Austin, San Antonio & Houston Neuro-Affirming Resources for Twice-Exceptional (2e) and Gifted Kids

Written By: Michelle Ptacek & Mr. Sam

Supporting a twice-exceptional or gifted child can often feel overwhelming. As parents, we are constantly searching for resources that can challenge and nurture our child’s amazing strengths, while also offering the right support for areas where they struggle. Of equal importance is finding spaces where they feel truly seen and safe—where they can be themselves without fear of being misunderstood, judged, or othered.

For families of gifted and 2e children living in Austin, San Antonio, and Houston, finding the right professionals and services can be daunting. That’s why we’ve compiled this guide: to connect families with resources that not only cater to the intellectual and emotional needs of 2e and gifted children, but also embrace a neurodivergent-affirming perspective in their practices. In this post, we’ll introduce a variety of services available throughout Central and South Texas—including Austin, Round Rock, San Antonio, Houston, The Woodlands, and beyond—and explain why each is important for families with neurodivergent kids.

Why Neuro-Affirming Resources for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids Are So Important

When we talk about neuro-affirming resources, we’re referring to professionals and practices that recognize and celebrate neurodiversity. Neuro-affirming professionals do not view neurodivergent children through a deficit-based lens, where their challenges are seen as problems to be “fixed.” Instead, they take a strength-based approach, focusing on the child’s talents and abilities while providing the necessary support for areas of challenge. The goal is not to change the child to fit into neurotypical molds, but rather to create an environment where the child’s unique wiring can thrive.

For twice-exceptional and gifted children, this approach is especially important. Because they have strengths in certain areas while also facing challenges in others, a traditional educational or therapeutic approach that focuses primarily on “fixing” their weaknesses can unintentionally overlook or undervalue their talents. This can lead to negative self-perceptions, where they begin to feel defined by their difficulties rather than empowered by their strengths. A neuro-affirming approach ensures that both aspects of their identity—strengths and challenges—are recognized and supported, helping them grow in a way that nurtures their whole self.

As parents of 2e children, seeking out neuro-affirming resources is an active and conscious choice we need to make in order to ensure that they are not only supported in their challenges but also celebrated for their strengths. The right professional can make all the difference in their educational and emotional journey.

DISCLAIMER — While we’ve made every effort to ensure the quality of these resources, some of whom are colleagues of Mr. Sam, the resources mentioned in this blog are for informational purposes only and are not endorsed or guaranteed by Young Scholars Academy. We encourage you to do your own due diligence in selecting the right fit for your family. Young Scholars Academy is not responsible for any outcomes or experiences resulting from the use of these resources. It’s important to choose professionals and organizations that align with your values, understand your child’s unique needs, and create an environment where your child can truly thrive.

Neuropsychologists & Testing for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

For families of gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) children, working with neuropsychologists who specialize in the unique cognitive and emotional profiles of 2e kids is essential. These specialists conduct comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations that go beyond traditional assessments to uncover both strengths and challenges. These evaluations help families gain a deeper understanding of how their child’s giftedness may intersect with neurodivergences like ADHD, learning disabilities, or anxiety, and inform the creation of customized educational and emotional support strategies.

Here are some neuropsychologists and testing resources for families across Austin, San Antonio, and Houston:

• Neurobehavioral Institute of Austin — Dr. Scott Hammel, PhD (Austin) — Dr. Hammel is a licensed psychologist in private practice since 2002, providing psychological and neuropsychological assessment and testing for children, adolescents, and adults. He has a specialized interest in conducting assessments and therapy with gifted children and adults, consulting with schools on giftedness, and providing trainings on the subject. His expertise spans ADHD, learning disabilities, mood disorders, and twice-exceptionality — making him one of the most comprehensively gifted-informed neuropsychologists in the Austin area. The Institute, founded by Dr. Hammel and his wife Lisa Hammel, M.Ed., also offers psychotherapy and educational consulting.
• Monarch Behavioral Health (San Antonio) — A San Antonio psychological testing practice explicitly offering twice-exceptional (2e) evaluations alongside ADHD, autism, learning disability, OCD, and IEP-related testing. Their team provides diagnostic clarity through individualized cognitive and psychoeducational assessment, producing concise diagnoses and personalized treatment or school support plans — cutting through the guesswork that so many 2e families endure before finding the right answers. Testing accommodations for standardized exams are also available.
• Neuropsychological Assessment Center of Houston (NACH) (The Woodlands / Greater Houston) — Located in The Woodlands, NACH specializes in neuropsychological, psychoeducational, ADHD, and autism evaluations for children and young adults from infants through college age. Their licensed neuropsychologists are particularly knowledgeable about the special education process and skilled in consultation with schools regarding appropriate services and interventions — an invaluable combination for 2e families seeking both diagnosis and educational advocacy. NACH offers self-pay and out-of-network options with superbills available.
• Psychological Associates of Central Texas (PACT) (Central Texas / Austin area) — PACT offers explicit twice-exceptional evaluations designed to uncover the full cognitive and emotional profile of 2e students whose strengths and challenges mask one another. In addition to standard ADHD and autism assessments, their 2e evaluations include a more in-depth look at academic achievement in areas of suspected difficulty (including hidden or stealth dyslexia) and examine the social-emotional and behavioral factors unique to twice-exceptional learners. PACT also offers consultations to help families translate results into actionable educational plans.

Psychologists for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Psychologists specializing in giftedness and twice-exceptionality offer families deeper understanding of their child’s unique cognitive, emotional, and behavioral needs. These professionals provide both diagnostic clarity and therapeutic support, helping children build resilience and navigate the academic, social, and emotional landscapes they encounter every day.

Here are some excellent psychologists across Austin, San Antonio, and Houston:

• GT Therapy Group — Tracy Tanner, LPC-S, LMFT-S (Austin area, virtual statewide) — Tracy Tanner is a licensed therapist and supervisor who has built her entire practice around gifted, twice-exceptional, and highly sensitive children, teens, and their families. Her work focuses on helping parents understand their child’s behavior through a brain-based, nervous-system, and attachment-focused lens, offering strategy sessions for families navigating school and parenting challenges alongside individual therapy for gifted young adults and adults who grew up misunderstood.
• Premier Psychological Services — Dr. Angela Dobbins, PhD, LSSP (Houston) — A Houston practice offering comprehensive neuropsychological, psychoeducational, and psychological assessments for children, adolescents, and adults, with expertise in learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and independent educational evaluations for school-aged children. Dr. Dobbins has extensive experience consulting with school campuses to determine appropriate supports, making her a strong resource for families navigating both the diagnosis and the school-based advocacy that follows.
• Austin Holistic Psychology (Austin) — A non-judgmental, radically genuine, and social-justice-oriented Austin practice offering diagnoses, therapy, and neuropsychological assessments for everyone. Their neurodiversity-affirming approach centers the whole person rather than the deficit, and their work spans autism, ADHD, and other neurodivergent profiles for children, teens, and adults.

Mental Health Therapists for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Mental health therapists who specialize in gifted and 2e children play a crucial role in addressing the emotional and psychological needs of these students. These professionals offer therapeutic support for concerns including anxiety, depression, trauma, and school-related challenges, while also helping children and families navigate their unique complexities through individualized, relationship-based approaches.

Here are some great mental health therapists across Austin, San Antonio, and Houston:

• Just Mind Counseling (Austin, in-person and online statewide) — A well-established Austin counseling practice with a dedicated team of neurodiversity-affirming therapists offering in-person and virtual sessions across Texas. Just Mind believes neurodiversity is something to be understood, respected, and celebrated — not managed or suppressed. They offer therapy for autistic individuals, those with ADHD, and other neurodivergent experiences, with a particular focus on building personalized strategies, reducing shame, and fostering self-understanding alongside practical life and executive functioning skills.
• Eddins Counseling Group (Houston) — A Houston multi-specialty counseling practice with a dedicated neurodiversity practice area, offering therapy for children, teens, and adults with ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, and other neurodivergent conditions alongside parent support and the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) for sensory processing, auditory integration, and stress reduction. Their approach views neurodivergent treatment as an opportunity to find practical solutions to difficulties — not a deficit to fix — and focuses on building on each person’s inherent strengths.

Educational Therapists & Executive Functioning Support for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Many families with gifted and twice-exceptional children find educational therapists and executive functioning professionals to be invaluable resources. Educational therapists work with children to address specific learning challenges using specialized techniques, while executive functioning coaches help students build skills like organization, time management, self-regulation, and problem-solving. Both types of professionals are dedicated to helping students understand how they learn best. For gifted and 2e kids, these experts are especially valuable because they tailor their approach to the child’s individual strengths and learning style.

Here are some skilled educational therapists and executive functioning support professionals across Austin, San Antonio, and Houston:

• The Learning Collective — Megan Barnett, MEd (Austin, virtual statewide) — Founded by Megan Barnett, a neurodiversity-affirming executive function coach with a Master’s in Cognitive Diversity from the Bridges Graduate School, The Learning Collective offers 12-week executive function coaching programs for students with ADHD, autism, twice-exceptionality, giftedness, dyslexia, and high sensitivity. Megan’s approach is polyvagal-informed, trauma-informed, and rooted in the belief that the goal is never compliance — it’s building a steady foundation of safety and strategies that honor the student’s unique brain. Parent support meetings are built into every program.
• Julie Nichols, MEd, ET/P, CALT/LDT — J&S Educational Therapy and Vocational Services (Virtual/Statewide from San Antonio area) — Julie is a certified Educational Therapist, Academic Language Therapist, Licensed Dyslexia Therapist, and Certified Autism and Cognition Specialist serving children through adults across Texas virtually. Based in the San Antonio area, she serves children, adolescents, and adults with developmental, learning, and cognitive disabilities — and is an advocate for neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ youth and their families.

Occupational Therapists (OT) for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Occupational therapy is a vital resource for twice-exceptional and gifted children, particularly those who experience challenges with fine motor skills, sensory processing, self-regulation, or daily living tasks. OT helps children build essential life skills, enhance independence, and boost confidence—creating a strong foundation for emotional, social, and academic success.

Here are some great OT resources for gifted and 2e kiddos across Austin, San Antonio, and Houston:

• Bright SpOT Pediatric Therapy (Austin) — A neurodiversity-affirming Austin pediatric therapy practice offering occupational, physical, speech, and feeding therapy for children with ADHD, autism, ARFID, sensory processing disorder, and other developmental differences. Their OT team uses play-based, child-led care that integrates the child’s interests — a hallmark of genuine neurodivergent-affirming practice. Parents consistently highlight the warmth, flexibility, and respect their therapists show to each child as an individual. Bright SpOT also offers SOS feeding therapy for sensory-based eating challenges.
• KidTherapy Austin (Austin) — An Austin pediatric therapy practice with a dedicated team of occupational therapists passionate about helping children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing challenges, and learning disabilities build confidence, independence, and meaningful daily skills. Their OT team brings training in sensory integration, play-based therapy, and client-centered family involvement to every session — and their therapists come with diverse clinical backgrounds spanning hospital, school, and community settings.
• Texas Children’s Hospital — Occupational Therapy (Houston, multiple locations) — One of the nation’s leading pediatric hospitals, Texas Children’s offers comprehensive occupational therapy services for children with autism, ADHD, sensory differences, developmental delays, and other neurodivergent profiles across its Houston-area campuses. For families who need OT alongside multidisciplinary support from neurologists, developmental pediatricians, or other specialists, Texas Children’s offers the most integrated and well-resourced pediatric care ecosystem in the Houston region.

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Speech-language therapy is an important resource for many 2e and gifted children, particularly those who experience challenges with social communication, language processing, articulation, or the pragmatics of conversation. For neurodivergent children, working with an SLP who takes a neurodiversity-affirming approach can make all the difference.

Here are some great SLP resources for gifted and 2e kiddos across Austin, San Antonio, and Houston:

• Texas Children’s Hospital — Speech-Language Pathology (Houston, multiple locations) — Texas Children’s speech-language pathology department provides individualized therapy for children with autism, ADHD, language-based learning differences, and other communication needs across its Houston-area locations. Their SLPs work collaboratively with the hospital’s multidisciplinary teams, making them a particularly strong resource for 2e children whose communication needs intersect with other medical or developmental diagnoses.
• CommuniCare Pediatric Specialist (DFW / statewide virtual) — While based in the DFW metro, CommuniCare’s bilingual, child-led, neurodiversity-affirming speech therapy services are available via telehealth to families across Texas, including Austin, San Antonio, and Houston. For families in these metros who are struggling to find a truly neurodivergent-affirming SLP locally, their virtual model offers a meaningful alternative that honors all forms of communication and incorporates each child’s special interests into every session.

Schools for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

For many 2e and gifted children, traditional schools may not provide the specific support they need. Fortunately, there are schools across Austin, San Antonio, and Houston designed to address the unique challenges and strengths of 2e learners, creating environments where children can thrive academically while receiving the individualized support necessary for their development.

Here are some great school options for gifted and 2e students in Central and South Texas:

• Bridges Academy Austin (Austin, Steiner Ranch) — A small, accredited K–12 school in Austin’s Steiner Ranch neighborhood specializing in dyslexia, dysgraphia, gifted/2e, and other learning differences. With an average student-to-teacher ratio of 1:6, Bridges meets students where they are academically and helps them reach their fullest potential. Teachers are certified in reading, special education, and gifted education — a rare combination that reflects genuine understanding of the whole 2e profile. Current enrollment is approximately 50 students with a focus on small, intentional growth.
• Great Minds Learning Community (Pflugerville / Austin metro) — A private, accredited part-time micro-school in Pflugerville for gifted and twice-exceptional learners, offering a personalized, student-driven, hands-on, project-based, and Socratic learning environment with a 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Great Minds specifically serves students who are intellectually gifted and also have learning differences including dyslexia, ADHD, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, sensory processing challenges, and autism. No testing required for giftedness or twice-exceptionality to enroll — they simply meet you where your child is.
• ACE Academy (Austin) — ACE Academy is an accredited nonprofit private school serving gifted learners in Kindergarten through 8th grade in Austin since 2005. Their hands-on, inquiry-based curriculum goes beyond state tests and pre-packaged programs, combining academic rigor with a strong emphasis on social-emotional learning and life skills, so gifted kids are challenged, known, and genuinely happy to go to school.
• Fusion Academy — Austin & San Antonio campuses (Austin and San Antonio) — Fusion Academy’s 1-to-1 accredited private school model (grades 4–12) is available at campuses in both Austin and San Antonio, offering fully personalized instruction where every class has just one student and one teacher. Fusion is an especially strong fit for 2e students who need academic acceleration alongside a focused, low-distraction environment, and for students who have struggled with school avoidance, anxiety, or simply never thrived in a traditional classroom. Full-time and part-time/supplemental options available. Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) scholarships accepted.

Secular Homeschool Groups for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Many families of gifted and 2e children find that homeschooling—or hybrid homeschooling—is the right path for their child, whether because of sensory needs, asynchronous development, school avoidance, or simply a desire for greater flexibility and depth. Finding a secular, inclusive community to homeschool alongside can make all the difference, providing both social connection for kids and support for parents navigating this journey.

Here are some secular homeschool community options for families in Austin, San Antonio, and Houston:

• SECTX Homeschool (Southeast Central Texas / Austin area) — Founded in 2018, SECTX is an inclusive secular co-op built specifically for homeschoolers of gifted, twice-exceptional, and neurodivergent kids, serving Fayette County and surrounding counties including Bastrop, Caldwell, and Lee — making it one of the most intentionally 2e-aligned homeschool communities in the greater Austin area. The group uses secular curricula, celebrates neurodiversity, advocates for gifted and 2e learners, and offers meetups, field trips, clubs, events, and homeschool-specific honor societies.
• Austin AAH Friday Co-op (Austin) — An inclusive, once-a-week secular homeschool cooperative for families ages 5 and up, offering three class periods per meeting with a selection of subjects across age ranges, plus a social hour. Classes are taught by both parents and instructors with subject backgrounds, and the co-op operates under the 4-H system. A strong structural option for Austin families looking for a consistent weekly academic and social anchor for their homeschooled child.

Advocates / IEP Help for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Many families with gifted and twice-exceptional children find advocates and IEP support professionals to be crucial partners in navigating the educational system. Having a knowledgeable advocate in your corner can make all the difference in securing appropriate accommodations, services, and educational plans that truly honor your child’s full profile—both their gifts and their challenges.

Here are some key advocacy resources for families across Austin, San Antonio, and Houston:

• Swanson Law, PLLC — Jennifer Lynn Swanson (Houston, statewide) — Jennifer Swanson is a Houston-based special education attorney who taught special education in Texas for nearly a decade before earning her law degree — giving her an understanding of the school system’s inner workings that few attorneys can match. Her practice is devoted entirely to families navigating IEP, ECI, 504, and ARD concerns, and her clients consistently describe her as both brilliant and deeply compassionate.
• Texas Education Agency — Special Education Dispute Resolution (Statewide) — For families who need free or low-cost guidance on their special education rights before retaining an advocate or attorney, the TEA’s Special Education Dispute Resolution office connects families with the Partners Resource Network and Disability Rights Texas — the two most comprehensive free advocacy support resources in the state.

Tutors for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Many families with gifted and twice-exceptional children find tutors to be an invaluable resource in supporting their child’s academic journey. Tutors who understand 2e learners can adapt to each child’s individual learning style, providing the right level of challenge while offering support to overcome specific academic hurdles. Whether it’s advancing in a beloved subject or building confidence in a challenging area, the right tutor helps these students shine.

Here are some tutor resources for gifted and 2e students across Austin, San Antonio, and Houston:

• Houston Dyslexia LLC — Natalie Hobock, CALT (Houston & Virtual) — Natalie Hobock is a Certified Academic Language Therapist and Reading Therapist with 20+ years of experience, including a decade at a school serving exclusively students with learning differences. Using Orton-Gillingham-based Neuhaus Structured Literacy therapy, she works with students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and ADHD — in-person in Houston and virtually nationwide.
• Austin Learning Center (Austin) — A well-established Austin tutoring center with deep experience across a broad range of learning differences including ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and executive function challenges — as well as gifted and high-achieving learners who need deeper conceptual challenges. Their team serves students from elementary through college, with a philosophy that honors each learner’s unique profile.
• Made for Math (Virtual) — Made for Math offers online 1-on-1 math intervention specifically designed for 2e students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, or autism, delivered by highly trained math specialists who understand the unique learning profiles of twice-exceptional kids. A wonderful virtual option for families in Austin, San Antonio, and Houston who are seeking specialized, neurodivergent-affirming math support without geographic limitations.

Food / Nutrition / ARFID Support for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Feeding challenges and ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) are significantly more common in neurodivergent children, and they are often deeply tied to sensory sensitivities, anxiety, and the need for sameness and predictability that many 2e kids experience. Finding professionals who approach food and eating through a neurodivergent-affirming lens—without pressure, force, or shame—is essential for these families.

Here are some resources for feeding and nutrition support across Austin, San Antonio, and Houston:

• Austin Center for Eating Disorders (ACED) (Austin) — ACED is one of the most neurodivergent-informed ARFID treatment practices in the Austin area, with clinicians highly skilled and trained to work with the full spectrum of ARFID presentations alongside autism, ADHD, and other sensory processing differences. Their approach acknowledges that every client is different, offers a fully personalized treatment plan for each individual, and pairs therapy with nutritional support, all from a place of compassion and genuine understanding of the neurodivergent experience.
• Texas Children’s Hospital — Feeding and Swallowing Program (Houston) — Texas Children’s Hospital’s Feeding and Swallowing program is one of the most comprehensive pediatric feeding resources in the Houston area and the broader state, offering multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment for children with pediatric feeding disorder, ARFID, and related conditions. Their team includes speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, gastroenterologists, and behavioral health specialists who coordinate to create individualized care plans for each child.

College Applications for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Students

The college application process can be especially challenging for 2e students, whose spiky profiles, unconventional academic paths, and executive functioning challenges don’t always fit neatly into standard application frameworks. Working with a consultant who truly understands twice-exceptionality—someone who knows how to help these students present their authentic strengths and find colleges that will actually support them—is invaluable.

Here are some college application resources for 2e students in Austin, San Antonio, and Houston:

• Top College Consultants — Dr. Eric Endlich (Virtual) — Founded by Dr. Eric Endlich, a clinical psychologist and educational consultant who has worked extensively with twice-exceptional, gifted, and neurodivergent students, Top College Consultants is one of the most respected virtual resources for 2e college prep in the country. Dr. Endlich has presented on 2e college preparation for Young Scholars Academy, the Learning Disabilities Association, and dozens of other organizations, and maintains an extensive database of neurodiversity-friendly colleges. They offer free resources, recorded webinars, and personalized consulting services — accessible to families across Austin, San Antonio, and Houston.
• University of Texas at Austin — Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) (Austin) — For 2e students planning to attend UT Austin, the SSD is the on-campus resource for academic accommodations for students with ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, and other neurodivergent profiles. Families should connect with SSD well before the first semester begins — ideally while still preparing their college application — so students arrive with a clear understanding of what accommodations are available and how to access them from day one. UT Austin’s size and academic diversity make it a meaningful option for many 2e students in Central Texas.
• University of Houston — Center for Students with DisABILITIES (CSD) (Houston) — The University of Houston’s CSD offers comprehensive accommodation services, disability-related advising, and support for neurodivergent students across the UH campus. With UH’s large, diverse student body and broad range of academic programs, it’s a natural consideration for many 2e students in the Houston area — and families who research the CSD during the application process will be better positioned to advocate for their student’s needs from arrival.

Educational / Parent Consultants for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Educational and parent consultants who specialize in gifted and 2e children help families navigate complex systems — from school placement and IEP advocacy to understanding their child’s unique learning profile and making informed decisions about educational options.

Here are some educational and parent consultant resources across Austin, San Antonio, and Houston:

• Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT) (Statewide) — TAGT’s parent resources, conferences, and affiliate networks across Texas help families in Austin, San Antonio, and Houston understand their rights, find local parent support groups, and stay connected to the broader gifted and 2e education community in Texas. For families who want to become more informed and empowered advocates for their child within the public school system, TAGT is one of the most practical starting points available.
• Carolyn Means at School Solutions (Houston) — A Houston-based Certified Educational Planner and IECA Professional with 25+ years in education and 20 years of private consulting, Carolyn Means has helped over 1,000 students find their right-fit school. With 800+ hours of professional development in areas including giftedness, twice-exceptionality, executive functioning, dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and special education law, she brings both breadth and depth to families navigating Houston’s complex school landscape.

Parent Support Groups & Consultants for Families with Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Parent support groups and consultants are invaluable resources for families of gifted and 2e children, offering community, guidance, and expert advice. These resources empower parents with the knowledge and tools to advocate for their child, foster their child’s strengths, and effectively manage the unique challenges of raising a 2e child—while also reminding parents that they don’t have to do this alone.

Here are some great parent support resources to check out:

• YSA Parent Social Club (Virtual) — Young Scholars Academy’s Parent Social Club offers a welcoming virtual space for parents of gifted and twice-exceptional children to connect, celebrate successes, and share challenges. Through engaging activities and supportive discussions, the club fosters a strong sense of community, providing valuable support for parents on their unique journey. It’s a place to build lasting friendships, find encouragement and understanding, and know you’re not navigating this path alone.
• Dr. Lori Baudino, PsyD, BC-DMT (Virtual) — Dr. Baudino is a licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified dance/movement therapist with over twenty years of experience supporting children, families, and parents. She specializes in children with sensory processing differences, neurodivergent profiles, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, learning differences, anxiety, and behavioral or emotional challenges — offering both psychological support and a distinctive movement-based, mind-body approach to understanding children’s needs. For parents, she provides comprehensive family treatment, behavioral observation, and parent coaching that helps families not just manage challenges but deeply understand and celebrate their child’s development. She offers virtual services, making her accessible to families across Austin, San Antonio, and Houston.

Social-Emotional and Intellectual Enrichment for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Gifted and twice-exceptional children thrive in environments that support their intellectual, social, and emotional growth. Enrichment programs offer 2e kids the opportunity to build friendships, explore their passions, and be fully celebrated in a neuro-affirming setting.

Mind Outlet (Virtual) — Michelle Ptacek primarily serves highly and profoundly gifted students in the Davidson Young Scholars program through daily M-F online homerooms covering creative thinking, social-emotional learning, and executive functioning. Her approach draws on research into extreme cognitive profiles and bibliotherapy, giving HG/PG students both the intellectual community and the social-emotional scaffolding that is so rarely available to them in traditional settings. For families whose schedules don’t align with the group homerooms, she also offers 1:1 instruction.

Young Scholars Academy is a virtual village that offers strength-based enrichment courses and community for gifted, twice-exceptional, and bright, differently-wired kids ages 5–18, empowering them to develop their strengths, make like-minded friends, and thrive under the loving care of mentors!

With a wide range of subjects from math and science to arts and humanities, YSA challenges students at their own pace while fostering skills like time management, independent learning, and creative thinking. Students connect with like-minded peers and passionate mentors, forming friendships over shared interests such as World War I submarines, Dungeons & Dragons, Minecraft mods, and so much more. These neuro-affirming courses allow 2e children to dive into their passions, build confidence, and thrive socially—all from the comfort of home, fitting perfectly into the busy lives of families in Austin, San Antonio, and Houston.

Picture a place where your child fits in, is celebrated, mentored, and loves learning the unique content they crave. That is happening every day at YSA for nearly 400 families, and it can happen for your family too!

Conclusion

Supporting twice-exceptional (2e) and gifted children requires a thoughtful, holistic approach that honors both their strengths and challenges. By connecting with neuro-affirming resources such as neuropsychologists, educational therapists, parent support consultants, and occupational therapists, families across Austin, San Antonio, and Houston can create a nurturing environment where their children feel seen, understood, and empowered to reach their fullest potential.

Across Central and South Texas, a growing network of specialized professionals and support organizations is available to guide families through the complexities of 2e and giftedness. From comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations to IEP advocacy, specialized schools to virtual enrichment, these resources help ensure that children are not only supported in areas where they struggle, but also celebrated for their remarkable gifts.

By embracing a neurodivergent-affirming perspective, parents can empower their children to flourish—academically, socially, and emotionally—while fostering an environment of acceptance, growth, and self-advocacy. With the right resources, every 2e and gifted child can thrive, embracing their unique potential and becoming confident, resilient individuals ready to make their mark on the world.

Remember, the path to success for 2e and gifted children involves recognizing both their strengths and challenges. By seeking out resources that respect neurodiversity and embrace a strengths-based approach, you can provide your child with the support they need to flourish—just as they are.

We want to find the best resources for 2e and gifted kids in as many cities as we can. Did we miss anyone you think we should add to our Austin, San Antonio, or Houston lists? What city should we explore next? Let us know in the comments!

DISCLAIMER — While we’ve made every effort to ensure the quality of these resources, some of whom are colleagues of Mr. Sam, the resources mentioned in this blog are for informational purposes only and are not endorsed or guaranteed by Young Scholars Academy. We encourage you to do your own due diligence in selecting the right fit for your family. Young Scholars Academy is not responsible for any outcomes or experiences resulting from the use of these resources. It’s important to choose professionals and organizations that align with your values, understand your child’s unique needs, and create an environment where your child can truly thrive.