Living with Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) feels like watching life through a one-way mirror. I see people connecting, laughing, and forming friendships effortlessly, yet when I try to step in, something invisible holds me back. On the surface, I appear articulate and capable—people assume I have no trouble socialising. But beneath that, NVLD creates a persistent struggle that makes forming and maintaining friendships incredibly difficult.
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Awkward is what they call you when you don’t follow the rules like everyone else. The hard part about that is that most of the rules are unspoken, which is the exact opposite of what you need, so do you have time to answer my questions? Read More
Navigating the Job Search with NVLD:
We’ve all been there: sending out dozens of job applications only to hear back from a small fraction, if any. The job search can be emotionally taxing and discouraging, especially when you put yourself out there time and again with little result. For me, navigating the job search with Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) adds an extra layer of complexity—but it also brings unexpected strengths.
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In my previous piece, I discussed how inclusion is viewed both as a success and a failure. I strongly believe that inclusion is quite successful, not just for students with an NVLD but all disabilities. When there are failures, I feel they are triggered by using the “one size fits all” approach too much rather than individualising the inclusion strategies for Learning and Intellectually Disabled students, as over and under-including students bring their negatives. Read More
Over the years there continues to be a lot of different opinions about whether inclusion in Special Education leads to success or failure. The great thing is it’s still highly favored and used in schools today as data from the advocates continue to show being included leads to greater academic and social achievements. One can argue that there are some failures and I agree with the advocates who say one trigger for these failures is that not all districts are completely following the current recommendations for implementing it to be successful. I feel this way because my high school IEP team members, while truly excellent at their jobs, failed at staying up to date with updated inclusion practices for the students who would be getting a regular diploma. Fortunately, my parents were educators who stayed current with all of the different inclusion practices so my experience was incredibly positive. Read More
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!