Page 36 - Waterfall_Issue 7_2022
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Waterfall Today’s Child
PARENTING THE
GIFTED CHILD
Nicola Killops is mom to James, a twice- T hrough a series of articles, Nicola hopes to reach
those moms and dads who need to hear that
exceptional 18-year-old, and she lives their experiences with having children who
possibly don’t fit into the ‘norm’ are not alone.
in Johannesburg. Nicola specialised There may be an explanation for their experience as a
in gifted education and taught at family. With understanding and information, they can
set their children on a path where they are understood,
the Radford House School for gifted nurtured, and allowed to be everything they can be.
children for many years. She recently We asked Nicola to elaborate more on her own experiences.
left teaching and is now a writer, Q: You mentioned that your son is twice-
focusing on supporting parents and exceptional. What does that mean?
NK: Twice-exceptional refers to a person that is intellectually
teachers of children who are ‘different’, gifted but also has learning challenges like ADHD, dyslexia,
according to mainstream views. sensory processing issues, or autism. Therefore, they
are referred to as ‘twice-exceptional’, or 2e, as they have
exceptional abilities and disabilities at the same time.
34 Waterfall Issue 7 2022
