Excerpt:
When a child is both gifted and struggling, school can feel like a constant mismatch. A 7-year-old who taught himself the Russian alphabet at 2 may thrive on puzzles and advanced math at home, yet be seen as “defiant” or “refusing work” in class. For twice-exceptional kids, behavior is often communication — a signal of boredom, overwhelm, or sensory overload. In this Ask Kate, I share insights as a mom and special education teacher on why gifted children may struggle with social pragmatics, how uneven skills drive frustration, and what parents and teachers can do to make school days happier and more supportive.

Early readers wanted! Download your free ARC of Pip the Plover and the Dune Grass Path, a beautifully illustrated children’s book inspired by real coastal wildlife.

Discover how a simple bedtime gratitude ritual helped me and my daughter navigate a painful season—and how you can begin your own healing practice today. Learn more about the Garden of Gratitude journal.

Summer isn’t always carefree. For families like mine, it means rethinking routines, avoiding overload, and honoring what our neurodivergent kids truly need. This isn’t about missing out—it’s about showing up differently.

What if being a good parent means being a good student? In this post, I share how embracing lifelong learning helps me grow as a mom, artist, and educator.

What if regulation isn’t a solo skill? This post explores why co-regulation matters, how the nervous system works, and what actually helps when kids can’t calm alone.