Twice-Exceptional (2E) Assessments
what does Twice exceptional (2E) really mean?:
Twice-exceptionality isn’t a diagnosis, but a framework used to describe children who show advanced abilities alongside areas of struggle. Some may have gifted cognitive strengths and also experience ADHD, learning differences, anxiety, or emotional sensitivities. The “exceptional” part refers to both ends of the developmental spectrum, with strengths and challenges showing up together in one profile.
At Child and Teen Solutions, we appreciate the complexity behind 2E, even though we do not use it as a formal label. We focus instead on each child’s developmental story, translating big abilities and hard-to-pin-down struggles into meaningful insights that can guide support.
what might prompt a family to explore 2e?:
Advanced verbal skills or deep thinking alongside difficulty with writing, focus, or organization
Emotional intensity or frequent overstimulation
High creativity or intellectual curiosity paired with inconsistent academic performance
Sensitivity to social dynamics and challenges navigating friendships or group settings
Uneven development, where some areas feel far ahead and others lag behind
what happens in an assessment?:
We begin by listening: Gathering your child’s story through intake conversations, observations, and standardized testing that highlights patterns across cognition, behavior, and emotional functioning.
Our team looks for where strengths shine, where a child might feel stuck, and how those pieces connect. We don’t assume anything based on labels or scores. We interpret data with care, always considering developmental context.
The outcome yields a thoughtful, integrated profile that helps parents understand what's really happening, and what kinds of supports might help their child feel more confident, regulated, and understood.
How can I learn more about the process?
We share additional information on our Evaluation Overview and Why Work With Us pages. If your child is between the ages of 3 and 6, we offer more specifics about how we work with this age group. Our Client Care Coordinator is also available to answer any questions you may have about services. Fill out our contact form to get in touch.
Child and Teen Solutions (CATS) is a mental health clinic based in Seattle, Washington. We are staffed by psychologists and therapists who specialize in children, teens, young adults, and parent coaching. We offer treatment and evaluation services. We offer both in-person and telehealth services for therapy. Our office is located in the Madison Park neighborhood, near Lake Washington.