kids like us

Kids Like Us was established in 2013 after three children with a strong social conscience identified that there was a need to provide support to other twice-exceptional (2e) students in Australia. Kids Like US provide the safe and secure environment where 2e kids are able to identify their specific skills and pathways to advocate for their own learning, enabling them to understand how they learn to achieve their own potential. Twice-exceptional individuals are those who display heightened strengths in one or more areas of human ability that is combined with a disability which may negate, hide or accentuate their strength. The strength or disability can be found in all types of people everywhere, but the amount of each component will influence society’s acceptance or rejection of the expression of twice-exceptionality. Kids Like Us understand that 2e young people are often misunderstood and unable to communicate their specific learning needs and requirements, which often leads to a misunderstanding of their ability to achieve in mainstream school environments. We take a holistic approach incorporating multiple support services including educational, physiological and counselling under one banner with each individual receiving a tailored combination that best suits their needs. We are the only organisation in the country providing these kinds of specialised support services. • In Australia there are over 100,000 undiagnosed 2e young people, 30,000 of those in Victoria most of whom are not supported. • The 2e profile makes up approximately 7-9% of the population. Kids Like Us Australia is the only organisation in Australia to offer a comprehensive support structure and a sense of belonging for 2e students through the provision of learning and emotional support, advocacy and peer-to-peer support. Currently KLU sees 160 individuals a fortnight through one on one support contact, with an extensive waiting list.