Twice Exceptional

I took Michael to the Northern California Department of Education Diagnostic Center in Fremont California yesterday for a long awaited appointment to be seen by a panel of doctors and specialists. Michael's educational team wrote a letter to this state run organization asking for their help as they've suspected for some time now that he may be "twice exceptional". The diagnostic center specializes in testing for high IQ in children that also have learning disabilities. I feel very lucky that Michael was choosen as they only see a handful of children in 300 schools throughout the Northern California school district each year.

Michael and I arrived at 8:15 in the morning and were greeted by the team made up of doctors a psychologists and a speech and language pathologist. It was a long day and we did not finish up until after 4:00 p.m. but the news was spectacular. Michael it turns out, is gifted despite his laundry list of learning challenges. He has a scientific mind which operates well beyond his years. One of the tests that they administered was asking Michael to make an oragami crane by simply looking at the folds of one that had been completely taken apart. Behind the one way mirror, I watched as he did it perfectly and in nothing flat. The oragami crane is very difficult... they said. They stated that most adults with detailed instructions would not get it right and so quickly. There were many other interesting tests administered both written and verbal and at the end of the day the team told me that Michael was indeed gifted and needed to have his gifts nurtured and fostered. They are putting together a recommendation for the school district which will provide the appropriate support for his disabilities and avenues through which he can fully recognize his gifts.