Maryland & Baltimore Neuro-Affirming Resources for Twice-Exceptional (2e) and Gifted Kids

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 the Baltimore area or the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C.—including Montgomery County, Howard County, and the broader DC metro—finding the right professionals and services can be daunting. That’s why we’ve put together this guide: to connect Maryland families with resources that address both the intellectual and emotional needs of gifted and 2e children, while fostering a neurodivergent-affirming approach. In this post, we’ll highlight a range of services available across the greater Baltimore and DC metro Maryland area and share why each one is crucial for families with neurodivergent kids.

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

When we refer to neuro-affirming resources, we’re talking about professionals and practices that embrace and honor neurodiversity. Neuro-affirming professionals don’t view neurodivergent children through a deficit-focused lens, where their challenges are seen as issues to be “fixed.” Instead, they adopt a strength-based approach, focusing on the child’s abilities and talents while offering support for areas of difficulty. The aim isn’t to reshape the child to fit neurotypical standards, but to foster an environment where the child’s unique wiring can flourish.

This approach is especially vital for twice-exceptional and gifted children. These children may have strengths in certain areas, but also face challenges in others. A traditional approach that concentrates mainly on “fixing” their weaknesses can unintentionally overlook or undervalue their strengths. This can lead to negative self-perceptions, where they may feel defined by their struggles rather than empowered by their abilities. A neuro-affirming approach ensures that both their strengths and challenges are acknowledged and supported, enabling them to grow in a way that nurtures their entire identity.

For parents of 2e children, seeking out neuro-affirming resources is a proactive and thoughtful decision. It’s important to ensure that these children are not only supported through their challenges but also celebrated for their strengths. The right professional can have a profound impact on 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 and Testing for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids in Baltimore and Maryland

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 understand how their child’s giftedness may intersect with neurodivergences like ADHD, learning disabilities, or anxiety, and guide the creation of tailored educational and emotional support strategies. Having a neuropsychologist who is well-versed in 2e can ensure accurate testing and offer insights that lead to meaningful interventions.

Here are some neuropsychologists and testing resources for families in the Baltimore and Maryland area:

• Scarborough Neuropsychology, PC – Located in Baltimore County, Dr. Scarborough is a licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified pediatric neuropsychologist who provides comprehensive neuropsychological, psychological, and psychoeducational evaluations for children, adolescents, and young adults. Her evaluations explicitly include giftedness testing alongside assessments for ADHD, learning disabilities, autism, and executive functioning. She collaborates with school teams, attends IEP meetings, and offers telehealth options—making her a strong fit for Maryland families seeking a thorough, accessible evaluation partner.
• Playful Therapy Connections – Serving Maryland, Virginia, D.C., and beyond, Playful Therapy Connections offers neurodiversity-affirming comprehensive neuropsychological testing for ages 3 through adult, with a special focus on Autism, ADHD, and 2e testing. Their explicitly strength-based, LGBTQ+-affirming team also offers individual therapy, group therapy, and parent coaching—making this a rare one-stop practice for Maryland families navigating the full 2e support landscape.

These professionals provide invaluable expertise in understanding the complex nature of twice-exceptionality, helping families get the insights they need to best support their child’s learning and well-being.

Psychologists for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids in Baltimore and Maryland

Psychologists specializing in giftedness and twice-exceptionality are invaluable resources for families seeking a deeper understanding of their child’s unique cognitive, emotional, and behavioral needs. These professionals provide targeted assessments and interventions that address the complex intersection of strengths and challenges faced by gifted and 2e children—including anxiety, ADHD, learning differences, and social-emotional struggles. By providing both diagnostic clarity and therapeutic support, they ensure children receive the right tools to navigate academic, social, and emotional landscapes.

Here are some excellent psychologists in the Baltimore and Maryland area to check out:

• Quirky Brain, LLC – Based in Rockville and serving clients via telehealth across Maryland, Quirky Brain is founded and led by Morgan, a queer and neurodivergent therapist with nearly a decade of experience. Their practice offers neurodiversity-affirming, LGBTQ+-affirming, trauma-informed therapy and diagnostic services for neurodivergent children (9+), teens, adults, and families. Their Autism and ADHD evaluation services are grounded in the neurodiversity paradigm—meaning assessments are strengths-based and non-pathologizing from the first session.
• Dr. Rebecca Resnik and Associates – A well-established neuropsychology practice serving Maryland, D.C., and Virginia, Dr. Resnik and her team are trusted for their neurodiversity-affirming assessments and educational advocacy. They explicitly support gifted and 2e students, and their advocacy team has extensive experience serving as expert witnesses in due process hearings, IEP support, and school placement recommendations. Their offices are designed to be sensory-friendly and fully ADA accessible, with language-free and motor-free testing options for more inclusive evaluations.

These professionals can offer diagnostic clarity and therapeutic support, helping families understand how to best serve their 2e child’s whole self.

Mental Health Therapists for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids in Baltimore and Maryland

Mental health therapists who specialize in working with gifted and twice-exceptional children play a crucial role in addressing the emotional and psychological needs of these students. Many 2e children carry the invisible weight of anxiety, perfectionism, and feeling chronically misunderstood—long before anyone has named what’s happening for them. Therapists who truly get it don’t just manage symptoms; they help 2e kids understand themselves, build resilience, and grow into who they’re meant to be.

Here are some great mental health therapists in the Baltimore and Maryland area to check out:

• Better Family Therapy – Located in Bethesda and serving the broader Montgomery County area, Better Family Therapy offers neurodiversity-affirming care for neurodivergent adults, teens, kids, and families. Their approach is explicitly about helping clients discover what works for them—understanding that healing from the chronic experience of being told your brain is wrong is its own important part of the therapeutic journey. They specialize in using each client’s unique strengths as the key to healing and reaching their goals.

Finding a therapist who truly understands giftedness and neurodivergence can be transformative. These practices offer the kind of care where your child will feel celebrated, not just supported.

Educational Therapists and Executive Function Coaches for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids in Maryland

Many families with gifted and twice-exceptional children find educational therapists (ETs) and executive functioning coaches to be game-changing resources. While educational therapists address specific learning challenges using specialized techniques, those who focus on executive functioning help students build organization, time management, self-regulation, and problem-solving skills. For 2e kids who are brilliant in some areas and struggle profoundly in others, these professionals provide a bridge between their potential and their daily reality.

Here are some skilled educational therapists and executive functioning professionals for families in the Baltimore and Maryland area:

• Bass Educational Services – Founded by Judy Bass in Olney, Maryland, and widely recognized as a leading full-service consulting group in the DC area for students who learn differently, Bass Educational Services offers executive function and ADHD coaching, academic tutoring, test preparation, and educational advising—all designed specifically for neurodivergent learners. Their team has decades of collective experience working with students with ADHD, ASD, dyslexia, and related learning differences. Bass has won Washington Parent Picks awards for college counseling and ADHD/EF coaching multiple years running, a testament to the trust Maryland families place in their work.

These professionals help 2e kids learn how their own brains work—and build the skills to put that understanding to use every day.

Educational Consultants and Parent Advisors for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids in Maryland

Educational consultants and parent advisors are especially valuable for 2e families navigating a system that wasn’t designed for kids who are bright and struggling at the same time. These professionals bring expertise in school placement, IEP advocacy, homeschool setup, and creative educational problem-solving—helping families find or build environments where their children can actually thrive. In a region as complex as the Maryland/DC metro area, having a knowledgeable guide in your corner can make all the difference.

Here are some skilled educational consultants and advisors for families in the Baltimore and Maryland area:

• Exceptional Educational Solutions – Founded and led by Stephanie Frumkin, M.A. Ed., with 25 years of experience, Exceptional Educational Solutions specializes exclusively in twice-exceptional and gifted/learning different students in grades K–12 across the D.C. metro area, including Maryland and Northern Virginia. EES offers private school placement, public school IEP and 504 advocacy, homeschooling setup, and creative solutions for children who are bright, curious, and not being well-served by their current environment. If you’ve ever felt like your child is simultaneously too much and not enough for the schools around you, this practice was built for that family.
• 2edvocate - Founded by Dr. Jennifer Allen, a former teacher, special education director, and head of a school for twice-exceptional students, 2edvocate provides educational consulting, advocacy, and resource navigation through an explicitly neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based lens. Services include educational consulting, IEP and 504 advocacy for special education and gifted students, educational planning, and program development — all tailored to each student’s individual learning profile. Dr. Allen brings both professional expertise and personal experience as the parent of neurodivergent children, giving her a rare understanding of what it feels like to sit on both sides of the IEP table.

A good educational consultant doesn’t just tell you what’s available—they help you imagine what’s possible for your specific child.

Parent Support Groups and Community for Families with Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids in Maryland

Parenting a 2e child can be isolating, and it’s often difficult to find others who truly understand the unique experience of raising a child with both exceptional abilities and challenges. Parent support groups are invaluable for families in this journey, offering a space to share experiences, exchange advice, and find community with people who just get it. Maryland has some nationally recognized parent communities that have been advocating for 2e families for decades.

Here are some great parent support groups and communities for families in the Baltimore and Maryland area:

• GTLD Network – Based in Montgomery County, the GT/LD Network is a volunteer-run nonprofit that has been supporting gifted students who learn differently for over two decades. They hold monthly meetings with guest speakers, weekend family meetups, and annual conferences featuring nationally recognized experts on topics from executive functioning to dyslexia to social-emotional development. Their membership includes parents, students, teachers, school administrators, and clinicians—making it one of the richest 2e communities in the country. If you’re in the DC suburbs of Maryland and haven’t connected with GTLD yet, this is your first call.
• xMinds (Partnership for Extraordinary Minds) — A volunteer-run nonprofit founded by parents of autistic children in Montgomery County, xMinds maintains one of the most comprehensive local resource hubs for neurodivergent families in the DC suburbs. Their website includes curated lists of tutors and service providers who support autistic and neurodivergent students, descriptions of special education programs within Montgomery County Public Schools, interactive maps of program locations, autism trainings for parents and educators, and a community calendar of local events.
• 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.

Occupational Therapists for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids in Maryland

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 executive functioning in daily life. A skilled OT doesn’t just work on motor tasks—they help children develop the foundational skills that make learning, socializing, and navigating everyday life possible. For 2e kids whose sensory and motor profiles can be as uneven as their academic ones, OT can be genuinely life-changing.

Here are some great occupational therapists for gifted and 2e kiddos in the Baltimore and Maryland area:

• The Point Occupational Therapy – Based in Montgomery County and serving surrounding areas, The Point OT delivers pediatric occupational therapy directly in children’s natural environments—homes, schools, preschools, daycares, and community settings. Their evidence-based, family-centered approach covers sensory processing and integration, fine motor development, self-regulation, handwriting, executive functioning, and school readiness. What sets them apart for 2e families is their commitment to skill carryover: by working where children actually live and learn, they build strategies that stick beyond the therapy room.
• Children at Play (Annapolis / Anne Arundel County) — A pediatric OT clinic in Annapolis serving families throughout Anne Arundel County, including Crofton, Severna Park, Gambrills, Crownsville, Edgewater, Davidsonville, Odenton, and Arnold. Their explicitly neurodiversity-affirming, play-based, child-led approach uses sensory integration principles to address fine motor skills, handwriting, balance, gross motor skills, coordination, and sensory processing. Services include individual OT sessions, OT evaluations, small group sessions, and sensory-social groups. Free phone consultations available.
• Kids Thrive Therapy (Timonium / Baltimore area) — A pediatric OT practice serving the greater Baltimore area, voted Best of Towson 2022–2025. Their team includes therapists with specific training in neurodiversity-affirming OT supports and strategies. In addition to individual OT sessions, they offer the EXERSHINEkids Power Bootcamp — a group program developed by an OT with lived sensory-processing experience, using exercise to build strength, self-regulation, and sensory processing in neurodivergent children.

By seeking out specialized OT services, parents can help their 2e children build the foundational skills that support confidence, independence, and daily success.

Speech-Language Pathologists for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids in Maryland

Speech and language therapy supports far more than pronunciation. For many 2e kids, SLP work touches on social communication, executive functioning, language processing, and the ability to express the complex ideas swirling inside their minds. A neurodivergent-affirming SLP understands that the goal is not to make a child communicate in a neurotypical way, but to help them communicate in a way that is authentic and effective for them.

Here are some great speech-language pathologists for gifted and 2e kiddos in the Baltimore and Maryland area:

• Growing Together Pediatric Speech Therapy – Growing Together offers in-home speech-language therapy across Maryland with a deep focus on neurodivergent children. The founder, Megan, is trained in the SCERTS Model and is a certified Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) clinician, meaning her approach is built around how neurodivergent children actually communicate and develop. She also runs play groups and caregiver education groups, making this a practice that supports the whole family, not just the child.
• Spectrum Speech Therapy – Located in Lutherville in Baltimore County, Spectrum Speech Therapy serves children and families with comprehensive, evidence-based speech-language services. Their team of licensed SLPs addresses articulation, language, apraxia, fluency, auditory processing, autism spectrum disorders, and executive function—a wide range that makes them well-suited to the complex, multi-layered profiles common in 2e children. Their mission centers on helping every individual communicate with confidence and clarity in a supportive, compassionate environment.

By seeking out specialized SLP services, parents can help their 2e children develop the communication skills they need to advocate for themselves and connect meaningfully with the world.

Advocates, Lawyers, and IEP Help for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids in Maryland

Many families with gifted and twice-exceptional children find advocates, lawyers, and IEP specialists to be essential resources. Having a dedicated advocate or attorney who understands the nuances of both giftedness and disability can make the difference between a child who is finally seen and one who continues to be misunderstood.

Here are some professionals who can offer this kind of support in the Baltimore and Maryland area:

• Shefter Law, P.A. – Founded by Frances Shefter, a former special education teacher turned education attorney and IEP advocate, Shefter Law serves families in Maryland, D.C., Virginia, and Florida. Frances brings a uniquely empathetic perspective to special education law—she has been praised by families for championing the “village” around neurodivergent kids and helping parents navigate IEP processes with less stress and more confidence. Their firm offers free initial case analyses and is known for getting meaningful accommodations for 2e, ADHD/ASD, and learning-different students who were being underserved by their schools.
• Law Offices of Mark B. Martin, P.A. – A Baltimore-based special education law firm with over 20 years of experience practicing exclusively in Maryland, the Law Offices of Mark B. Martin brings deep knowledge of how each Maryland county school system operates, what services and programs each county provides, and how to advocate effectively within and outside of those systems. Their approach begins with collaboration and negotiation, and they do not hesitate to pursue legal remedies—including due process hearings—when necessary to secure a child’s right to an appropriate education.

You don’t have to navigate the IEP process alone. These professionals exist to stand in your corner and ensure your child gets what they’re entitled to.

Tutors for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids in Maryland

Many 2e and gifted children need more than classroom instruction—they need a tutor who gets them. The best tutors for 2e kids aren’t just content experts; they understand how differently-wired brains learn, how to build confidence alongside skills, and how to make the material genuinely engaging for a student who may have been told they’re lazy or unmotivated when they’re actually just misunderstood.

Here are some great tutoring resources for gifted and 2e students in the Baltimore and Maryland area:

• Dyslexia Tutoring Program – Located at The Rotunda in Baltimore, the Dyslexia Tutoring Program provides free screening assessments and tutoring services for children and adults with dyslexia or language-based learning disabilities who meet income requirements. Using trained tutors and evidence-based structured literacy approaches, DTP has been serving the Baltimore community for decades—making expert support accessible regardless of a family’s financial situation.
• LINKZ (Columbia / Frederick — in-person & virtual statewide) — A family-run Maryland tutoring and coaching center with locations in Columbia and Frederick, serving families across all major Maryland counties. An official International Dyslexia Association provider, LINKZ specializes in dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia tutoring using Orton-Gillingham and structured literacy methods, alongside ADHD and executive functioning coaching and family counseling. Their neurodivergent-affirming model matches each student with a tutor suited to their individual learning profile. Free consultation available.
• Reading Remedy Tutor — Founded by Leslie Herrera in Germantown, Reading Remedy Tutor serves Montgomery County families in Gaithersburg, Rockville, Germantown, North Potomac, and Olney with individualized dyslexia tutoring using the Wilson Reading System — an Orton-Gillingham-based, IDA-accredited structured literacy program. Leslie created the practice specifically to address the needs of students who struggle with reading, and virtual sessions are available. If you’re in the DC suburbs of Maryland and your child is struggling with decoding, fluency, or spelling, this is a strong and accessible option.
• Kids Up Reading Tutors — A virtual structured literacy practice serving Maryland families statewide via Zoom, Kids Up Reading Tutors specializes in dyslexia and dysgraphia support for students in grades 1–12 using the Science of Reading and Orton-Gillingham methods. Each student is paired with a dedicated tutor for consistent 1-on-1 sessions, with a focus on building decoding, fluency, spelling, and reading confidence. Their fully online model makes them especially practical for homeschool families or those in areas with limited local options.

The right tutor doesn’t just help your child keep up—they help them discover what they’re actually capable of.

Secular Homeschool Groups for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Families in Maryland

For many 2e and gifted families in Maryland, homeschooling becomes a path forward when traditional schools can’t meet their child’s needs. Finding a secular, inclusive homeschool community—one that’s welcoming of neurodivergent kids and doesn’t require families to navigate religious frameworks—can be the difference between homeschooling in isolation and homeschooling with real community support.

Here are some great secular homeschool groups for gifted and 2e families in the Baltimore and Maryland area:

• Sligo Creek Cooperative (SCC) – A secular, inclusive educational cooperative serving homeschooling families in Montgomery County, Washington D.C., and surrounding areas, Sligo Creek Co-op offers classes for children ages 5–18 on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Silver Spring. The co-op is parent-led, collaborative, and known for being welcoming to neurodivergent and differently-wired learners.
• BRANCH Homeschool – BRANCH (Baltimore Regional Area Network of Creative Homeschoolers) is a diverse homeschool network in the Baltimore area providing space for community, support, and social engagement. Children participate in child-directed activities in an open gym setting, with a focus on building friendships and community in a low-pressure, play-centered environment. BRANCH is a wonderful starting point for Baltimore-area families who are new to homeschooling and looking to connect with other families.
• Passport to Learning – A large, inclusive, secular co-op in Columbia, MD, Passport to Learning offers classes for kids from pre-K through high school and serves families across Howard County and surrounding areas. Their inclusive approach makes them a natural fit for families with 2e or neurodivergent learners who are looking for a co-op community with academic structure and social connection.

These secular communities offer what many 2e homeschool families need most: the chance to learn alongside other kids, supported by parents who genuinely understand the journey.

Food, Nutrition, and ARFID Support for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids in Maryland

Feeding challenges are far more common in neurodivergent children than most people realize—and ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) and extreme selective eating are particularly prevalent among 2e kids with sensory processing differences, anxiety, or autism. Mealtimes can become one of the most stressful parts of a family’s day. Finding a pediatric dietitian or feeding specialist who understands the neurodivergent experience—not one who just tells you to “keep offering new foods”—is a genuine gift.

Here are some great food, nutrition, and ARFID resources for families in the Baltimore and Maryland area:

• Dr. Daisy & Co. – A Maryland-based pediatric dietitian practice specializing in picky eating, selective eating, ARFID, and neurodivergent nutrition, Dr. Daisy & Co. takes a behavioral, neuro-sensory, and nutritional approach to feeding challenges. Their team explicitly specializes in working with kids with autism, ADHD, OCD, and sensory differences, and they work with families in their homes to address feeding in the real context where it actually matters. If your family’s mealtimes are a source of daily stress, this practice was built for you.
• Food Freedom Nutrition Group — Founded by Rebecca Thomas, RD, LDN in Lutherville Timonium, Food Freedom Nutrition Group specializes in ARFID, selective eating, and pediatric feeding disorders. Rebecca is the creator of the B.R.A.V.E. program (Better Recovery for ARFID and Very Picky Eating) and spent years as the adolescent outpatient dietitian at the Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt in Baltimore — making her one of the most credentialed ARFID specialists in Maryland. Her approach is pressure-free, non-shaming, and grounded in real, lasting food expansion.

Feeding challenges are real, they are not your fault, and they respond well to the right kind of support. These specialists understand the full picture.

College Application Help for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids in Maryland

The college application process is stressful for any student—but for 2e and neurodivergent teens, it can feel overwhelming in ways that neurotypical students rarely experience. Deadlines, essays, executive functioning demands, and the challenge of finding a campus that will actually support their learning profile all stack up at once. College consultants who specialize in neurodivergent students don’t just know the process; they know which schools have the support structures that will let your child thrive after they arrive.

Here are some great college application resources for gifted and 2e students in the Baltimore and Maryland area:

• Top College Consultants – Founded by Dr. Eric Endlich, a clinical psychologist and IECA award-winning educational consultant, Top College Consultants specializes in guiding neurodivergent students through the college application and transition process. Their team includes Jamey Becker, a former Director of College Counseling at Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore where 1 in 4 students were neurodivergent—bringing direct Maryland experience to the practice. TCC also maintains a free database of neurodiversity-friendly colleges and has presented for Young Scholars Academy directly on college prep for 2e students.
• LD College Expert — April Miller is a Maryland-based independent educational consultant and nationally certified speech-language pathologist with over 20 years of experience working with neurodivergent students. Her specialty is guiding students with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, language processing disorders, and nonverbal learning disabilities through the college planning and application process — from building self-awareness and finding right-fit schools to navigating the application itself. Baltimore-area families have praised her directly for her compassionate, deeply personalized approach.

The right college fit isn’t just about acceptance—it’s about finding a place where your child can belong, be supported, and actually succeed.

Schools for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids in Baltimore and Maryland

For many 2e and gifted children, finding the right school environment is the single most important thing a family can do. Traditional schools, even with the best intentions, often struggle to serve a child who is gifted and has a learning disability simultaneously—their programs operate in silos, leaving 2e kids without the full picture of support they need. Fortunately, the Baltimore and Maryland area has some exceptional specialized schools designed with exactly these kids in mind.

Here are some great school options for gifted and 2e students in the Baltimore and Maryland area:

• Baltimore Lab School – A nationally recognized nonpublic special education school serving grades 1–12 in Baltimore City, Baltimore Lab School serves bright students with learning differences including ADHD, dyslexia, and autism. With an average class size of six students and an arts-enhanced, hands-on curriculum, BLS uses visual and performing arts as the gateway to academics—building attention, organizational skills, language, math, and above all, self-confidence. Students can be privately enrolled or publicly funded through their local school system, making this a realistic option for families across the Baltimore area.
• The Siena School – Located in Silver Spring and serving grades 4–12, The Siena School offers a rich educational program for bright, college-bound students with language-based learning differences such as dyslexia. Their program is designed around the understanding that these students are intelligent and capable—and that the right specialized instruction and environment can unlock that potential entirely. For 2e families in the DC suburbs who need a rigorous academic environment with genuine learning support, Siena is a highly regarded option.
• Wye River Upper School — Located in Centreville, MD and serving grades 8–12, Wye River Upper School is a private college-preparatory school built specifically for bright students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, anxiety, and other learning differences. With an average class size of eight and a 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio, their program is structured, strengths-based, and explicitly designed for students who have struggled in traditional settings. Graduates go on to two- and four-year college programs, and juniors and seniors can earn college credit while still enrolled.

Choosing the right school for your 2e child can be transformative. These schools don’t just accommodate differences—they build programs around them.

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

Gifted and twice-exceptional children thrive in environments that support their intellectual, social, and emotional growth. Social groups, enrichment programs, and virtual communities offer 2e kids the opportunity to build real friendships, develop emotional skills, and explore their passions in a neuro-affirming setting—without the social exhaustion that often comes with environments designed for neurotypical kids.

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 – Young Scholars Academy is a virtual village that offers strength-based enrichment courses and community for 5–18-year-old gifted, twice-exceptional, and bright, differently-wired kiddos to empower 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 niche deep-dives that they usually have to explore alone. These neuro-affirming courses allow 2e children to dive into their passions, build confidence, and thrive socially—all from the comfort of home.

Picture a place where your child fits in, is celebrated, mentored, and loves learning the unique content that 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—from neuropsychologists and educational therapists to parent communities and OT/SLP specialists—families across Maryland can create a nurturing environment where their children feel seen, understood, and empowered to reach their fullest potential.

Across the Baltimore metro and DC suburbs, a growing network of specialized professionals and support communities is available to guide families through the complexities of 2e and giftedness. From personalized advocacy and therapy to in-depth neuropsychological assessments and college planning, these resources help ensure that children are not only supported in areas where they struggle, but also celebrated for their remarkable gifts.

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 Baltimore and Maryland list? 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.