Twice-exceptional, or 2e, students are gifted learners who also have ADHD, a learning difference such as dyslexia or dysgraphia, autism or anxiety. They can talk about ideas years beyond their grade and still struggle to get those ideas onto paper, remember an assignment or finish a test on time. School often sees only one side, either the gifts or the difficulties, and the student ends up bored, frustrated or both.
Why the match matters
A 2e student needs a tutor who can keep up with them. If sessions feel slow or remedial, many 2e kids check out. Our tutors are Stanford students and alumni who can follow a 2e student’s curiosity and respect how much they already know, while still holding them to the steady, practical work that school requires.
What parents say
“My son had a wonderful experience with Cardinal Tutors when he needed help with his High School math and science classes. It turns out my son also needed help staying organized with all his assignments, something that the tutor helped with as well.”
Amy C., Palo Alto
“… knew his subject matter but also knew how to engage and motivate my son which no teacher or his parents have been able to do as successfully. Perfect fit to jumpstart my son’s new habits and attitudes towards math.”
Joyce M., Mill Valley
Challenge and support in the same session
In practice, that means pairing real intellectual challenge with concrete support. A session might start with the student explaining an idea they’re excited about, then move to turning that idea into an outline, breaking a long assignment into pieces or practicing a strategy for timed tests. Over time, students learn to use their strengths to work around their challenges instead of feeling defined by them.
Part of a bigger team
We’re tutors, not educational therapists or clinicians. We don’t evaluate or diagnose, and our work fits alongside whatever support your student already has, from psychologists and learning specialists to accommodations at school. Many 2e families also use our ADHD coaching or executive function coaching, and we tutor math, writing, science and more for students who want to go deeper.
We work with 2e students in person within about 10 miles of Stanford and online anywhere. Click below and tell us a little about your student, both the strengths and the struggles.