Being Twice Exceptional - by Melanie Hayes (Paperback)

About the Book

Autistic individuals can experience exceptional ability and exceptional challenges at the same time. This can be disorientating and make it difficult for family and professionals to provide understanding and support. This book defines the common experience of 'twice exceptionality' for adult autistics: what it is, how it manifests, and how skills and strengths can be used to help address areas of struggle or weakness.

Book Synopsis

Twice exceptionality (2e) is not well understood. While many parents, educators, and professionals are working to bridge the knowledge gap and help 2e children, there is still a great deal we do not know about how life turns out for those children once they grow up.

How do 2e adults deal with the complex aspects of being an adult? What are your prospects if you are brilliant, but can't get into college? What if you fail at work because you don't know how to fit in socially? This book provides first-hand stories about the experiences of 2e adults, offering compassionate coping strategies for overcoming and rethinking the tough parts. It champions radical acceptance of 2e people and celebrates their unique outlook on the world.

Review Quotes

Dr. Melanie Hayes' has translated her warmth, compassion, and expertise as an educator and clinician into a deeply respectful and enlightening book about understanding and embracing twice-exceptional adults with autism. She brings the complexities of being 2eA to life and offers sound advice, comfort, and a guide for living a meaningful life.

--Dan Peters, Ph.D, Licensed Psychologist Executive Director, Summit Center

There is a shortage of resources out there on twice-exceptionality, especially those relevant to twice exceptional adults. Much of what's out there focuses on achievement and becoming productive members of society, but ignores the social emotional and whole self of the 2E individual. Melanie has always focused on the well being and positive relationships for 2E folks. This book explores many aspects of living a good life as a 2eA person with stories based on real life experiences. She also takes the time to explore the intersectionality of other marginalized identities and how they affect who gets support, and who gets dismissed. Her work is a valuable asset both for changing the systems that don't support 2e needs, and helping those who are navigating those systems.

--Aurora Remember Holtzman, Embracing Intensity

Melanie Hayes is the ultimate guide for understanding twice-exceptionality. She has lived and breathed this journey, both as a parent, and as a twice-exceptional person herself. In her important new book, Being Twice Exceptional, Melanie generously sheds light on what it takes in order for these brilliant and complicated humans to truly thrive.--Debbie Reber, author, Differently Wired, founder Tilt Parenting

About the Author

Dr. Melanie Hayes focuses on helping gifted and 2e people find their niche and work to their strengths. She holds a Master's in gifted education, a Master's in marriage and family therapy, and a Doctorate in educational leadership with a focus on twice exceptionality. Her research and outreach over the past decade has been centred on building support and understanding for the 2e population. Dr. Hayes is also the founder of Big Minds, an educational model for 2e children that mentors and supports their intellectual, social, and emotional well-being.