Books & Tools for 2e Learners
The Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted (WATG) is proud to offer Summer Scholarships to support gifted students in pursuing enriching educational experiences beyond the traditional classroom. These scholarships provide financial assistance for students to attend summer programs, camps, and other specialized learning opportunities that align with their unique talents and interests. Whether exploring STEM, the arts, leadership, or other advanced studies, our scholarships help ensure that all gifted students have access to meaningful growth experiences. WATG is committed to fostering the potential of Wisconsin's gifted youth by expanding access to high-quality learning opportunities.
As part of the application, students must submit either an essay or a video/multimedia presentation, along with one reference letter from a teacher or a non-family member. The essay or presentation should address the following:
- Personal background and advanced enrichment needs.
- A description of the summer program or class you wish to attend and the reasons for your interest in it.
- An explanation of why you believe you are a strong candidate for this scholarship.
Student Summer Scholarships
Logo Contest
Calling all creative K-12 students across Wisconsin! Each year, Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted invites students to design a logo for our Annual Conference, and we're excited to see your creativity shine.
Deadline Extended: April 15, 2025 at midnight
Theme for the 2025 Conference: Take a Chance on Gifted Education!
Conference Dates: October 5–7, 2025
Location: Wisconsin Dells
Size: No larger than 4" x 4"
Color: Black and white only
Adaptability: Must be scalable (use bold lettering and simple, non-intricate designs)
Submit your original logo design to help us represent this year's theme! Winning artwork will be featured in conference materials and recognized statewide.
How to Submit: Email your logo to watg@watg.org
Bright Kids Who Can’t Keep Up
Description: This book focuses on children who are intellectually advanced but struggle with attention, executive functioning, or processing speed.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: It offers insight into why some gifted children underperform and practical interventions to help them succeed.
Ideal for: Parents, educators, and psychologists
Link:
https://amzn.to/4prSGfH
Bright Not Broken
Description: Bright Not Broken explores how ADHD and autism manifest in gifted children, with strategies for nurturing their strengths while supporting challenges.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: It helps identify 2e traits and provides guidance on balancing challenge, accommodation, and social-emotional development.
Ideal for: Parents, teachers, and specialists of gifted students with neurodiverse profiles
Link:
https://amzn.to/49Ql4Ur
Differently Wired
Description: Differently Wired explores parenting strategies for neurodiverse or highly sensitive children navigating a “one-size-fits-all” education system.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: It encourages embracing differences while developing resilience, self-advocacy, and strengths.
Ideal for: Parents of gifted, sensitive, or neurodiverse children
Link:
https://amzn.to/3XdBD50
Different Minds
Description: This book explains how giftedness intersects with ADHD, ASD, and other neurodivergences in twice-exceptional children.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: It validates the uneven development common in 2e learners and helps adults understand how to meet their advanced cognitive needs alongside support needs.
Ideal for: Parents, teachers, school psychologists, 2e advocates
Link: https://amzn.to/48oIu0z
Executive Functioning Workbook for Teens
Description: This workbooks offers structured activities to build planning, organization, time management, and goal-setting skills. It is especially useful for gifted teens who need extra support with executive functioning.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: It supports gifted teens who often struggle with executive functioning despite high intellectual ability, helping them translate potential into achievement.
Ideal for: Gifted adolescents (12 to 18 years old) with challenges in organization, focus, or self-management
Link: https://amzn.to/48IEJV2
Fidgets and Sensory Tools
Description: Manipulatives like stress balls, fidget spinners, textured toys, or chewable items used to support focus and self-regulation.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: They help students with high energy, sensory needs, or ADHD manage attention and reduce stress.
Ideal for: Elementary through high school, especially students with ADHD, anxiety, or sensory sensitivities
Links:
Flexible Seating Options
Description: Alternative seating arrangements that allow movement while learning.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: They support attention, executive function, and self-regulation for energetic or kinesthetic learners.
Ideal for: Classrooms with active learners or students needing sensory input to stay focused
Links:
Gifted and Distractible
Description: Gifted and Distractible focuses on supporting gifted children with attention difficulties, offering strategies for academic success and emotional well-being.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: It addresses the unique intersection of high intelligence and distractibility, offering strategies tailored to their strengths and challenges.
Ideal for: Parents, educators, and specialists of gifted children who struggle with attention and focus
Link:
https://amzn.to/3MvFrfD
Neurodiversity Playbook
Description: This guide provides practical, strengths-based strategies for supporting neurodivergent individuals in school, home, and social settings. It focuses on empowerment, self-understanding, and actionable tools.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Gifted neurodivergent students often struggle with intensity, emotional regulation, and executive functioning; this playbook helps them build confidence and agency.
Ideal for: Parents, teachers, counselors, and 2e teens
Link:
https://amzn.to/4ruzQX2
The Power of Neurodiversity
Description: This book explores the many ways the human brain can be “wired,” advocating for recognition of neurodiverse learners as having unique strengths. It encourages parents and educators to embrace differences and implement strategies that leverage students’ abilities rather than focusing solely on deficits.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: It helps families and educators see learning differences as strengths, encouraging adaptive strategies and positive identity development.
Ideal for: Parents, educators, and professionals working with diverse learners
Link:
https://amzn.to/4p944xc
Raising Twice-Exceptional Children
Description: This is a compassionate guide that helps parents understand the complex profiles of twice-exceptional (2e) kids. It provides tools, real-world examples, and research-informed strategies to support both exceptional abilities and learning challenges.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: It offers strategies for balancing strengths with support needs.
Ideal for: Parents, counselors
Link:
https://amzn.to/4asU3X4
Smart but Scattered for Teens
Description: This book guides adolescents in developing executive function skills, including planning, organization, and self-control.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: It provides practical strategies to help gifted teens manage time, assignments, and life skills, especially if they struggle with executive functioning.
Ideal for: Ages 12+
Link:
https://amzn.to/48febtn
Teaching Twice-Exceptional Learners in Today’s Classroom
Description: This resource gives educators actionable strategies for meeting the academic, social-emotional, and organizational needs of 2e students. It offers classroom frameworks, accommodations, and case studies that help teachers create inclusive and challenging learning environments.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: It provides research0based supports tailored to 2e needs.
Ideal for: Teachers, GT specialists, interventionists
Links: https://amzn.to/4iqnrzc
