The Legacy of Dr. Darold Treffert: How One Doctor’s Vision Sparked the Creation of 2e4Me Academy

Every great movement begins with a moment of recognition — the realization that there is a gap between what is and what could be.

For Dr. Lamis Jabri, founder and director of 2e4Me Academy, that moment came in the search for a place where her own twice-exceptional son could truly thrive. Like so many parents of neurodivergent children, she found herself on a journey filled with more questions than answers, more doors closed than open. Traditional schools didn’t see the whole child. Programs for gifted learners missed the learning challenges. Therapeutic settings overlooked the brilliance.

In that search for hope, Dr. Jabri came across the work of Dr. Darold Treffert — and everything changed.

Who Was Dr. Darold Treffert?

Dr. Darold Treffert (1933–2020) was a world-renowned psychiatrist and one of the foremost experts on autism, savant syndrome, and hyperlexia. His research and writings illuminated the often-misunderstood world of individuals whose exceptional abilities coexist with significant challenges.

Based in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Dr. Treffert spent decades not only researching but also advocating for a strengths-based approach to neurodiverse individuals. Rather than focusing solely on deficits or diagnoses, he recognized and celebrated the islands of genius — the remarkable talents that can accompany developmental differences.

He challenged the world to move beyond “fixing what’s broken” and toward nurturing what’s exceptional.

"There is more than one way to learn. There is more than one way to be smart." — Dr. Darold Treffert

A Mother’s Journey to Find the Right Fit

As Dr. Jabri traveled across the country searching for the right environment for her son, she encountered the same frustration felt by so many families of twice-exceptional (2e) children: schools that either accommodated learning differences or supported giftedness — but not both.

It wasn’t until she discovered Dr. Treffert’s research that she found a philosophy that reflected what she knew in her heart to be true: these children are not broken. They are not defined by their challenges. They are exceptional, complex, capable human beings who deserve to be seen, understood, and supported fully.

Inspired by Dr. Treffert’s model, she connected with programs based on his work and deepened her understanding of how to honor both the strengths and struggles of neurodiverse learners. But there still wasn’t anything like this available where she lived — so she built it herself.

How Dr. Treffert’s Work Shaped 2e4Me Academy

2e4Me Academy was founded on the core belief that neurodivergence is not something to be “cured” — it is something to be embraced. Drawing directly from Dr. Treffert’s strengths-based philosophy, the school was designed to celebrate the whole child.

At 2e4Me Academy:

• Gifts and challenges are both honored — not either/or.

• Individual learning profiles are recognized and respected.

• Collaborative Problem Solving® is at the heart of student support, aligning with the belief that “kids do well if they can.”

• Social-emotional learning is woven into academic work, not treated as separate.

• Curiosity, creativity, and passion are seen as essential to the learning process.

Dr. Treffert’s vision is alive in every classroom where a student’s strengths are the entry point to connection, learning, and self-advocacy.

Carrying the Torch Forward

Dr. Treffert often spoke of the importance of “treasure hunting” rather than “fault finding.” That simple but powerful shift in perspective continues to guide the mission of 2e4Me Academy today.

While Dr. Treffert is no longer with us, his legacy lives on in the lives of the students, families, and educators who believe — as he did — that brilliance can take many forms, and that seeing the whole person is the first step toward helping them shine.

At 2e4Me Academy, we are honored to carry forward the work he began.