INTERVIEWS WITH EXPERTS, AN ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON TWICE EXCEPTIONALITY

Abstract

Twice Exceptionality (2e) is a complex and paradoxical condition in which an individual may simultaneously present Giftedness combined with condition, disability, or disorder, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which was selected as the subtype for this study due to its higher prevalence. Executive Functions, as higher-order cognitive processes, are essential for both simple and complex daily activities such as learning, and are typically found to be impaired in children with ADHD. Based on this premise, the study sought to gather the perspectives of experts in the field in order to design an intervention aimed at strengthening this area. For this purpose, five specialists from Chile, the United States, Puerto Rico, and Brazil were interviewed, including Dr. Susan Baum, a pioneer in the field. The interviews were semi structured and conducted online. Subsequently, the information was analyzed through thematic categories using Atlas.ti software. The findings revealed that the Executive Functions to reinforcement were working memory, planning, and inhibition. Consequently, an intervention based on “Dual Differentiation” was suggested, which considers both the enhancement of strengths and the remediation of deficits, while also addressing socio-emotional aspects characteristic of these children, including impulsivity and emotional intensity.