Bright Not Broken: Gifted Kids, ADHD, and Autism. Why Twice-Exceptional Kids Are Stuck and How to Help Them

Bright, talented children diagnosed with developmental or learning disorders are known as "Twice Exceptional" (or 2e). Because giftedness and disability often mask one another, many 2e kids aren't identified by our current mental health and educational systems; and as a result they don't receive the therapies or special educational services that can minimise their challenges and build on their talents.

Bright Not Broken sheds new light on this vibrant population by identifying who twice exceptional children are and taking an unflinching look at why they’re stuck. The first work to boldly examine the widespread misdiagnosis and controversies that arise from our current diagnostic system, it serves as a wake-up call for parents and professionals to question why our mental health and education systems are failing our brightest children.

Most importantly, the authors show what we can do to help 2e children, providing a whole child model for parents and educators to strengthen and develop a child’s innate gifts while also intervening to support the deficits. Drawing on painstaking research and personal experience, Bright Not Broken offers groundbreaking insight and practical strategies to those seeking to help 2e kids achieve their full potential.

Despite their giftedness, 2e children often underachieve, drop out, and have poor life outcomes. Bright Not Broken offers parents and professionals proven alternatives for identifying and supporting 2e children. This revolutionary book will resonate with parents and teachers everywhere, showing that there is hope for bright children who have been misunderstood and misdiagnosed.

Table of Contents

About the Authors ix

Authors’ Note xi

Preface xiii - Temple Grandin

Introduction xv - Diane M. Kennedy and Rebecca S. Banks

Part I: Who They Are

1. Twice Exceptional: A Nontraditional View of Giftedness 3
2. Recognizing 2e: A Confusing Mix of Abilities and Challenges 17
3. 2e, ADHD, and Labels: Misunderstanding Behaviors and Missing Deficits 37
4. Autism and 2e: A Better Understanding of Deficits and Behaviors 57

Part II: Why They’re Stuck

5. A Layman’s Guide to the DSM: The Flawed System That Traps Our Children 81
6. Fact or Fallacy: Questioning the Validity of the ADHD Diagnosis 101
7. Misunderstanding the Spectrum of Autism: An Important ‘‘e’’ in 2e 119
8. 2e Students and Education: Too Bright, Too Broken 139

Part III: How to Help Them

9. Diagnosing the Whole Child: Identifying Abilities and Minimizing Deficits 165
10. Educating the Whole Child: Nurturing Abilities and Supporting Challenges 183

Conclusion: Ensuring the Best Future for Our Brightest Minds 209

Additional Resources 219

Notes 225

Acknowledgments 261

Index 267

"This book is truly inspiring and it shows that by simply changing our perception of these children, and then the testing and education that stems from that perception, we can help them become successful, contributing adults."
- psychcentral.com, March 13th, 2012