Many LD gifted students are never identified because their abilities and disabilities mask each other. In other words, their exceptional strengths and weaknesses add together to equal average abilities. The following list of characteristics may help you identify LD/G/T students. It comes from a presentation at Purdue (2001) called "Twice Exceptional/LD" and a lecture by Dr. Vicki Vaughn (2001).

POSITIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF GIFTED STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES:

• High abstract reasoning ability.
• Good mathematical reasoning ability.
• Keen visual memory, spatial skills.
• Advanced vocabulary.
• Sophisticated sense of humor.
• Imaginative and creative.
• Insightful.
• Exceptional ability in "hands-on" activities.
• Good problem-finding and solving skills.
• Grasp of metaphors, analogies, and satire.
• Comprehension of complex systems.
• High motivation (restricted to areas of interest).
• Repertoire of self-compensatory strategies.
• Good memory in areas of interest.
• Use verbal skills to avoid or cover-up disability.

NEGATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF G/T STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES:

• Distractibility and/or disorganization.
• Supersensitivity.
• Difficulty with memorization, computation, phonics, and/or spelling.
• Perfectionism.
• Unreasonable self expectations.
• Disruptive behavior due to being forced to learn in an uncomfortable style.
• Often perceived by teachers as "lazy."
• Low self-esteem; feelings of inadequacy.
• Frustrated by school.
• Short attention span.
• Bored with regular curriculum.
• React negatively to criticism.
• Deny there's a problem.
• Impaired short term or long term memory.