Accommodating Twice-Exceptional Learner: A Case StudyPaper
Inclusive classrooms are those that accommodate for all special needs learners- those with learning disability/ies (LD) or those who are gifted (GL). In the 1997 curriculum reformation, Lebanon officially recognized one type of these learners-the LD. This recognition gave the LD community well-deserved help and the ability to be included in regular classroom settings, but nothing was done for the GL. In recent years, an interest in GL emerged in Lebanon. A few attempts, by some private schools, to accommodate GL occurred. However, these attempts did not include catering for twice-exceptional learners (2e): those who are gifted and have at least one learning disability. These 2e learners experience unique challenges that most schools and teachers are not equipped to tackle. This fact can cause these learners to experience anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and even behavioral problems.
This paper presents the plan developed for my 2e learner (Logan, his fake name) which addressed his interests. Logan was gifted in math, particularly numerical math, and had learning difficulties in reading and writing. As such, I prepared projects for Logan that utilized math skills through language arts. The projects helped Logan develop his talent in math while working on improving his writing skills.