Spiky Profile/SPIE-kee PROH-file/
A very uneven pattern of abilities—strong strengths in some areas, significant challenges in others.
Andy says:
Think mountain peaks and deep valleys—not a smooth hill. Different doesn’t mean less.
Detailed Explanation
Spiky profiles are common across neurodivergence. A person might excel at systems thinking and struggle with handwriting, or be brilliant verbally and find planning hard. Recognizing spikes prevents mislabeling ability based on one measure.
Community Context
Spiky profiles can hide needs ("you’re gifted, so…") or mask strengths ("you struggle here, so…"). Supports should both nurture peaks and scaffold valleys.
Quick Tips
- Assess across domains; avoid single‑metric judgments
- Use strength‑based roles and alternative outputs
- Scaffold weak areas with tools and explicit instruction
Do / Don't
- Do: design for variability; celebrate peaks; support valleys
- Don't: average away the individual; don’t gate access by one score
Scientific Context
Assessment research shows high intra‑individual variability in ND populations; strength‑based approaches improve outcomes.
Language Notes
Related: twice‑exceptional, uneven profile.
Related Terms
Neurodivergent
Having a brain that functions differently from society's constructed "typical" standard. Encompasses autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, Tourette's, and other neurological variations that aren't illnesses needing cure but different operating systems deserving respect.
Twice-Exceptional (2e)
A person who is both gifted (intellectually, creatively, or in specific domains) and has one or more learning differences, disabilities, or neurodivergent conditions.
Executive Dysfunction
Difficulties with the brain's management system for planning, organizing, initiating, and completing tasks. Like having all the pieces but struggling to assemble them in the right order at the right time.
Sources
Community Contributions
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