The journey of a 2e autistic teen is rarely a straight line. Their intellectual gifts might shine brightly in one area, while a specific learning difference creates significant hurdles in another. This asynchronous development is a key facet we must consider. It’s not enough to simply acknowledge their giftedness or solely focus on their challenges. We need to see the whole picture, recognizing the interplay between these seemingly disparate aspects of their being.

Radical acceleration worked well for him. He needed to be challenged and engaged with like-minded peers.