Greater Newark & Northern New Jersey Neuro-Affirming Resources for Twice-Exceptional (2e) and Gifted Kids

Written By: Michelle Ptacek & Mr. Sam

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 northern and central New Jersey, finding the right professionals and services can be daunting. 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 the greater Newark area—including Newark, Short Hills, Millburn, Montclair, Maplewood, Rumson, and beyond—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. This can lead to negative self-perceptions, where they begin to feel defined by their difficulties rather than empowered by their strengths. 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.

As parents of 2e children, seeking out neuro-affirming resources is an active and conscious choice we need to make in order to ensure that they are not only supported in their challenges but also celebrated for their strengths. The right professional can make all the difference in 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 & Testing for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

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 gain a deeper understanding of how their child’s giftedness may intersect with neurodivergences like ADHD, learning disabilities, or anxiety, and inform the creation of customized educational and emotional support strategies.

Here are some neuropsychologists and testing resources for families in the greater Newark and northern New Jersey area:

• Dr. Ilyse O’Desky and Associates — NJ Neuropsychological Testing Center — Dr. O’Desky holds a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Yeshiva University and completed specialized post-doctoral training in pediatric neuropsychology, and has been recognized by the NJ Psychological Association with both the Applied Researcher of the Year Award and the Psychologist Recognition Award. She is also an Assistant Professor at Kean University and speaks regularly on topics including ADHD, learning differences, and neurodevelopmental profiles.
• Dr. Joshua Shifrin — Neuropsycheval — A New Jersey and New York licensed psychologist, Diplomate of the American Board of School Neuropsychology, and Nationally Certified School Psychologist who specializes in pediatric neuropsychological evaluations for ages 5–25. Dr. Shifrin has a specific focus on twice-exceptional children, using dynamic assessment techniques to understand what a gifted child can do under varied conditions — ensuring that giftedness is not masked by disability, and disability is not overlooked due to giftedness.

Psychologists for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Psychologists specializing in giftedness and twice-exceptionality offer families deeper understanding of their child’s unique cognitive, emotional, and behavioral needs. These professionals provide both diagnostic clarity and therapeutic support, helping children build resilience and navigate the academic, social, and emotional landscapes they encounter every day.

Here are some excellent psychologists in the greater Newark and northern New Jersey area:

• The Neurodiversity Collective — Dr. Matthew “Dr. Matt” Zakreski, PsyD — Dr. Matt is a New Jersey native, co-founder and lead clinician of The Neurodiversity Collective, and one of the most recognized voices in gifted and 2e psychology. A high-energy clinical psychologist and professional speaker, he has delivered over 900 talks worldwide on supporting neurodivergent people in schools, at home, and in the workplace. He specializes in gifted, twice-exceptional, ADHD, autistic, and dyslexic individuals, and his first book — Neurodiversity Playbook: How Neurodivergent People Can Crack the Code of Living in a Neurotypical World — debuted at #1 on Amazon’s gifted education new releases list. He is an active member of NAGC, SENG, and the New Jersey Association for Gifted Children.
• Maplewood Counseling — A New Jersey-based therapy group with deep roots in the Essex County community, offering specialized support for parents of neurodivergent children and teens, including those with autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities. Their therapists bring a community-informed understanding of local schools, pressures, and family dynamics — and their parent support services for families navigating neurodivergence are a meaningful addition to any 2e family’s resource network.
• Michele Opper, PhD — NJ/NY Licensed Psychologist — A licensed psychologist in New Jersey and New York specializing in neuropsychological, psychoeducational, and developmental evaluations for children and adolescents, with a dedicated focus on gifted testing. Dr. Opper understands that gifted children may demonstrate significant differences in language, learning, and emotionality that require a tailored evaluation approach — and her work helps families use results to advocate for their child in the school system, plan for homeschooling, or inform private placements.

Mental Health Therapists for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Mental health therapists who specialize in gifted and 2e children play a crucial role in addressing the emotional and psychological needs of these students. These professionals offer therapeutic support for concerns including anxiety, depression, trauma, and school-related challenges, while also helping children and families navigate their unique complexities through individualized, relationship-based approaches.

Here are some great mental health therapists in the greater Newark and northern New Jersey area:

• Mountains Therapy — Montclair, NJ — A Voted Best Therapist in Montclair (2024 & 2025) neurodiversity-affirming practice offering individual therapy for children, teens, and adults with ADHD, autism, anxiety, and other neurodivergent profiles. Their therapists use evidence-based approaches including CBT, DBT, and executive functioning coaching, and encourage parent participation for children and teens to reinforce strategies at home. In-person sessions in Montclair; telehealth available across New Jersey, North Carolina, Florida, and Utah.
• Center for Twice Exceptional Counseling (Virtual, licensed in NJ) — A practice built entirely around twice-exceptional teens and young adults, offering specialized therapy for the specific social-emotional challenges that come with being both gifted and neurodivergent — including emotional regulation, executive functioning, anxiety, OCD, depression, autism, and ADHD.
• Jennifer Lawrence Art Therapy — NJ — A New Jersey-based play therapy and art therapy practice specializing in children, teens, and young adults with ADHD and twice-exceptionality, offering a depth-oriented approach that goes beyond behavioral management to build awareness, connection, and regulation from the ground up. Jennifer explicitly works with 2e clients — those who are both gifted and neurodivergent — and her model is particularly well-suited for children who have a strong sense of justice, deep need for autonomy, or big reactions that behavior-based methods tend to backfire on.

Educational Therapists & Executive Functioning Support for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Many families with gifted and twice-exceptional children find educational therapists and executive functioning professionals to be invaluable resources. Educational therapists work with children to address specific learning challenges using specialized techniques, while executive functioning coaches help students build skills like organization, time management, self-regulation, and problem-solving. Both types of professionals are dedicated to helping students understand how they learn best. For gifted and 2e kids, these experts are especially valuable because they tailor their approach to the child’s individual strengths and learning style.

Here are some skilled educational therapists and executive functioning support professionals in the greater Newark and northern New Jersey area:

• Evolve Psychological Services — Executive Function Coaching — Evolve’s executive function coaching program serves children, teens, and adults in person in New Jersey and online across the US, offering intake assessments, personalized coaching plans, weekly sessions, and parent collaboration built into every engagement. Their coaches work across ADHD, learning disabilities, and neurodivergent profiles — and their integration with Evolve’s neuropsychological and therapy services means coaching is informed by a whole-child understanding.
• Themba Tutors — New Jersey — A well-regarded educational therapy and executive function coaching service specifically serving Essex County communities including Millburn, Short Hills, Montclair, Maplewood, Newark, and Livingston. Themba specializes in matching neurodivergent students with learning specialists who understand ADHD, sensory differences, and learning disabilities — and their tutors use evidence-based programs including Orton-Gillingham and Wilson/Fundations for students with language-based learning needs.

Occupational Therapists (OT) for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

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 daily living tasks. OT helps children build essential life skills, enhance independence, and boost confidence—creating a strong foundation for emotional, social, and academic success.

Here are some great OT resources for gifted and 2e kiddos in the greater Newark and northern New Jersey area:

• Sensory Therapeutics of NJ — A West Caldwell OT clinic specializing in sensory integration, reflex integration, and neuroscience-based interventions for children, teens, and adults with autism, ADHD, and sensory processing challenges. Their team offers Sensory Integration Therapy, Primitive Reflex Integration, Executive Functioning Training, Emotional Regulation programs, and parent coaching — a remarkably comprehensive offering for families whose 2e children need more than standard OT.
• Great Kids Place — A North Jersey pediatric therapy practice whose OT team brings experience working with children with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, sensory processing challenges, and learning disabilities. What distinguishes Great Kids Place is the genuine integration of a child’s interests and strengths into every session — a philosophy that aligns directly with the neuro-affirming approach that 2e families are looking for, and one that the practice’s therapists bring both professionally and personally.

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Speech-language therapy is an important resource for many 2e and gifted children, particularly those who experience challenges with social communication, language processing, articulation, or the pragmatics of conversation. For neurodivergent children—especially those with language-based learning differences—working with an SLP who takes a neurodiversity-affirming approach can make all the difference.

Here are some great SLP resources for gifted and 2e kiddos in the greater Newark and northern New Jersey area:

• Montclair Speech Therapy — Led by licensed SLP Lori Caplan-Colon, Montclair Speech Therapy offers individualized, comprehensive speech and language services for all ages, specializing in autism, apraxia, language-based learning disabilities, feeding challenges, and social pragmatics. Their team includes therapists with specialized training in AAC devices, Gestalt Language Processing, and executive functioning support — and their annual Easter Egg Hunt and Lunch With Friends programs reflect a genuine community-building philosophy that extends well beyond the therapy room.
• Speech Start NJ — A New Jersey speech-language pathology practice whose team includes therapists certified as Neurodiverse Affirming Care Specialists, with expertise in autism, Gestalt Language Processing, childhood apraxia, AAC, and social pragmatic communication disorders. SLP Rick brings particular depth in AAC and ASD — his graduate thesis examined identity representation in AAC devices for children with autism — and the practice’s commitment to individualized, evidence-based, and affirming care is woven throughout every clinician’s approach.
• Pediatric Therapy NJ — Montclair — A Montclair pediatric therapy practice offering speech and occupational therapy to help children with developmental delays, sensory processing disorders, autism, ADHD, and physical disabilities gain independence and participate fully in daily activities. Their multidisciplinary model allows families to access both OT and SLP under one roof — an important practical benefit for 2e children with interconnected sensory and communication needs.

Schools for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

For many 2e and gifted children, traditional schools may not provide the specific support they need. Fortunately, there are schools in the greater New Jersey area designed to address the unique challenges and strengths of 2e learners, creating environments where children can thrive academically while receiving the individualized support necessary for their development.

Here are some great school options for gifted and 2e students in northern and central New Jersey:

• FlexSchool — Berkeley Heights, NJ — An accredited private school in Berkeley Heights serving gifted and twice-exceptional learners in grades 2–12, FlexSchool is one of the most intentionally 2e-designed school environments in New Jersey. Their model combines small, ability-based discussion classes taught by subject experts, integrated executive functioning support, social-emotional learning, and on-demand counseling — all within a community of intellectual peers where students finally feel understood rather than merely accommodated. FlexSchool also meets all requirements for placement under the New Jersey Naples Act, and their admissions team is experienced at working with district placements.
• The Calais School — Whippany, NJ — Recognized by the New Jersey School Boards Association as one of the “10 Best Programs in New Jersey,” The Calais School’s Twice Exceptional Gifted & Talented (2e) Program was purpose-built for high-ability students who also have special needs. Their strengths-based instructional approach places students’ inherent capabilities at the forefront while providing the necessary academic and therapeutic supports where needed — creating the kind of environment where 2e learners can explore their passions with confidence and develop critical thinking skills that serve them for life.

Secular Homeschool Groups for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Many families of gifted and 2e children find that homeschooling—or hybrid homeschooling—is the right path for their child, whether because of sensory needs, asynchronous development, school avoidance, or simply a desire for greater flexibility and depth. Finding a secular, inclusive community to homeschool alongside can make all the difference, providing both social connection for kids and support for parents navigating this journey.

Here are some secular homeschool community options for families in the greater Newark and northern New Jersey area:

• The Village Electric — Mountainside, NJ — A co-learning center in Mountainside providing a learner-driven environment for PreK–12th grade homeschoolers that catalyzes natural curiosity and nurtures a lifelong love of learning. Located just minutes from Short Hills and Maplewood, The Village Electric offers one of the most intentionally progressive and flexible learning community models in northern New Jersey for homeschool families seeking rigorous enrichment outside the traditional classroom.
• Essex County Inclusive Homeschool Group (Facebook Group) — A local Essex County-based inclusive and secular homeschool community listed on the national Secular Homeschooler directory as one of the primary secular groups serving Newark, Montclair, Maplewood, and surrounding areas. Search “Essex County Inclusive Homeschool Group” directly on Facebook to find and request to join.
• The secular homeschool community in northern New Jersey is growing — and that many of the best groups exist as neighborhood networks and private Facebook communities that shift frequently. If you’re part of a secular, inclusive, or neurodivergent-friendly homeschool group in the Essex County or Monmouth County area that we haven’t listed here, we’d love to hear from you. Drop it in the comments. You might be exactly the resource another family is searching for.

Advocates / IEP Help for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Many families with gifted and twice-exceptional children find advocates and IEP support professionals to be crucial partners in navigating the educational system. Having a knowledgeable advocate in your corner can make all the difference in securing appropriate accommodations, services, and educational plans that truly honor your child’s full profile—both their gifts and their challenges.

Here are some key advocacy resources for families in the greater Newark and northern New Jersey area:

• NJ Special Education Advocate — Michael Flom — An award-winning New Jersey special education advocate with specific expertise in twice-exceptional students — children who are both gifted and have a learning disability, ADHD, or other educational challenge. Michael Flom brings a compassionate approach grounded in his own experience navigating the system, and offers both background advisory services and in-person IEP meeting attendance. His practice emphasizes reducing anxiety for families while making the special education process more understandable and productive.
• Parles Rekem — Denise Dimson Rekem, Esq. — A New Jersey special education attorney whose practice focuses entirely on the representation of individuals with special needs and their families in areas including early intervention, IEP and 504 matters, residential placements, guardianships, and bullying and discipline. Denise brings both professional expertise and personal investment — her own children have ADHD and CAPD, which led her from corporate law to disability advocacy. She has presented at Essex County and statewide conferences on children’s special education rights.
• New Jersey Association for Gifted Children (NJAGC) — New Jersey’s statewide advocacy and community organization for gifted and twice-exceptional children, offering parent resources, an “Advocating for Your Gifted & 2e Child” support group co-chaired by a 2e parent-advocate, and a legislative presence at the state level. NJAGC helps families understand their rights under New Jersey law, navigate the intersection of gifted and special education services, and connect with local advocates and networks across the state. A membership here is one of the most practical first steps any NJ 2e family can take.

Tutors for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Many families with gifted and twice-exceptional children find tutors to be an invaluable resource in supporting their child’s academic journey. Tutors who understand 2e learners can adapt to each child’s individual learning style, providing the right level of challenge while offering support to overcome specific academic hurdles. Whether it’s advancing in a beloved subject or building confidence in a challenging area, the right tutor helps these students shine.

Here are some tutor resources for gifted and 2e students in the greater Newark and northern New Jersey area:

• NJ Dyslexia Solutions — Lynn Chigounis, Davis Method Facilitator — A New Jersey-based dyslexia specialist using the Davis® Method — a non-phonics, image-based approach developed by Ron Davis specifically for visual-spatial, picture-thinking learners who struggle with traditional reading instruction. Lynn works one-on-one with children and adults who have dyslexia, ADHD, and related processing differences, and her approach is rooted in the belief that these learners aren’t broken — they’re wired differently and need tools that match how their brains actually work.
• Essex Literacy Center (Bloomfield & Upper Montclair, NJ) — Founded by Sandra Mouro Marmolejos, a special education and Orton-Gillingham teacher with over sixteen years of experience, the Essex Literacy Center offers multisensory, individualized literacy tutoring for struggling readers and students with dyslexia at locations in Bloomfield and Upper Montclair. All instruction is IMSLEC-certified and grounded in the Orton-Gillingham approach — explicit, prescriptive, and built around each learner’s specific strengths and needs.
• Brooklyn Letters — New Jersey (Essex County, in-home & remote) — A highly regarded structured literacy tutoring service that brings Orton-Gillingham-trained specialists directly to families’ homes throughout Essex County, including Montclair, Maplewood, Bloomfield, Livingston, and Newark. Their tutors provide individualized literacy assessment alongside reading, spelling, and writing intervention — and their in-home model removes the logistical burden that often makes consistent tutoring difficult for 2e families already managing multiple appointments.
• EBL Coaching — Englewood, NJ (Englewood / Northern NJ + virtual) — A Northern New Jersey tutoring center with a physical location in Englewood offering Orton-Gillingham dyslexia tutoring and executive functioning coaching for students across Essex, Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic Counties, as well as virtual sessions statewide. Students begin with an initial assessment to identify specific strengths and areas for development, and all tutoring is individualized, mastery-based, and multisensory — making EBL a strong fit for 2e learners who need more than generic academic support.
• Made for Math (Virtual) — Made for Math offers online 1-on-1 math intervention specifically designed for 2e students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, or autism, delivered by highly trained math specialists who understand the unique learning profiles of twice-exceptional kids. A wonderful virtual option for New Jersey families seeking specialized neurodivergent-affirming math support.

Food / Nutrition / ARFID Support for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Feeding challenges and ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) are significantly more common in neurodivergent children, and they are often deeply tied to sensory sensitivities, anxiety, and the need for sameness and predictability that many 2e kids experience. Finding professionals who approach food and eating through a neurodivergent-affirming lens—without pressure, force, or shame—is essential for these families.

Here are some resources for feeding and nutrition support in the greater Newark and northern New Jersey area:

• Hilltop Behavioral Health — ARFID Program — One of the only facilities in New Jersey with over seven clinicians trained in CBT-AR (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), the evidence-based gold-standard treatment developed at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. Every clinician at Hilltop has been trained in CBT-AR, making this practice an unusually well-resourced and consistent resource for New Jersey families navigating the full spectrum of ARFID presentations in neurodivergent children.

College Applications for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Students

The college application process can be especially challenging for 2e students, whose spiky profiles, unconventional academic paths, and executive functioning challenges don’t always fit neatly into standard application frameworks. Working with a consultant who truly understands twice-exceptionality—someone who knows how to help these students present their authentic strengths and find colleges that will actually support them—is invaluable.

Here are some college application resources for 2e students in the greater Newark and northern New Jersey area:

• Top College Consultants — Dr. Eric Endlich (Virtual) — Founded by Dr. Eric Endlich, a clinical psychologist and educational consultant who has worked extensively with twice-exceptional, gifted, and neurodivergent students, Top College Consultants is one of the most respected virtual resources for 2e college prep in the country. Dr. Endlich maintains an extensive database of neurodiversity-friendly colleges and has presented for Young Scholars Academy, the Learning Disabilities Association, and dozens of other organizations. They offer free resources, recorded webinars, and personalized consulting for New Jersey families.
• Rutgers University — Office of Disability Services — For 2e students planning to attend Rutgers, the ODS provides academic accommodations, support, and resources for students with ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, and other neurodivergent profiles across all Rutgers campuses. Families should connect with the ODS well before the first semester begins so students arrive understanding what accommodations are available and how to access them.
• Kate Stone Prep — University Gurus (Virtual, based in Darien CT — accessible to NJ families) — Kate Stone is an accredited college admissions consultant and essay coach who has collaborated with Young Scholars Academy on college prep for twice-exceptional students. Her approach goes beyond the application itself — helping 2e students develop their personal narrative, design meaningful projects, and build the confidence and self-advocacy skills they’ll need not just to get in, but to thrive once they arrive. Virtual consultations available to New Jersey families.

Educational / Parent Consultants for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Educational and parent consultants who specialize in gifted and 2e children help families navigate complex systems — from school placement and IEP advocacy to understanding their child’s unique learning profile and making informed decisions about educational options.

Here are some educational and parent consultant resources in the greater Newark and northern New Jersey area:

• Dr. Joshua Shifrin — Educational Consultation — In addition to neuropsychological evaluations, Dr. Shifrin offers educational consultation services to help families translate assessment results into actionable plans for school settings. He is skilled at consulting with schools to determine appropriate services and interventions — and his knowledge of New Jersey’s special education landscape makes him a particularly strong resource for families navigating public school advocacy after a 2e diagnosis.
• Golden Advantage Education (Northern NJ) — A northern New Jersey educational consulting and support practice offering parent training in executive functioning, study skills, and comprehension strategies alongside academic tutoring, homeschool support, and psychoeducational evaluations through a certified Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant (LDT-C). Their combination of evaluation, consultation, and direct parent support makes them a practical one-stop resource for families who want to better understand their child’s profile and act on it without coordinating multiple providers.

Parent Support Groups & Consultants for Families with Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Parent support groups and consultants are invaluable resources for families of gifted and 2e children, offering community, guidance, and expert advice. These resources empower parents with the knowledge and tools to advocate for their child, foster their child’s strengths, and effectively manage the unique challenges of raising a 2e child—while also reminding parents that they don’t have to do this alone.

Here are some great parent support resources to check out:

• 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.
• Dr. Lori Baudino, PsyD, BC-DMT (Virtual) — Dr. Baudino is a licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified dance/movement therapist with over twenty years of experience supporting children, families, and parents. She specializes in children with sensory processing differences, neurodivergent profiles, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, learning differences, anxiety, and behavioral or emotional challenges — offering both psychological support and a distinctive movement-based, mind-body approach to understanding children’s needs. For parents, she provides comprehensive family treatment, behavioral observation, and parent coaching that helps families not just manage challenges but deeply understand and celebrate their child’s development. She offers virtual services, making her accessible to New Jersey families.

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

Gifted and twice-exceptional children thrive in environments that support their intellectual, social, and emotional growth. Enrichment programs offer 2e kids the opportunity to build friendships, explore their passions, and be fully celebrated in a neuro-affirming setting.

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 is a virtual village that offers strength-based enrichment courses and community for gifted, twice-exceptional, and bright, differently-wired kids ages 5–18, empowering 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 so much more. These neuro-affirming courses allow 2e children to dive into their passions, build confidence, and thrive socially—all from the comfort of home, fitting perfectly into the busy lives of families in northern New Jersey.

Picture a place where your child fits in, is celebrated, mentored, and loves learning the unique content 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 such as neuropsychologists, educational therapists, parent support consultants, and occupational therapists, families in the greater Newark and northern New Jersey area can create a nurturing environment where their children feel seen, understood, and empowered to reach their fullest potential.

In northern New Jersey, a growing network of specialized professionals and support organizations is available to guide families through the complexities of 2e and giftedness. From comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations to IEP advocacy, specialized schools to virtual enrichment, these resources help ensure that children are not only supported in areas where they struggle, but also celebrated for their remarkable gifts.

By embracing a neurodivergent-affirming perspective, parents can empower their children to flourish—academically, socially, and emotionally—while fostering an environment of acceptance, growth, and self-advocacy. With the right resources, every 2e and gifted child can thrive, embracing their unique potential and becoming confident, resilient individuals ready to make their mark on the world.

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 Greater Newark / Northern New Jersey 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.