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Mar 12
Love11

Is It NVLD or ADHD? Why the Confusion?, by Elizabeth Shoiry

By Experts Blog

Both attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a nonverbal learning disability (NVLD) are life long neurobiological challenges. ADHD was first formally recognized as a disorder by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in the 1960’s. Today, ADHD is one of the most commonly diagnosed and perhaps over diagnosed childhood and adolescent disorders.

In contrast, NVLD has yet to be formally recognized and is generally overlooked, underdiagnosed, and misunderstood. Moreover, NVLD is frequently mistaken for ADHD. One of the key dangers of misidentifying mental health disorders is the distress it can cause the individual and their family. A lack of proper identification can result in unrealistic demands, expectations and overestimations of the individual’s ability. Subsequent self esteem and self confidence issues, social and emotional concerns, as well as academic struggles and frustrations can give rise to a lifetime of challenges.
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Feb 14
Love5

Researching Myself — Perspective from an NVLD Researcher, by Matthew

By NVLD Bloggers

Few scientists have the opportunity to study their own disorder, however, that is exactly what I’m doing at the University of Southern California. I recently proposed a journal article on this diamond in the rough disability to provide intuitive cognitive models in tough spatial scenarios for NVLD individuals. Furthermore, I hope this will also reduce anxiety for NVLD test takers. Since NVLD is a small, under-diagnosed community with very few speaking on it’s behalf, I’ll give a snippet of what it’s like to live with it….
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Feb 14
Love4

Hope, by Janet

By Parents Blogs

My son was diagnosed with NVLD in the 4th grade. Given the fact that he and his brother were surviving triplets born at 24 weeks gestation you can only imagine the early intervention appointments they both had in the beginning when they came home from the NICU after each having lengthy stays.

Fast forward until now where they are both 21 years old. My son who was diagnosed with 100% NVLD in now a junior at UMASS Amherst. I was horrified when I learned this was one of his top picks for schools to attend.
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Feb 14
Love0

Strategies for Preparing Teens with NVLD for College, by Sally

By Parents Blogs

Preparing your teen for college is no small task. Between test prep, college essays and applications, financial aid, and high school graduation, the time leading up to the first day of college is filled with plenty of activities. If your child has had to work through the symptoms of Non-Verbal Learning Disability (NVLD) throughout high school, you may be concerned with how to best prepare him or her for college life. It is a common misconception that college is not a realistic option for those who have NVLD. However, many individuals with the condition have gone on to graduate with a degree.
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Jan 26
Love4

I Feel Like a Walking Paradox, by Tara

By NVLD Bloggers

I was diagnosed with NVLD at age 22.

At the time, I had switched programs at college – having just failed my studies in animation, where difficulties with certain aspects of the program became a final prompt to have me checked out for a possible learning disorder.

I was relieved, finally knowing what had caused so many grievances in my life both academically and non-academically; however, the timing of the news was a mixed blessing.
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Jan 24
Love3

Finally… an answer, by Louise

By Parents Blogs

After 15 years we are finally beginning to understand our son.

When he began elementary school things were fine. He was an extremely bright child. By the time he was in first grade he was reading chapter books and excelling in math and sports. It wasn’t until he started second grade when I began to see he was struggling socially.
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Jan 15
Love0

Spending the Summer Unplugged, by Debbie & Eric Sasson

By Experts Blog

I spend my summers, along with my husband and our two daughters in rural Vermont with 120 children who think of themselves as “quirky” – many of whom have a diagnosis of NVLD.  Our community of over 200 people has an amazingly rare opportunity to spend the summer months almost completely unplugged.  Aside from daily communication with parents via email and phone, we live without television, cell phones, video games.  You see, we run a residential summer camp where we focus on the things that matter most…interpersonal IN PERSON relationships – something so many of us now struggle to find time for.

I just finished reading two articles about the impact of smartphones on our emotional wellbeing and our intelligence.  Neither article was positive.  The bottom line is that our constant use of our phones has caused us to feel more depressed, to sleep less, to interact with others less and to be more distracted.  All of these factors are even more intense for teens who are using phones these days as a way to interact with peers.
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Jan 08
Love0

The Swan Transformation, by Nisha

By NVLD Bloggers

Let’s start at the very beginning… a very good place to start.

So what is a learning disability? If you Google it, you will be linked to many definitions. The easiest way I know how to sum it up is an invisible disability that encompasses social, emotional, physical and fine motor challenges.
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Dec 18
Love2

Niches, by Anna

By NVLD Bloggers

In my experience living a successful and happy life with NVLD seems to be about finding–or creating– niches. It can be a confusing path to find them, but they exist.

I was diagnosed with having some sort of learning disorder when I was in kindergarten in the late 80s, but I wasn’t given the name nonverbal learning disorder until I went back for neurospych testing when I was 28. Growing up, academics seemed to be the focus of treatment for the condition, but I knew there was more to it. By fifth grade I seemed to have gotten academics down, except for math. I loved science (when it didn’t have math in it). But the things that I found the most challenging about NVLD were the parts that were not academic. I feel this was because no one was working with me on those things the way the did academics.
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Dec 14
Love6

Trapped, by Kate

By NVLD Bloggers

Ever since I was little, I knew something was different. I hated math and science, because my struggles with them made it impossible for me to understand. My peers all seemed to hate me, and I couldn’t figure out what I had done to make them feel that way. I felt uncomfortable in every place I stood, no matter where I was. I hated (and still hate) when people touch me without permission. I talked too much, whether to someone else, or just to myself. Schools were unwilling to offer the support I needed, even when they didn’t have to do anything, other than listen to my doctor or another expert. I felt unloved. I felt invisible. I felt completely clueless.
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