REEL

06/04/2026

At REEL, we often talk about the power of seeing and supporting children for who they truly are. Few people embody that more than our co-founder, Callie Turk.

In this heartfelt Voices of Compassion podcast episode with CHC, Callie reflects on raising her transgender daughter and the lessons that journey has taught her about listening, learning, letting go of assumptions, and loving fiercely.

Her story is a powerful reminder that parenting isn't about having all the answers. It's about creating a space where our children feel safe enough to become who they are.

Thank you, Callie, for sharing your family's journey so openly and for reminding all of us that growth is something parents and children often do together.

❤️ Give it a listen. You may find pieces of your own story in hers.
https://www.chconline.org/resourcelibrary/parenting-with-pride-showing-up-for-your-lgbtqia-child/

06/03/2026

"Needs to apply himself."

Many parents of twice-exceptional learners have heard some version of this before.

But what if the challenge isn't your child's ability or motivation?

In our latest blog, historian and executive functioning coach Maxwell Greenberg explores how modern schools were designed around a particular type of learner—and why many 2e students experience school differently.

It's a powerful reminder that what schools sometimes label as a deficit may actually be a mismatch.

Read more and discover a new way to understand your child's experience.
https://www.reel2e.org/post/schooling-and-other-unnatural-acts-what-history-can-tell-us-about-the-2eeducational-experience

05/29/2026

As the school year wraps up, and before summer begins, this is the best time to capture what worked.

Over the past year, your child, their teachers, and your family have learned a lot about what helps your child thrive. But if you don't document those insights now, they can easily get lost over the summer.

In our latest article, REEL parent Teresa Nair shares a simple end-of-year strategy: gather feedback from both your child and their teachers about which accommodations, supports, and classroom strategies made the biggest difference this year.

The goal isn't to make changes right now—it's to collect valuable data that can help your child start next year with confidence and stronger self-advocacy.

A few conversations today can make next fall's transition much smoother.

Read the article: https://www.reel2e.org/post/end-of-year-check-in-gathering-data-to-set-your-child-up-for-success

05/28/2026

Your child seems to be doing "fine" at school, but something doesn't quite add up.

Your child is bright and capable, yet struggles with friendships, self-esteem, anxiety, or challenges that don't show up on a report card.

There's a quiet feeling that there's more to the story.

Does this sound familiar to you?

In this personal reflection, one parent shares the long road to understanding her twice-exceptional child from years of hearing he was "on level" to finally uncovering the ADHD, anxiety, and giftedness that had been hiding in plain sight.

If this story resonates with you, you're not alone.

💛 Your instincts matter.
💛 "Fine" doesn't always mean thriving.
💛 It's okay to keep asking questions.

Read the full story: https://www.reel2e.org/post/late-identification-of-a-2e-child-a-letter-to-the-parent-i-used-to-be

05/22/2026

Energy dysregulation isn’t misbehavior—it’s communication.

In this blog, we explore how neurodivergent and twice-exceptional (2e) students experience energy and emotional regulation—and why so many of their responses are misunderstood.

Featuring insights from Emily Kircher-Morris, this piece reframes what we often label as “unexpected behavior” and offers practical, strengths-based strategies to better support students in the moments that matter most.

✨ Normalize dysregulation—it’s a human thing
✨ Focus on capacity, not compliance
✨ Build co-regulation before expecting self-regulation

When we shift how we interpret behavior, we change how students experience school—and themselves.

Learn how to normalize responses here: https://www.reel2e.org/post/energy-regulation-unexpected-behaviors-normalizing-responses-in-neurodivergent-students

05/22/2026

📣 We want to hear from you.

Each year, the REEL Community Survey helps shape the topics, resources, events, and supports we create for neurodivergent and twice-exceptional learners and their families.

What challenges are you navigating right now? What kinds of support, conversations, or resources would feel most meaningful in the year ahead?

Your voice truly helps guide our work — and we read every response. 💛

As a thank-you, one participant will be selected to receive a $100 Amazon gift card.

🗓 Please complete the survey by 5/22:
https://reeladmin.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?tt=kFJPrXzV%2BwIECHrPeIW9eQ%3D%3D

Thank you for being part of this community.

05/21/2026

🎉 We’re incredibly proud to celebrate our very own Callie Turk, Ed.D. 2026, on her successful doctoral defense!

Callie’s doctoral work, "Creating a Neurodiversity/2e Community of Practice Playbook", reflects so much of REEL — building shared understanding, fostering collaboration, and creating strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming communities that better support twice-exceptional learners.

This work is not only an important contribution to the field of 2e education, but also deeply connected to the heart of REEL’s mission and the collaborative work we continue to build alongside families, educators, and professionals.

We’re so proud of Callie’s leadership, vision, and dedication to advancing meaningful change for neurodivergent and twice-exceptional learners. ❤️

Congratulations Callie!

Congratulations to Callie Turk, Ed.D 2026, on a successful doctoral defense!

Callie’s doctoral work, “Creating a Neurodiversity/2e Community of Practice Playbook,” offers a practical framework for building shared understanding and collaboration in 2e education.

We’re proud to celebrate Callie and her leadership in advancing collaborative, strength-based practice in 2e education.

Explore Elmbridge University’s doctoral programs and learn how our graduate community supports twice-exceptional learners. Visit elmbridge.edu

05/20/2026

Why can a twice-exceptional learner spend hours immersed in a passion project — yet completely shut down when it’s time to start homework?

It’s not laziness. It’s not defiance. It’s neuroscience.

In this conversation from REEL’s 2026 Parent Speaker Series, four experts unpack the brain-based reasons motivation breaks down for 2e learners — and what parents can do to better support activation, regulation, and follow-through without shame or power struggles.

You’ll learn:
- Why motivation and activation are not the same thing
- The dopamine science behind task initiation
- How to identify your child’s unique “sparks” and “blockers”
- A curiosity-first framework for collaborative problem solving
- Why recovery, regulation, and feedback matter more than we think

Watch the recording here: https://www.reel2e.org/post/new-path-to-motivation-for-2e
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05/12/2026

As we continue with Mental Health Awareness Month this May, we recognize that for many families of neurodivergent and twice-exceptional learners, this can be a season filled with anxiety, perfectionism, masking, emotional overwhelm, and school stress.

And sometimes, it’s hard to know what’s really beneath the surface:
Is it ADHD? Anxiety? Or both?

This article written by Licensed Educational Psychologist, Erica Salzman explores why these experiences can look so similar in kids and how understanding the difference can help parents respond with greater clarity, compassion, and support.

Read the full article here: https://www.reel2e.org/post/is-it-adhd-anxiety-or-both-a-quick-guide-for-parents

05/08/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Supporting mental health isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about how we show up.

✔ Lead with curiosity, not assumptions
✔ Focus on strengths, not just challenges
✔ Create space for regulation, not just compliance
✔ Build connection before correction

These small shifts can make a big difference—especially for neurodivergent and twice-exceptional learners.

If you’re looking for a deeper dive, we ran a webinar supporting 2e anxiety—offering practical ways to better understand and respond in those everyday moments that matter most:

👉 https://www.reel2e.org/post/navigating-anxiety-in-2e-learners-therapy-options-and-home-strategies