The Belin-Blank Center, founded in 1988, is built upon a comprehensive mission grounded in leadership, advocacy, and research. The Center is nationally and internationally known for its support of talented and gifted students and their educators. The reputation of the Center was earned through research symposia; staff presentations at state, national, and international events; collaborative efforts with other leaders in the field; and a premier assessment and counseling clinic for gifted and twice-exceptional students. We have an impressive history of cutting-edge research related to talented and gifted students with a focus on diversity, including neurodiversity, academic acceleration, and twice-exceptionality.
Our student programming, clinic services, and research expertise are the foundation for the programming and services that are being developed for this pilot year of the Academy for Twice-Exceptionality. We are uniquely qualified to develop and administer this newly-formed academy. In fact, much of the research on twice-exceptionality, particularly of students diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, has been conducted at the Belin-Blank Center.
One aspect of our mission is offering specialized educational opportunities for students. You will find that the Academy for Twice-Exceptionality has been established as such, but with the unique needs of twice-exceptional students kept in the forefront. It offers friendship, in addition to academic, community, and psychosocial support. As a student-centered institution, the Belin-Blank Center aims to provide structure, support, and understanding for talented and gifted twice-exceptional first-year students at the University of Iowa through the Academy for Twice-Exceptionality.
When students feel connected to a campus community, success follows. The Belin-Blank Center will foster a sense of community within the Academy while here at the University of Iowa. Because of our rich research agenda that includes twice-exceptionality, the expertise at the Center is a key benefit for the participants. Other key benefits focus on a support structure that addresses adaptive living skills, executive functioning skills, and social/communication skills. Highlights of the Academy for Twice-Exceptionality include:
- Automatic acceptance into the Honors Program
- Collaboration with the Student Disabilities Services
- Weekly connections with Belin-Blank Center staff
- Guidance with self-advocacy and communicating with professors
- Assistance with connections to university-based supports, resources, and clubs/organizations
- Cohort-based university housing arrangement
- Skill and strategy guidance (e.g., organization, problem solving, working with a group)
- Fostering of coping and relaxation skills
- Initiating participation in the aspects of a community
A benefit of the Academy also extends to parents/guardians of the participants. They are afforded the opportunity to meet and partner with specific members of the Belin-Blank Center team who will work with their child. It is our hope that this makes the campus seem a bit smaller. Parents/guardians will receive regular communication and updates on student progress.
December & January - Rolling application review
January 20th - Deadline to apply
February & March - Interviews (candidates and families)
Mid-April - Decisions finalized and communicated
August (typically the 3rd week) 22 - Welcome events for first-year students/First day of classes