Vancouver Neuro-Affirming Resources for Twice-Exceptional (2e) and Gifted Kids

Supporting a twice-exceptional (2e) 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 or near Vancouver, 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 Greater Vancouver and the Lower Mainland 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. 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.

DISCLAIMER — While we’ve made every effort to ensure the quality of these resources, 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 and Testing for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

For families of gifted and twice-exceptional children, working with neuropsychologists who specialize in the unique cognitive and emotional profiles of 2e kids is a crucial first step. These specialists conduct comprehensive psychoeducational and neuropsychological evaluations that go beyond standard assessments to uncover both strengths and challenges. In BC, a formal assessment from a Registered Psychologist is often essential for receiving a gifted or learning differences designation from your school district, securing an IEP under the BC School Act, and accessing the additional educational supports your child deserves. Here are some excellent assessment resources in the Vancouver area:

Dr. Vilija Petrauskas is a double board-certified Registered Psychologist in Vancouver, BC, specializing exclusively in comprehensive neuropsychological and psychoeducational assessments for children and adolescents with learning, developmental, or neurological concerns. Dr. Petrauskas holds certifications in both Clinical Neuropsychology and Pediatric Neuropsychology — a rare combination — and provides assessments for ADHD, giftedness, learning differences, and complex neurodevelopmental profiles, with a thorough feedback session where families receive clear, actionable recommendations alongside the report.

Compass Clinic is a multidisciplinary psychology clinic with locations in Vancouver, Surrey, and Nanaimo, offering comprehensive psychoeducational assessments, gifted testing, ADHD evaluations, autism assessments, OT, SLP, and therapy for children, teens, and young adults. Their team of Registered Psychologists takes a thorough, client-centred approach — going beyond a score to deliver a clear understanding of how a child thinks and learns, with practical strategies for families and schools alike. They are particularly well-resourced for complex, co-occurring profiles common in twice-exceptional learners.

Clarity Kids BC is a North Vancouver psychoeducational and psychological assessment clinic located in the Central Lonsdale area, offering formal assessments for learning differences, ADHD, giftedness, autism, and social-emotional functioning for school-age children and teens. Their team of Registered Psychologists follows a collaborative process from initial consultation through to a detailed report and feedback session, ensuring that every family leaves with clear answers and a concrete plan for navigating the BC school system.

Therapists and Psychologists for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Many 2e children face anxiety, emotional intensity, perfectionism, or social difficulties that require dedicated therapeutic support alongside their academic journey. Psychologists and psychotherapists who specialize in giftedness and neurodiversity bring a crucial neuro-affirming lens to these challenges. Here are some excellent options in the Vancouver area:

Dr. Debbie Clelland is a Vancouver-based PhD Registered Clinical Counsellor with over 25 years of experience and a nationally recognized local expert on giftedness. Having been instrumental in re-launching the GCABC and conducting research on the needs of parents of gifted children in Canada, Dr. Clelland brings rare depth to coaching and consulting for gifted/multi-exceptional adults and parents of gifted children. Her new website, Making Sense of Giftedness, gathers evidence-based resources for gifted families and adults navigating giftedness across the lifespan.

Reframe Education offers clinical counselling through Registered Clinical Counsellors who specialize in the mental health challenges associated with neurodiversity — including anxiety and depression that commonly co-occur with learning differences, ADHD, and ASD. Using evidence-based modalities including CBT, DBT, and narrative therapy, their counsellors provide a warm, age-appropriate space for children, youth, and adults to explore their emotional world and build meaningful coping strategies.

Educational Therapists and Executive Functioning Coaches for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Many families with gifted and twice-exceptional children find both educational therapists and executive functioning coaches to be invaluable resources. Educational therapists address specific learning challenges using specialized techniques that help a child understand their own learning. Executive functioning coaches focus on the skills — organization, time management, task initiation, emotional regulation — that are critical for success in school and life. For 2e kids, these professionals can be transformational. Here are some great options in the Vancouver area:

CLM Coaching is a Vancouver executive function coaching practice founded by an educator with a B.Ed in Special Education, a Masters in Educational Leadership, and certification as both an EF Coach and Anti-Boring Learning Coach. CLM specializes in supporting teens and young adults with learning differences, ADHD, and complex profiles in building the organization, time management, and study skills they need to feel confident and in control of their learning — with a warm, student-centred approach that has earned lasting testimonials from families across the Lower Mainland.

Fraser Academy FAx Outreach Centre is the community outreach arm of Vancouver’s Fraser Academy, offering Orton-Gillingham literacy tutoring, executive function coaching, NILD Educational Therapy, and educational consulting to learners of all ages who attend other schools. Located in Kitsilano, FAx brings Fraser Academy’s 40+ years of expertise in dyslexia and language-based learning differences directly to the community — making world-class instruction available to children who don’t attend the school. Their team also provides free Community Education Nights for families and educators throughout the year.

Parent Support Coaches, Advisors, and Groups for Families with Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Parenting a 2e child can sometimes feel isolating, and finding others who truly understand your family’s experience is priceless. Parent support groups and advisors help families navigate BC’s educational system, understand their child’s profile, and connect with community. Here are some excellent parent resources:

Gifted Children’s Association of British Columbia (GCABC) is a non-profit charitable society that has been supporting gifted families in BC since 1983. The GCABC serves parents, teachers, and mental health professionals through advocacy, education, events, newsletters, a provincially recognized professionals directory, and parent networking opportunities — both in person and online. They are the go-to resource in BC for families navigating gifted designations, IEP processes under the BC School Act, and the unique social-emotional needs of high-ability learners. Their website is one of the richest freely available repositories of gifted education information in Canada.

BCEdAccess Society is a volunteer-run BC organization and registered charity dedicated to ensuring equitable access to education for students with disabilities and complex learners across the province. With over 5,000 community members in their parent peer support group, BCEdAccess provides rights-based information, advocacy primers, letter templates, IEP guides, and connection to provincial organizations — all rooted in the BC Human Rights Code and School Act. For 2e families navigating school barriers or IEP disputes, this is an essential and fiercely supportive resource.

Young Scholars Academy Parent Social Club offers a welcoming virtual space for parents of gifted and twice-exceptional children to connect, celebrate wins, and work through challenges together. Through engaging discussions and community-building activities, the club provides ongoing support and connection for parents navigating this unique journey, and it’s accessible to Vancouver families from the comfort of home.

Occupational and Speech-Language Therapists for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

Occupational therapy (OT) and speech-language pathology (SLP) are vital resources for many 2e and gifted children, particularly those who experience challenges with sensory processing, fine motor skills, social communication, or daily living tasks. These therapies build essential life skills and can make a profound difference in a child’s ability to navigate school and the world. Here are some great options in the Vancouver area:

Nurture Society for Learning and Development is a Vancouver clinic on Fraser Street offering OT, SLP, and behaviour consulting for neurodiverse children, with services available in-clinic, at home, at school, and online for rural BC families. Nurture’s particular strength is supporting autistic children and their families through play-based, neurodiversity-affirming therapy — including JASPER, the Early Start Denver Model, and a Parent Coaching program. For homeschooling families, they can provide therapy supports at home or in the community.

Little Peak Therapy is a nature-inspired pediatric clinic in Lower Lonsdale, North Vancouver offering OT, SLP, counselling, and music therapy all under one sensory-friendly roof. Their interdisciplinary team views neurodiversity and differences in how children think, feel, move, and connect as part of the natural diversity of being human — not things to be changed. With a dedicated sensory gym, quiet corners, and swingy spaces, their beautifully designed clinic helps kids feel safe, seen, and ready to grow. They also offer child-focused and parent-focused group programming to build social connection in the North Shore community.

Kids First Pediatric Therapy is a pediatric OT clinic in south Burnaby, accessible to families across Greater Vancouver including Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Surrey, Langley, and Richmond. Their Registered Autism Service Provider-certified therapists are family- and client-centred, evaluating through sensory processing and neurodevelopmental frameworks — and are happy to work with children regardless of whether they have a formal diagnosis. They support children from birth to age 18 with sensory integration, fine motor, self-regulation, and daily living skills.

Schools for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

For many 2e and gifted children, traditional classroom settings may not provide the right kind of support or challenge. Fortunately, there are school options in and around Vancouver designed with these learners in mind — environments where a child’s unique wiring is understood as a strength, not a problem to manage. Here are some great options:

Madrona School is Vancouver’s only co-ed K–8 independent school dedicated to gifted, bright, and twice-exceptional learners, located in Kitsilano and in operation since 1993. Madrona offers individualized education plans, mixed-age groupings, a low student-to-educator ratio, nature-based learning, social-emotional programming, and a school counsellor — creating a joyful and safe community where neurodiverse students are genuinely celebrated rather than simply accommodated. The school was recently recognized as Top K–8 Independent School in Canada for 2026 by Education Insider Magazine.

Choice School is a BC Ministry of Education designated special education independent school in Richmond (just outside Vancouver) serving gifted and twice-exceptional students in Kindergarten through Grade 9. Choice received its Special Education Designation in 2016 in recognition of its specialized mandate to serve high-potential and 2e learners — including those with a gifted designation and an additional identified learning need. Customized programming, ongoing faculty professional development, and small class sizes make Choice one of only two schools in all of BC specifically designed for 2e students.

Fraser Academy is a Vancouver independent day school (Grades 2–12) located in Kitsilano that has been a leader in the education of students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences for over 40 years. Using the Orton-Gillingham approach alongside a multisensory curriculum, Fraser Academy empowers students who learn differently to become confident, independent learners — and over 90% of graduates go on to post-secondary education. Their FAx Outreach Centre also extends these services to the broader community through tutoring and consulting.

Advocates, IEP Support, and Education Consultants

Navigating BC’s special education system — including the IEP process, school district designations, and advocacy under the BC School Act and Human Rights Code — can feel overwhelming. Families of gifted and 2e children often need knowledgeable support to ensure their child’s rights are upheld and that the system works for their child rather than against them. Here are some resources that can help:

Inclusion BC is a province-wide advocacy federation of over 60 member organizations dedicated to inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental differences — including in education. Their Community Inclusion Advocacy team provides direct advocacy support to families, and their comprehensive Inclusive Education handbook (including a dedicated IEP chapter) is one of the most practical parent resources available for navigating BC schools.

All Brains Clinic — Student Support Liaison is a Vancouver clinic on West Boulevard offering a dedicated Student Support Liaison service — a resource educator who helps families translate assessment results into action at school. They review findings with parents, explain BC School Act and IEP processes in plain language, and act as a bridge between the clinic and the school team. Their multidisciplinary clinic also provides psychoeducational, autism, and ADHD assessments, OT, SLP, parent coaching, and therapy under one roof.

Tutors for Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids

For many 2e families, a specialized tutor who understands neurodivergence is a game-changer — offering one-on-one personalized support that a classroom simply cannot provide. The right tutor can meet a child where they are, build on their strengths, and give them the tools to bridge the gaps. Here are some options:

Fraser Academy FAx Outreach Centre offers 1:1 Orton-Gillingham reading and spelling instruction, NILD Educational Therapy, executive function coaching, and math support to students from any school — making the expertise of one of Canada’s leading dyslexia schools available to the broader Vancouver community. Sessions run a minimum of twice weekly, and FAx practitioners are among the most rigorously trained in BC, with many holding certifications from the Orton-Gillingham Academy, IDA, and National Institute of Learning Development.

Edify Learning Spaces is a leading Canadian neurodivergent tutoring agency that personally matches families with specially trained educators across Canada and serves Vancouver-area families virtually. With a neuro-affirming foundation, Edify specializes in supporting children with dyslexia (using Orton-Gillingham and Science of Reading-based methods), ADHD, autism, and complex learning profiles — providing one-on-one sessions, IEP integration, and a genuine commitment to helping kids love learning again. Families report significant improvements in both academics and confidence within three months.

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

Gifted and twice-exceptional children thrive in environments that celebrate their unique strengths and provide opportunities for intellectual and social growth. Social connection groups, enrichment programs, and communities of like-minded peers can be especially transformative for 2e kids who may have struggled to find where they belong. Here are some wonderful options:

Mind Outlet (Virtual) - Michelle Ptacek 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 intellectual community and social-emotional scaffolding rarely available in traditional settings. For families whose schedules don’t align with the group homerooms, she also offers 1:1 instruction. For families who aren’t in the Davidson Young Scholars program, she provides general gifted homerooms.

Young Scholars Academy is a virtual village that offers strength-based enrichment courses and community for 5–18-year-old gifted, twice-exceptional, and bright, differently-wired kiddos — empowering them to develop their strengths, make like-minded friends, and thrive under the loving care of mentors. With over 150 unique subjects ranging from conceptual physics, AP courses, and executive function skills to Minecraft, Roblox, and Anime, YSA challenges students at their own level while connecting them with peers who share their passions. The magic? Vancouver families can access all of it from home, connecting your child with a global community of brilliant, quirky kids who finally feel like they’ve found their people.

Picture a place where your child fits in, is celebrated, mentored, and loves learning the content they crave. That is happening every day at YSA for hundreds of families — and it can happen for your family too.

Conclusion

Supporting twice-exceptional and gifted children in Vancouver requires a thoughtful, holistic approach that honours both their strengths and their challenges. By connecting with neuro-affirming resources — from neuropsychologists and educational therapists to parent support groups, advocates, and enrichment communities — families can create an environment where their child feels seen, understood, and empowered to reach their fullest potential.

BC’s education system, with its IEP framework and special education designations under the School Act, offers important protections and pathways for children identified as gifted or with learning differences. But knowing your rights and finding the right professionals to support your journey makes all the difference. The resources in this guide are here to help.

Remember: the path to success for 2e and gifted children involves recognizing both their strengths and their challenges. By seeking out resources that respect neurodiversity and embrace a strengths-based approach, you can provide your child with the support they need to flourish — exactly as they are.

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 Vancouver 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, 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.