REEL

As the school year wraps up, and before summer begins, this is the best time to capture what worked.

Over the past year, your child, their teachers, and your family have learned a lot about what helps your child thrive. But if you don't document those insights now, they can easily get lost over the summer.

In our latest article, REEL parent Teresa Nair shares a simple end-of-year strategy: gather feedback from both your child and their teachers about which accommodations, supports, and classroom strategies made the biggest difference this year.

The goal isn't to make changes right now—it's to collect valuable data that can help your child start next year with confidence and stronger self-advocacy.

A few conversations today can make next fall's transition much smoother.

Read the article: https://www.reel2e.org/post/end-of-year-check-in-gathering-data-to-set-your-child-up-for-success

Your child seems to be doing "fine" at school, but something doesn't quite add up.

Your child is bright and capable, yet struggles with friendships, self-esteem, anxiety, or challenges that don't show up on a report card.

There's a quiet feeling that there's more to the story.

Does this sound familiar to you?

In this personal reflection, one parent shares the long road to understanding her twice-exceptional child from years of hearing he was "on level" to finally uncovering the ADHD, anxiety, and giftedness that had been hiding in plain sight.

If this story resonates with you, you're not alone.

💛 Your instincts matter.
💛 "Fine" doesn't always mean thriving.
💛 It's okay to keep asking questions.

Read the full story: https://www.reel2e.org/post/late-identification-of-a-2e-child-a-letter-to-the-parent-i-used-to-be

Energy dysregulation isn’t misbehavior—it’s communication.

In this blog, we explore how neurodivergent and twice-exceptional (2e) students experience energy and emotional regulation—and why so many of their responses are misunderstood.

Featuring insights from Emily Kircher-Morris, this piece reframes what we often label as “unexpected behavior” and offers practical, strengths-based strategies to better support students in the moments that matter most.

✨ Normalize dysregulation—it’s a human thing
✨ Focus on capacity, not compliance
✨ Build co-regulation before expecting self-regulation

When we shift how we interpret behavior, we change how students experience school—and themselves.

Learn how to normalize responses here: https://www.reel2e.org/post/energy-regulation-unexpected-behaviors-normalizing-responses-in-neurodivergent-students

📣 We want to hear from you.

Each year, the REEL Community Survey helps shape the topics, resources, events, and supports we create for neurodivergent and twice-exceptional learners and their families.

What challenges are you navigating right now? What kinds of support, conversations, or resources would feel most meaningful in the year ahead?

Your voice truly helps guide our work — and we read every response. 💛

As a thank-you, one participant will be selected to receive a $100 Amazon gift card.

🗓 Please complete the survey by 5/22:
https://reeladmin.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?tt=kFJPrXzV%2BwIECHrPeIW9eQ%3D%3D

Thank you for being part of this community.

🎉 We’re incredibly proud to celebrate our very own Callie Turk, Ed.D. 2026, on her successful doctoral defense!

Callie’s doctoral work, "Creating a Neurodiversity/2e Community of Practice Playbook", reflects so much of REEL — building shared understanding, fostering collaboration, and creating strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming communities that better support twice-exceptional learners.

This work is not only an important contribution to the field of 2e education, but also deeply connected to the heart of REEL’s mission and the collaborative work we continue to build alongside families, educators, and professionals.

We’re so proud of Callie’s leadership, vision, and dedication to advancing meaningful change for neurodivergent and twice-exceptional learners. ❤️

Congratulations Callie!

Congratulations to Callie Turk, Ed.D 2026, on a successful doctoral defense!

Callie’s doctoral work, “Creating a Neurodiversity/2e Community of Practice Playbook,” offers a practical framework for building shared understanding and collaboration in 2e education.

We’re proud to celebrate Callie and her leadership in advancing collaborative, strength-based practice in 2e education.

Explore Elmbridge University’s doctoral programs and learn how our graduate community supports twice-exceptional learners. Visit elmbridge.edu

Why can a twice-exceptional learner spend hours immersed in a passion project — yet completely shut down when it’s time to start homework?

It’s not laziness. It’s not defiance. It’s neuroscience.

In this conversation from REEL’s 2026 Parent Speaker Series, four experts unpack the brain-based reasons motivation breaks down for 2e learners — and what parents can do to better support activation, regulation, and follow-through without shame or power struggles.

You’ll learn:
- Why motivation and activation are not the same thing
- The dopamine science behind task initiation
- How to identify your child’s unique “sparks” and “blockers”
- A curiosity-first framework for collaborative problem solving
- Why recovery, regulation, and feedback matter more than we think

Watch the recording here: https://www.reel2e.org/post/new-path-to-motivation-for-2e
2tametheshame,

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Supporting mental health isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about how we show up.

✔ Lead with curiosity, not assumptions
✔ Focus on strengths, not just challenges
✔ Create space for regulation, not just compliance
✔ Build connection before correction

These small shifts can make a big difference—especially for neurodivergent and twice-exceptional learners.

If you’re looking for a deeper dive, we ran a webinar supporting 2e anxiety—offering practical ways to better understand and respond in those everyday moments that matter most:

👉 https://www.reel2e.org/post/navigating-anxiety-in-2e-learners-therapy-options-and-home-strategies

What a night!!

Bright Minds, Big Laughs was full of laughter, connection, and heart—and it’s all because of you.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, supported, and celebrated with us. Because of this community, we can keep building a strengths-based future for neurodivergent and twice-exceptional learners.

Still smiling. Still grateful.

We don’t always talk about our educator work—but it’s where real change starts.

Through our Community of Practice, Callie is working with school counselors + psychologists to rethink how we build self-advocacy in 2e learners.

Not by pushing harder.
But by shifting roles, building self-awareness, and helping students take the lead.

This new blog shares 10 practical ways schools and families can make that shift.

Link to read below and in comments
https://www.reel2e.org/post/10-tips-for-schools-to-support-parents

If you’ve ever thought:
“How can my child be so capable… and still so stuck?”

You’re not alone—and it’s not about “trying harder.”

In this upcoming REEL webinar featuring Courtney Edman, we’ll unpack what’s really happening beneath the surface for 2e learners—and how curiosity, connection, and confidence can unlock engagement in a whole new way.

- Brain-based strategies that actually work
- Tools for co-regulation and real-world activation
- A fresh, strengths-based lens on motivation

May 4 | 7–8:30 PM PT (Zoom)
Recording + Spanish translation included

Save your spot: https://www.reel2e.org/event-details/curiosity-connection-and-confidence-a-new-path-to-motivation-for-2e-kids