Portland Neuro-Affirming Resources for Twice-Exceptional (2e) and Gifted Kids

Supporting a twice-exceptional (2e) 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 or near Portland, finding the right professionals and services can be daunting — especially while navigating Oregon’s Talented and Gifted (TAG) identification system, IEPs, and 504 plans. 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 Greater Portland — including the metro area across the Columbia River into Southwest Washington — 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. 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.

DISCLAIMER — While we’ve made every effort to ensure the quality of these resources, 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

For families of gifted and twice-exceptional children, working with psychologists who specialize in the unique cognitive and emotional profiles of 2e kids is a crucial first step. These specialists conduct comprehensive psychoeducational and neuropsychological evaluations that go beyond standard assessments to uncover both strengths and challenges. In Oregon, a formal evaluation can be essential for initiating TAG identification, securing an IEP or 504 plan, and accessing the educational accommodations your child deserves. Here are some excellent assessment resources in the Portland area:

Webb Psychological Services is a Portland-metro assessment practice with offices in Tigard, OR and Camas, WA, offering comprehensive 2e evaluations, ADHD testing, autism assessments, learning differences evaluations, and IEE (Independent Educational Evaluations) for children, adolescents, and young adults. Their team of psychologists — including Dr. Liliya Webb and Dr. Marisol Beaulac — takes a deeply individualized approach that goes beyond test scores to capture the full picture of how a child’s strengths and struggles intersect, providing families with clear, actionable recommendations for home and school.

Dr. Maria Berman, Ph.D. LLC is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Portland specializing in the assessment of gifted and twice-exceptional learners. Prior to moving to Oregon, Dr. Berman worked at the renowned Summit Center in California — one of the nation’s leading gifted/2e organizations — giving her rare and deep expertise in identifying and understanding complex 2e profiles. She provides evaluations ranging from focused IQ testing to comprehensive psychological and educational assessments, with a genuine understanding of how giftedness, perfectionism, and emotional intensity can mask or complicate a child’s presentation.

Mind Map Psychoeducational Services is a Portland-area psychological assessment clinic specializing in evaluations for learning differences (including dyslexia), ADHD, autism, giftedness, anxiety, and depression for children, teens, and young adults. Founded by Dr. Hila Pazner, who holds a PhD in educational psychology from UC Berkeley and has worked across school districts and children’s clinics in Portland, Mind Map combines rigorous assessment expertise with a warm, practical approach to helping families understand their child’s unique learning profile and act on those findings at school.

Educational Therapists and Executive Functioning Coaches for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Many families with gifted and twice-exceptional children find both educational therapists and executive functioning coaches to be invaluable resources. Educational therapists address specific learning challenges using specialized techniques that help a child understand their own learning. Executive functioning coaches focus on the skills — organization, time management, task initiation, emotional regulation — that are critical for success in school and life. For 2e kids, these professionals can be transformational. Here are some great options in the Portland area:

Strive Learning Solutions is a Portland-based tutoring agency that specializes in supporting neurodivergent learners with dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and other learning differences. Their team of educators — most holding advanced degrees with 5+ years of experience — are trained in Orton-Gillingham, executive function coaching, and evidence-based interventions, and are matched personally to each student’s needs. Strive also offers IEP assistance and monthly teacher check-ins, making them a strong bridge between home, school, and clinical support for 2e families across Portland.

Karin Bright is a Portland-based Executive Functioning Coach supporting students and adults with ADHD/ADD, learning differences, and complex organizational needs. Karin helps clients get organized — both their minds and their environments — accomplish goals, meet deadlines, and build routines that actually work for their brains. Her practical, individualized approach has made her a trusted resource for Portland-area families navigating the unique challenges that come with twice-exceptionality.

Parent Support Coaches, Advisors, and Groups for Families with Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Parenting a 2e child can sometimes feel isolating — and finding others who truly understand your family’s experience is priceless. Parent support groups and advisors help families navigate Oregon’s educational system, understand their child’s profile, and connect with community. Here are some excellent parent resources:

Oregon Association for Talented and Gifted (OATAG) is Oregon’s statewide advocacy organization for gifted and talented children and their families, serving parents, educators, and communities since the 1980s. OATAG hosts TAG Talks, a free online webinar series addressing practical gifted education topics; provides resources and grant opportunities for students and educators; and advocates at the state level for stronger gifted education policy. For Portland-area families new to Oregon’s TAG system or navigating the PPS TAG identification process, OATAG is the essential starting place.

TAG PDX (Portland TAG parent resource site) is a community-maintained website and information hub for Talented and Gifted families in the Portland area, curated by longtime Portland TAG advocate Margaret DeLacy. TAG PDX connects families to local and national resources, Facebook groups for Portland TAG and 2e parents, guidance on the PPS TAG process, and a wide library of links to gifted education information — all grounded in the specific context of Portland Public Schools and Oregon state law.

Young Scholars Academy Parent Social Club offers a welcoming virtual space for parents of gifted and twice-exceptional children to connect, celebrate wins, and work through challenges together. Through engaging discussions and community-building activities, the club provides ongoing support and connection for parents navigating this unique journey — and it’s fully accessible to Portland families from the comfort of home.

Therapists and Psychologists for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Many 2e children face anxiety, emotional intensity, perfectionism, or social difficulties that require dedicated therapeutic support alongside their academic journey. Psychologists and therapists who specialize in giftedness and neurodiversity bring a crucial neuro-affirming lens to these challenges. Here are some excellent options in the Portland area:

With Connection is a Portland therapy clinic on NE Broadway dedicated to children, families, and parents — including those navigating neurodivergence, giftedness, twice-exceptionality, and the emotional intensity that often accompanies bright, asynchronous kids. Using play therapy, attachment-based family therapy, EMDR, and somatic approaches, their team creates a cozy, non-judgmental space where neurodivergent children feel genuinely understood rather than redirected.

Wild Peloria is a Clackamas-area child, adolescent, adult, and family mental health practice — founded in 2025 — grounded in neurodivergent-affirming, trauma-informed, and relationship-centered care. Their team specializes in play therapy, PCIT, attachment-based family therapy, and nature-based therapy, supporting children, teens, and parents who feel like they don’t quite fit in. Wild Peloria is an especially strong fit for highly sensitive or intensely emotional children — the kids with big feelings who need a therapist who genuinely celebrates how they’re wired.

Occupational and Speech-Language Therapists for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Occupational therapy (OT) and speech-language pathology (SLP) are vital resources for many 2e and gifted children, particularly those who experience challenges with sensory processing, fine motor skills, social communication, or daily living tasks. These therapies build essential life skills and can make a profound difference in a child’s ability to navigate school and the world. Here are some great options in the Portland area:

Advanced Pediatric Therapies is a Portland and Vancouver, WA occupational therapy practice with over 23 years of experience specializing in sensory processing differences. Their highly trained OTs use a multi-faceted, relationship-based approach designed to unlock each child’s potential through play, and their inviting clinic spaces feature state-of-the-art sensory equipment. APT is also honored to serve as a National Mentor Site for the Therapeutic Listening Program, a powerful tool for supporting regulation and attention in neurodivergent children.

Whole Circle Pediatric Therapy is a Portland OT and speech therapy practice focused on the whole child and their relationship with the world around them. Their occupational therapists have advanced training in sensory integration and assessment, supporting children with sensory processing, executive function, emotional regulation, motor skills, and ADHD — and their SLP team works with speech, language, feeding, and social communication challenges. Whole Circle’s collaborative, family-centered approach ensures that therapy plans make sense and work in real life, not just in the clinic.

Beech Street Speech is a Portland SLP practice with a team of certified speech-language pathologists offering neurodiversity-affirming care across a wide range of specialties — including Gestalt Language Processing, Orton-Gillingham-trained literacy support, AAC, social communication and pragmatics, childhood apraxia of speech, and early language development. Beech Street is a particularly strong fit for twice-exceptional children whose language and communication needs don’t fit neatly into one category.

Food, Nutrition, and ARFID Support

ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) is far more common among neurodivergent and twice-exceptional children than many families realize — and far more than “picky eating.” Sensory sensitivities, anxiety around food, and limited food repertoires can significantly affect a 2e child’s nutrition, growth, social life, and daily wellbeing. Specialized dietitians and feeding therapists who understand the neurodivergent brain are essential partners in supporting these kids without pressure or shame. Here is a strong local resource in the Portland area:

NW Pediatric & Family Nutrition is a weight-inclusive, non-diet group practice of registered dietitians with offices in Portland (SW Skyline Blvd) and Bend, specializing in pediatric nutrition, ARFID, eating disorder recovery, and neurodivergent feeding. Founded by Katharine Jeffcoat, RDN, who spent over eight years as a pediatric dietitian at Legacy Emanuel Hospital before opening her private practice in 2015, the team helps children and teens with ARFID gradually rebuild their relationship with food through individualized nutrition counseling, gentle exposure work, and Family-Based Treatment approaches — all without pressure or shame.

Schools for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

For many 2e and gifted children, traditional classroom settings may not provide the right kind of support or challenge. Fortunately, there are school options in and around Portland designed with these learners in mind — environments where a child’s unique wiring is understood as a strength, not a problem to manage. Here are some great options:

ACCESS Academy is a Portland Public Schools alternative program for highly gifted students in grades 2–8, serving students who score in the 99th percentile on a nationally-normed cognitive ability test and whose needs are not being met at their neighborhood school. A vibrant community of approximately 350 gifted learners, ACCESS provides curriculum acceleration, enrichment, and social-emotional support in a setting where kids finally find their intellectual peers.

Catlin Gabel School is Portland’s premier independent progressive school (Preschool–12), ranked #1 private high school in Oregon and nationally recognized as a leader in progressive education. With a 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio, a 67-acre campus, and a curriculum built around critical thinking, creativity, and student agency, Catlin Gabel is a natural fit for intellectually driven students who need a learning environment that matches their depth and pace. The school is also one of only 50 nationwide to offer the Malone Scholars Program, providing need-based scholarships for gifted students in grades 7–12.

Advocates, IEP Support, and Education Consultants

Navigating Oregon’s special education system — including TAG identification, IEP and 504 plan development, and advocacy under Oregon’s education laws — can feel like learning a new language overnight. Families of gifted and 2e children often need knowledgeable support to ensure their child’s rights are upheld and that the system works for their child rather than against them. Here are some professionals who can help:

Paulette Selman Advocacy is a Portland-based special education advocate and former school psychologist who helps families navigate the IEP and 504 process with clarity and confidence. Drawing on her deep insider knowledge of how schools think and communicate, Paulette helps parents understand their child’s rights, interpret assessment results, prepare for IEP meetings, and build productive collaborative relationships with school teams — reducing the need for legal intervention while still advocating firmly for children’s needs.

FACT Oregon is Oregon’s federally funded Family-to-Family Health Information Center, providing free special education support, IEP help, and disability resources to families across Oregon from childhood through adulthood. FACT Oregon offers personalized support, in-person and virtual trainings, advocacy resources, and a comprehensive knowledge library covering IEPs, 504 plans, DD services, inclusive education, and family rights — all in plain language that empowers parents to advocate effectively with confidence.

College Applications and Support for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Navigating the college application process with a 2e or gifted profile requires a different kind of support — one that understands how to showcase a student’s remarkable strengths while honestly addressing their learning differences, and how to find college environments where neurodivergent students don’t just survive but thrive.

Top College Consultants is a national virtual college consulting practice led by Dr. Eric Endlich, a clinical psychologist with deep expertise in helping twice-exceptional and neurodivergent students navigate college preparation, applications, and transition. Their team — including consultants with IECA Learning Differences specialty designations — helps students find colleges with the right level of disability support, craft authentic applications that reflect their 2e profile, and prepare for the very different landscape of college accommodations. They have presented for Young Scholars Academy and maintain a comprehensive free resource library and database of neurodiversity-friendly colleges.

Tutors for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

For many 2e families, a specialized tutor who understands neurodivergence is a game-changer — offering one-on-one personalized support that a classroom simply cannot provide. The right tutor can meet a child where they are, build on their strengths, and give them the tools to bridge the gaps. Here are some options:

PDX Dyslexia Intervention is a Portland dyslexia tutoring practice led by Miranda, who is both dyslexic and has ADHD herself, bringing a uniquely personal and empowering perspective to her work. Miranda and her team are Barton Certified, using one of the most trusted Orton-Gillingham-influenced reading and spelling systems to provide 1:1 dyslexia intervention for children who learn differently — with a firm belief that their students are capable, bright, and wonderfully unique. Sessions are available in-person in the Portland area.

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

Gifted and twice-exceptional children thrive in environments that celebrate their unique strengths and provide opportunities for intellectual and social growth. Social connection groups, enrichment programs, and communities of like-minded peers can be especially transformative for 2e kids who may have struggled to find where they belong. Here are some wonderful options:

Mind Outlet (Virtual) — Michelle Ptacek 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 intellectual community and social-emotional scaffolding rarely available in traditional settings. For families whose schedules don’t align with the group homerooms, she also offers 1:1 instruction. For families who aren’t in the Davidson Young Scholars program, she provides general gifted homerooms.

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 — empowering them to develop their strengths, make like-minded friends, and thrive under the loving care of mentors. With over 150 unique subjects ranging from conceptual physics, AP courses, and executive function skills to Minecraft, Roblox, and Anime, YSA challenges students at their own level while connecting them with peers who share their passions. The magic? Portland families can access all of it from home, connecting your child with a global community of brilliant, quirky kids who finally feel like they’ve found their people.

Picture a place where your child fits in, is celebrated, mentored, and loves learning the content they crave. That is happening every day at YSA for hundreds of families — and it can happen for your family too. Explore YSA here.

Conclusion

Supporting twice-exceptional and gifted children in Portland requires a thoughtful, holistic approach that honours both their strengths and their challenges. By connecting with neuro-affirming resources — from neuropsychologists and educational therapists to parent support groups, advocates, and enrichment communities — families can create an environment where their child feels seen, understood, and empowered to reach their fullest potential.

Oregon’s TAG system, with its identification processes and IEP and 504 protections, offers important pathways for children with learning differences and those who are highly gifted. But knowing your rights and finding the right professionals to support your journey makes all the difference. The resources in this guide are here to help.

Remember: the path to success for 2e and gifted children involves recognizing both their strengths and their 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 — exactly 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 Portland 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, 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.