When I was younger, my family always knew I was unique in a way that other kids weren’t. I was very observant of things around me that others weren’t. I had different interests than my peers and struggled a lot more than other kids. At the time, Autism was a huge thing and my mom would tell me that some people were misdiagnosing me, calling me ”autistic” when my mom didn’t think that was true and decided to do more research on her own. Read More
In my previous piece, I discussed what helps to get into a college comprehensive support program as they are harder to get into than some realize. A common reason for a student to be rejected is that the admission team believed the student hadn’t taken on enough academic and personal challenges to prove they had what it takes to overcome their Learning Disability and be successful. This is rather discouraging for many students as the choices they made were strongly influenced by the recommendations of their IEP Teams. Personally, this would have been me without my parents’ knowledge of what college admissions teams and their comprehensive support programs wanted to see on the students’ applications. So now I will continue to offer advice based on my personal experiences to help you have the best chance to be accepted into these schools and programs. Read More
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to talk about dating and relationships. Between the endless swiping, ghosting, and all-dreaded situationships, dating is HARD- and when you add in the extra challenge of navigating a disability, it can feel even more daunting! Though I’m now in a committed, long-term relationship, these are the lessons I wish I had known earlier in my dating journey with NVLD. Read More
I wanted to share my first blog post for the NVLD Project, as their NVLD Ambassador My name is Laura, and I was diagnosed with Non-Verbal Learning Disability (NVLD) when I was 14. I’m now 38! I am very much a perfectionist and ambitious, and chose from the time of my diagnosis that I “didn’t have anything wrong with me.” Read More
This blog explores neurodivergent burnout and its connection to chronic pain conditions like migraines, drawing from personal experiences and research articles. Neurodivergent burnout, common in those with autism, ADHD, or NVLD, involves chronic exhaustion, sensory sensitivity, skill loss, and heightened emotional challenges, often exacerbated by masking and societal pressures. Recovery requires rest, supportive accommodations, boundary-setting, and tailored strategies. The host shares their journey with migraines, including treatments and self-care practices, emphasizing the importance of rejuvenation and listening to the body’s needs. The discussion highlights the systemic nature of burnout and the necessity of compassionate, individualized solutions.
Please click the link below for the podcast:
https://livingwithnld.com/podcast-1/episode-15-year-5-burnout-neurodiversity-and-navigating-nld
Jennifer
For five years, I’ve been an admin, tech, social media, music, prep, and teaching assistant at The Unity Center. I also tutor tech projects on the side and manage six podcasts on topics like NLD, heroism, nature sounds, and spirituality. My dog, Truffles, inspires me and even joins me for podcast chats!
Colleges with comprehensive disabilities produce more successful stories for students with disabilities however the unfortunate thing is sometimes the students who would benefit the most from this support get rejected. There are many reasons why students can be rejected. Often the simple but disappointing reason is that their IQ score is regrettably below what the admission teams require. However, it can also be because the student didn’t make the right academic and personal decisions. This can be very disappointing as often their decisions come from the recommendation of their IEP teams. In this piece, I will offer advice based on my personal experiences to help you have the best chance to be accepted into these schools and programs. Read More
Math was always challenging for me when I was growing up. I had so many math tutors. I remember one day I had 3 of them come at different times to help me with my homework. That was too much for me that day but it did help a lot. It made it easier so I wasn’t so frustrated with myself all the time and crying because I couldn’t get it. And I didn’t understand why it was so challenging until I was in college and got diagnosed with NLD at age 19.
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The title, Non-Verbal Learning Disorder, can have some misconceptions. I’ve even been told numerous times, “Oh but you talk so well.” In reality, I can’t read non-verbal communication such as body language, facial cues, etc.
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‘I am everything you want
I am everything you need
I am everything inside of you
That you wish you could be
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While I am not a special education teacher, I have a deep understanding of what students need. This understanding comes from remembering all the techniques and methods that my teachers, therapists, and coaches used with me over the years. Their willingness to work with me differently compared to other students truly contributed to my success, as the reality was that an NVLD has different needs than others with learning disabilities. Read More