Twice-Exceptional, Twice Stigmatized

Abstract

This chapter explores the discourse of average, the mindset of anti-asynchrony, and ableist language pertaining to twice-exceptionality, which describes individuals who are gifted and disabled. The author explains how ableist language, within the discourse of average, stigmatizes both disability and gifted populations, and is especially detrimental to the identity of twice-exceptional individuals. Additionally, twice-exceptional individuals experience asynchrony, which is in opposition to society's ideal average, to a greater extent than either gifted or disabled individuals. Ableist language and a culture intolerant of asynchrony leads to the stigmatization of twice-exceptional individuals and a hyper focus on their areas of challenge while ignoring areas of strengths. This results in low self-esteem and a lack of talent development. The chapter concludes with a discussion on how ableism might be counteracted using fluid conceptions of identity and the neurodiversity framework.