2e2: Teaching the Twice Exceptional

As in his previous documentary, 2e: Twice Exceptional (VL Online-7/15), director Thomas Ropelewski defines 2e individuals as those who are intellectually gifted or highly talented and have some form of learning difference or disability. Most of the subjects in his follow-up, which centers on the Bridges Academy in Studio City, CA, are high-functioning teen and pre-teen students on the autism spectrum. Throughout the film, kids try to explain how their brains work. Jake, a 10th grader, sighs, "That’s a tricky question. Sometimes I'm not sure what's going on in there." For Jake, who wears contractor-grade noise-canceling headphones, it's easier to write than speak, which made his early years difficult. As his mother notes, Jake’s previous school wasn't accustomed to smart kids with special needs. Sam, on the other hand, is a gregarious kid who excels at woodworking and other creative endeavors. Sam has trouble reading and maintaining friendships but says that woodworking makes him feel calm. At Bridges, teachers spend time getting to know their students before turning to classwork by way of ice breakers and team-building activities. Pilar Muñoz, who teaches Spanish, believes that it's important to keep the kids engaged and help them manage stress by letting them know it's okay to make mistakes. Science teacher Sean Kangataran feels that "there's no such thing as an average student," and that individually-tailored curriculums will produce the best outcome. Aside from standard subjects, the students at Bridges also step outside the classroom to raise chickens and restore cars. It's clear that Bridges Academy isn't your average school—and a shame that there aren’t more like it. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)