For many, the terms learning disabilities and giftedness are at opposite ends of a learning spectrum. Uneasiness in accepting this seeming contradiction in terms stems primarily from faulty ideas and incomplete understandings of each term. Simply put, the gifted, learning disabled student is a child who exhibits remarkable talents or strengths in some areas and disabling weaknesses in others.
—Baum, Owen & Dixon 1991, To Be Gifted and Learning Disabled
The conditions of giftedness and a disabling condition are not mutually exclusive. This week we will look for ways of identifying these “dually diagnosed” students and explore promising practices in the education of these exceptional students.