Discovering and Assessing Gifted and Twice Exceptional Kids

$25.00 — 1.25 Credits

SKU: B3949-A26 Category:
Audio Course · Asynchronous, self-paced 1.25 CE Credits

Discovering and Assessing Gifted and Twice Exceptional Kids

Difficulty: Intermediate

Description

Twice-exceptional (2e) clients — those who are intellectually gifted while also living with a co-occurring neurodevelopmental condition such as ADHD, autism, or a specific learning disorder — are among the most frequently misunderstood populations in clinical assessment. Their cognitive strengths often mask genuine areas of difficulty, producing missed or delayed diagnoses, while those same difficulties can obscure exceptional ability that goes unrecognized and unsupported.

This 1.25-hour course, drawn from a clinical interview with neuropsychologist Dr. Megan Hellman on the Testing Psychologist Podcast, introduces mental health professionals to the conceptual and practical foundations of 2e assessment. Participants will examine how giftedness is defined both quantitatively and qualitatively, how frameworks such as Dabrowski’s overexcitabilities and the Highly Sensitive Person construct relate to giftedness — and where their empirical support is limited — and how cognitive strengths can compensate for and conceal co-occurring conditions during standardized testing. Particular emphasis is placed on a process-oriented, story-driven assessment approach: attending to how a client arrives at a score rather than the score alone, distinguishing clinical needs from preferences, and recognizing the subtle discrepancy patterns that signal autism or learning disorders within high-ability profiles. The material reflects a blend of contemporary research and experienced clinical judgment, with explicit attention to the boundaries of the current evidence base.

NAADAC Online CE Completion limits: There is a limit of 8 hours (8 CE) of credit for online courses within a 24-hour period.

Click here to view our policy on Fees, Refunds, and Cancellations 

The course will be available in your account immediately after purchase. The Course Completion Certificate and Letter of Completion will be immediately available in your account upon successful completion of the course post-test (a score of 80% or higher) and completion of the course evaluation. You will have unlimited attempts to pass the post-test.

Do you have questions about this course? Do you require accessibility accommodations? Please visit our FAQ page or Contact Us and we'll be happy to help.

Course Details

Credits
1.25
Course Format
Recorded audio, asynchronous, distance-learning, non-interactive, includes transcript.
Target Audience
Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors, Social Workers, Nurses, Case Managers
CE Credit Type / Category
Clinical, Diagnosis and Treatment, Testing, Counseling, Assessment
Course Level
Intermediate
Conflict of Interest
None reported
Publication Date
June 30, 2026
Last Modified
July 9, 2026

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the quantitative and qualitative features that define twice-exceptionality (2e), including intellectual giftedness, co-occurring developmental disability, and the concept of asynchronous development.
  • Explain how cognitive strengths in gifted clients can mask or compensate for co-occurring ADHD, autism, or specific learning disorders during standardized assessment, and why average scores may not reflect average day-to-day functioning.
  • Apply qualitative, process-based observation strategies — attending to how a client reaches a score rather than the score alone — when conducting diagnostic interviews and cognitive testing with gifted and 2e clients.
  • Differentiate clinically significant needs from preferences (e.g., sensory features) when distinguishing giftedness-related intensity from an autism presentation in a 2e profile.

CE Approvals

At Health has been an approved continuing education provider for mental health professionals since 2001 — more than two decades of supporting psychologists, counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists, and addiction professionals through online, self-paced CE.

American Psychological Association (APA)

At Health, LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. At Health, LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)

At Health, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6949. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. At Health, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

NAADAC – The Association for Addiction Professionals

Athealth.com is approved as a continuing education provider by the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, the Association for Addiction Professionals. #148460.

Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)

At Health, LLC, Provider #1707, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 5/3/2023–5/3/2026.

State-Specific Approvals

It is At Health’s understanding that these programs meet the criteria of an approved continuing education program for social work in Arkansas. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit.

It is At Health’s understanding that these programs meet the criteria of an approved continuing education program for social workers, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, master’s level psychologists, licensed clinical psychotherapists, and alcohol and other drug abuse counselors in Kansas. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit.

It is At Health’s understanding that these programs meet the criteria of an approved continuing education program for mental health practice and for social work in Nebraska. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit.

It is At Health’s understanding that these programs meet the criteria of an approved continuing education program for psychologists, pastoral psychotherapists, clinical social workers, clinical mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and alcohol and drug abuse counselors in New Hampshire. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit.

It is At Health’s understanding that these programs meet the criteria of an approved continuing education program for social workers, professional counselors, marital and family therapists, and clinical pastoral therapists in Tennessee. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit.

Other jurisdictions may accept trainings offered by At Health, LLC for your continuing education requirements. Restrictions may apply. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit.

Page last modified or reviewed by athealth.com on Jul 9, 2026.

Author Bio

In her early work with autistic children and their families, Dr. Helmen became increasingly aware of how difficult and disorienting the diagnostic process could be. This awareness shaped her professional mission: to provide a more informed, compassionate, and empowering introduction to neurodevelopmental understanding. Dr. Helmen’s approach combines clinical expertise and research-backed strategies with genuine connection and a sense of humor. After more than a decade of clinical practice within medical systems, she founded Developmental Discoveries to offer a more humanized and family-centered model of service. The practice is built on ensuring that children feel welcomed and understood, while caregivers gain meaningful insight into their child’s strengths, struggles, and opportunities for growth.

Jeremy Sharp is a licensed psychologist and the Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that he founded in 2009 and has grown to over 20 clinicians. Dr. Sharp earned his undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting his Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, he specializes in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents.

As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, Dr. Sharp provides private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. He lives in Fort Collins, Colorado with his wife (also a therapist) and two young kids.

 

 

 

Instructors

Jeremy Sharp, PhD

Megan Helman,

Megan Helman, PsyD, LP

In her early work with autistic children and their families, Dr. Helmen became increasingly aware of how difficult and disorienting the diagnostic process could be. This awareness shaped her professional mission: to provide a more informed, compassionate, and empowering introduction to neurodevelopmental understanding. Dr. Helmen’s approach combines clinical expertise and research-backed strategies with genuine connection and a sense of humor. After more than a decade of clinical practice within medical systems, she founded Developmental Discoveries to offer a more humanized and family-centered model of service. The practice is built on ensuring that children feel welcomed and understood, while caregivers gain meaningful insight into their child’s strengths, struggles, and opportunities for growth.

 

Reviews

System Requirements

To access and complete this course, your device must meet the following minimum requirements:

  • Browser: A modern web browser (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Apple Safari — current or one version prior). Internet Explorer is not supported.
  • JavaScript: JavaScript must be enabled in your browser settings to navigate lessons, take quizzes, and access course materials.
  • PDF Viewer: A PDF viewer is required to open course handouts, transcripts, and certificates. Most browsers include a built-in PDF viewer; alternatively, Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) can be used.
  • Cookies: Cookies must be enabled to maintain your login session and save your course progress.
  • Internet Connection: A stable internet connection is required. Video and audio courses may require higher bandwidth for smooth playback.

If you experience technical difficulties, please contact our support team for assistance.

$25.00 1.25 CE Credits
Add to Cart
Shopping Cart
Scroll to Top