in our case, in fact) and having a learning difference at the same time. In other words, while both have a very high IQ (exceptionality number one), our son is on the autism spectrum, and our daughter is stealthily dyslexic (exceptionality number two). 

There are many books on giftedness in English — though I have come across only a couple on profound giftedness — and there are some on twice-exceptionality. However, my extensive search uncovered none in Russian, my native tongue. In general, there are so few resources in Russian on the topics of neurodiversity, giftedness, learning differences, twice-exceptionality, and strengths-based talent-focused practices (which are essential for supporting these unique populations) that I decided to try to fill that void first. Now, however, it is time to share the same story with the English-speaking audience from the perspective of not just twice, but thrice-exceptional family — gifted, learning different, and culturally diverse.

I am neither a psychologist, nor a teacher, neither a writer, nor a journalist — I am simply the mother of my children (though while I was getting ready to share my writing in the public domain I went back to school to become a doctoral student in cognitive diversity in education), and I want to tell our story. As one of the dyslexia specialists told me when I complained that the experience gained with my son does not seem to be helping us at all with our daughter, it’s time to write a book – it’s my destiny, it seems.