My story starts at the age of 18 months (, or so I’m told. ) It centers around a rocking horse that my cousin gave me for Christmas one year! I loved that rocking horse but I just couldn’t figure out how to maneuver to get on it. This is where my mom said that there was a problem and got me in to see my pediatrician. They didn’t know anything about NVLD in 1993 and they said it was a disability, motor issues otherwise not specified. Read More
I am a 66-year-old retired businessman. Reading about NVLD for the first time, as it related to Guz Walz, gobsmacked me. My ex-wife called it “that spatial thing” and derided me throughout our marriage. I knew in the fourth grade something was wrong with my brain. Rudimentary math baffled me and it only got worse as I progressed through middle and high school. I flunked Geometry in the 10th grade and never took a math course after that. In 8th grade, I was forced to take a drafting class. Total disaster. Flunked that too. Read More
From the outside looking in, very few people know how challenging this year has been for me and that is not for one particular reason, it is a combination of things. To be honest, I went from teaching students with learning differences at a boarding school to putting myself first again – being in a graduate program that asks me who I am as an artist and who I want to be. And oftentimes that can be confusing, it is a process of learning to trust myself all over again. Read More
I was reading the FAQ page on the NVLD project website recently. One of the questions was from parents asking for advice about how to help their child who is struggling to pass his road test. Reading this question and the answer below made me think of my experience as a 16-year-old learning how to drive with the visual/spatial challenges NVLD can bring. I also thought of the “driving rules” I have for myself because of NVLD-related challenges. I say “driving rules” because said rules have helped me progress in my supportive driving school, pass my road test on the first try, and drive safely with no wrecks to date. I have other considerations I keep in mind when I drive and have discovered other strategies over the years that I will also share. Read More
As you can see, from my blog name alone, I scream NVLD. I’m 48 and I remember being in kindergarten and having to practice using scissors and modeling clay. Years later I was told my handwriting was bad and I didn’t follow directions. By high school, I was obsessed with certain movies and talked nonstop. Read More
I have learned that NVLD is a very specific form of a Visual Processing Disorder, it is not a specific learning disability or disorder. I have always had difficulty with visual-spatial specific tasks (I do not have all visual-spatial difficulties) and problems with sarcasm, and being exceptional twice: high-above average intelligence with low average performance, high performance at work and in graduate school (with only testing accommodations and time extensions). Read More
My name is Jacob Babbin. I am 33. And I have Non Verbal Learning Difference I wrote my first blog on this website a few years ago. I went to Israel on Birthright in March of 2022. I returned from Israel on June 3rd, 2024. I am nearing the end of my conversion to Judaism, the Reform movement. I have become a part of two wonderful Reform Temples/Synagogues here in Florida. Read More
In my previous piece, I wrote about how my IEP teams tried to guide me in a different direction as they believed my stated plans were unrealistic and would cause unnecessary stress. Regrettably, my experience doesn’t seem to be unusual which to me is very disappointing. Now I will continue with examples from my experience and demonstrate how an IEP team will not only support your choices but will also be very proud of you. Through your own determination and work ethic. they will see, that lowering the expectations isn’t always the right answer. Read More
As I was leaving middle school and through high school my IEP teams tried to guide me in a different direction as they believed my stated plans were unrealistic and would cause unnecessary stress. Unfortunately, this experience doesn’t seem to be unusual so I would like to share my examples and explain how your IEP team will realize your choices were correct and will become very proud of you. Read More
I thought our journey started in 2016 when my daughter was diagnosed with her initial diagnosis. Still, after receiving her third diagnosis of “non-verbal learning disability” in 2020 and doing some research, I realized that our journey with nonverbal learning disability with Kiana had begun when she was just an infant. Read More