their potential are interconnected.
Why is giftedness considered a "special need"?
Giftedness is considered a special need because these individuals often experience the world with heightened intensity, leading to unique social-emotional challenges, anxieties, and a need for specific support systems that go beyond standard academic acceleration.
What is SENG, and what is its primary mission?
SENG stands for Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted. Its mission is to empower families and communities to guide gifted and talented individuals toward reaching their full potential intellectually, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
What are some practical strategies for supporting 2e students in a school setting?
Strategies include providing extra time for tests, offering "limbic breaks" for emotional regulation, allowing flexible transitions to avoid crowds, and fostering empathy among educators. Recognizing that challenges are often brain-function related, not behavioral issues.
What is the main message of Dr. Posma's book, "The Inconvenient Student"?
The book aims to help teachers and parents understand and support twice-exceptional students, who are often seen as "inconvenient" due to their unique needs. It provides introductory strategies and insights for navigating educational challenges.
How can parents find support if their local community lacks resources for gifted or 2e children?
Parents can connect with SENG to find facilitators for local groups or utilize SENG Connect, an online portal offering virtual support groups, forums, and resources for connecting with other parents and experts globally.
Show Notes
Dr. Mike Postma joins me for a personal conversation about the many challenges facing gifted and 2e / twice-exceptional students, especially social and emotional challenges, and this is one of those episodes that just might leave you feeling pensive, concerned, and ignited all at the same time.
About Dr. Mike Postma
Dr. Michael Postma is an educator, author, speaker, coach and consultant dedicated to the holistic development of the gifted/twice-exceptional (2e) community. Over the last two decades, Dr. Postma has served as a gifted teacher in the classroom, as an administrator and leader of gifted schools – both public and charter schools in multiple states, and was the architect of the Minnetonka Navigator Program, a magnet school in Minnesota specifically designed for highly gifted and twice-exceptional students.
He currently is the President and co-founder of Gifted and Thriving, LLC and the Programming Director for the non-profit SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted) organization.
Dr. Postma has published a number of articles and two books, the latest titled The Inconvenient Student: Critical Issues in the Identification and Education of Twice-Exceptional Students. He travels and speaks nationally and internationally on a variety of topics such as: the social/emotional development of the gifted, understanding twice-exceptional learners, gifted/talented programming, neuroscience and the gifted/2e brain and more.
Things you’ll learn from this episode
- Mike Postma’s personal story of growing up a gifted and 2e kid with
very little support in a time when many neurodifferences weren’t
recognized or understood
- What “holistic development” means in the context of children, especially twice-exceptional children
- Why Mike says social emotional development has to be one of the foundations for academic and intellectual potential
- Where society is with regards to understanding asynchronous development
- How schools can make small accommodations to make school more successful for gifted and 2e students
- Why Mike wrote his book The Inconvenient Student and what he hopes it does in the world
- Mike thoughts on how the educational system needs to be revamped
- Why Mike says 2e people are among the most vulnerable populations
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