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Young Scholars Academy is a virtual village that helps twice-exceptional & differently-wired students to feel seen, nurtured, and happy as heck through strength-based courses, camps, and community!

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Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply passionate about supporting neurodivergent learners, this blog is your go-to resource for all things related to strength-based education and fostering a community of belonging.

Neuro-Affirming Resources for Twice-Exceptional (2e) & Gifted Kids: A Guide for Families in the Greater New York City Area
Kyla Hunte Kyla Hunte

Neuro-Affirming Resources for Twice-Exceptional (2e) & Gifted Kids: A Guide for Families in the Greater New York City Area

Finding the right support for your 2e or gifted child can be overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. This guide offers essential resources in the Greater New York City area to help your child and family thrive. From expert therapists to specialized schools, discover the neuro-affirming professionals and programs that can make all the difference.

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Unraveling Child Struggles Beyond Observation with Dr. Karen Wilson
Erin Tee Erin Tee

Unraveling Child Struggles Beyond Observation with Dr. Karen Wilson

Unlock the potential of differently-wired learners with insights from Dr. Karen Wilson, Clinical Neuropsychologist, as she uncovers essential strategies for ensuring their success.

Learn about:

Root Cause Understanding: Delve deeper into why children struggle instead of merely observing.

Validation and Communication: Validate concerns and communicate with teachers to gain insights.

Observation to Intervention: Pause before intervening; validate, understand, and consider

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Creating A Strength-Based Life  With Intentions, Not Resolutions
Parent Support Amber K Willburn Parent Support Amber K Willburn

Creating A Strength-Based Life With Intentions, Not Resolutions

Happy New Year! For many people, the new year means a chance to create a resolution. The thing is, resolutions can often include a lot of shame.

Intentions, on the other hand, are built on affirmations and goals. Instead of making a resolution this year, I invite you to set intentions around building strength-based opportunities in your child’s life.

Here are a few tips on setting intentions:

1. Focus on the present. When setting intentions, framing the intention in the present tense is important. Doing things you already believe you can do is way easier than trying to achieve something in which you doubt yourself...

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What To Do When Your Child Is Twice-Exceptional
Amber K Willburn Amber K Willburn

What To Do When Your Child Is Twice-Exceptional

Parents come to the realization that their child might be twice-exceptional (2e) through several different paths…

Many parents find out they have a twice-exceptional child with this incredibly unique profile and then you find yourself saying, “Ok, now what?”

Here are a few tips to make sure you are fully supporting your twice-exceptional child...

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The Twice-exceptional Elephant: What 2e Is, and Most Importantly, What It Isn’t.
Sam Young Sam Young

The Twice-exceptional Elephant: What 2e Is, and Most Importantly, What It Isn’t.

What exactly does 2e mean? How do you know your child is 2e? Who gets to define what 2e is, and maybe more importantly, what it isn’t? The Twice-exceptional Elephant analogy can help define what 2e is, and maybe more Importantly, what it isn’t.

I often joke that I will retire the day that when I tell people my purpose in this world is serving “twice-exceptional students,” they will say “nice!” instead of “what’s that mean?” While the term 2e, or twice-exceptional, has been around for a while as a concept, the terms are fairly new in the fields of psychology and education. If you haven’t heard it, don’t worry, you're not alone. It just means there’s still lots of work to do!

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Illuminating Interviews- Dr. Lamb
Sam Young Sam Young

Illuminating Interviews- Dr. Lamb

I always say Siobhan may be the important person that you don’t yet know.

Dr. Siobhan Lamb is hands-down one of the most thought-provoking individuals that I have the pleasure of knowing in the fields of cognitive diversity and education.

Go grab your notebook and be prepared to be inspired as we explore:

-Recommendations for supporting neurodiverse kiddos

-Perspectives that expand our collective understanding of neurodiversity

-Support from someone who knows what it is to live with a dual diagnosis

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Illuminating Interviews- Cindy Hansen
Sam Young Sam Young

Illuminating Interviews- Cindy Hansen

You know when you ask the twice-exceptional kiddo in your life to do something until you're blue in the face and it still doesn't get done? It can be infuriating, right?

If you're nodding along right now, you can't miss the latest Illuminating Interview with soon-to-be-Dr. Cindy Hansen.

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Illuminating Interviews- Dr. Rick Olenchak
Sam Young Sam Young

Illuminating Interviews- Dr. Rick Olenchak

Parenting 2e kids is tough. Really tough! It often seems like the whole world only sees challenge areas. Sadly, we live in a society that identifies and diagnoses deficits and prescribes “solutions” based on what kids struggle with…

Tune in to this Illuminating Interview with Dr. Olenchak to discover how to be a part of the changing wave of positive, strength-based, talent-focused education.

Rewrite the narrative and discover how to diagnose strengths and prescribe strength-based learning.

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Illuminating Interviews- Dr. Lin Lim
Sam Young Sam Young

Illuminating Interviews- Dr. Lin Lim

Did you know that this is how brains intake information?

Start using this advice today!

Join me as we learn from one of the leading experts in the neuroscience field!

Discover:

-How brains intake information

-TOP priorities for parent support at home!

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Illuminating Interviews- Dr. Marcy Dann
Sam Young Sam Young

Illuminating Interviews- Dr. Marcy Dann

While our differently-wired learners are all so unique, there are non-negotiables that, when understood, will ensure that they THRIVE!

Tune in here and learn from Dr. Marcy Dann, THE EXPERT on tapping into students’ strengths and interests to support them and help them self-actualize.

Discover:

Recommendations for supporting neurodiverse kiddos

Non-negotiables for twice-exceptional education

Understanding our child’s learning profile

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Illuminating Interviews- Dr. Siobhan Lamb
Sam Young Sam Young

Illuminating Interviews- Dr. Siobhan Lamb

Join me as we learn from one of the leading experts on neurodiversity, Dr. Lamb.

Watch to glean some:

  • Recommendations for supporting neurodiverse kiddos

  • Perspectives that expand our collective understanding of neurodiversity

  • Support from someone who knows what is to live with a dual diagnosis

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