Resource teachers of learning and behaviour (RTLB) support for twice exceptional students

Abstract

Twice-exceptional (2e) students face many barriers to learning opportunities due to their combinations of giftedness and learning disabilities. If 2e students are referred to special education teachers such as resource teachers of learning and behaviour (RTLB), challenges may be encountered when RTLB lack knowledge of twice-exceptionality. This article provides insight into the barriers RTLB face when identifying 2e students, and how RTLB provide learning programmes that promote and strengthen 2e students’ talents while scaffolding support for their learning disabilities. It draws upon a small exploratory qualitative study of RTLB knowledge of 2e concepts, how they identified these students, and the common intervention approaches used when working with 2e students.