Living with NVLD (Nonverbal Learning Disorder) has shaped many of my social experiences, especially when it comes to relationships, rejection, and trying to connect with others. One of the hardest lessons I have had to learn is that not everyone will understand me, accept me, or want to be close to me. For a long time, I took rejection very personally, especially from family members and in friendships. I often believed that if people disliked me or pulled away, it meant there was something wrong with me. Over time, I have started learning that rejection is painful, but it does not define my worth as a person. Read More
Ever since I was young, I have had difficulty making friends and maintaining relationships. This is because I often get confused with people’s facial expressions, social expectations, and societal rules. This has gotten me into a lot of trouble throughout my life, including suspensions, messy breakups, and social isolation. Because there has been little understanding and support for NVLD, I experienced ableism which lead to depression. As an adult, I struggle to live alone because there have been little to no supports for my needs. Read More
One of the things that you continue to read about is how students with an NVLD and other learning disabilities are at great risk of having very low self-esteem. This is especially the case if they have more than just academic deficits. In my personal opinion, social media has made it worse, and at times, it’s the adults’ fault, which I know they don’t mean to cause hurt. So in this piece, I will list some of the examples to help make it more positive for everyone.
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Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) is often described as a difficulty in ‘seeing the big picture.’ In my daily life, this trait manifests itself in very concrete ways—both on my plate and in my headphones. Read More
This article was originally posted by Benjamin Meyer, LCSW-R on https://www.benjaminmeyerlcsw.
We know that it can be difficult to date as a neurodivergent person. When I first created a dating curriculum, I wanted to offer a guide for understanding the stages of dating, how to recognize and practice flirting, and how to develop self-confidence. While this group was a helpful start, I began to realize that there is more that could be offered by creating a space for neurodivergent people, including those with NVLD, to support one another in the dating process. Many neurodivergent people are told to date using neurotypical norms but may not have the opportunity to discover what will work for them. I wanted to run a group for people who weren’t necessarily looking to be told how to date but rather wanted to provide reinforcement to one another on their own dating journey. Read More
Throughout my life, I have struggled to make friends. I can remember, as early as three years old, approaching adults rather than kids my own age out of fear of rejection. This worry has permeated my entire life.
I yearned for companionship, often feeling alone and isolated. In my mid-twenties, I attended a few events, but no friendships came from them. A couple of months after I turned 33, I made a decision: I wasn’t going to be lonely anymore.
By now the majority of the seniors are done with their college and other post-secondary applications, and the juniors are starting the process. While the process can be challenging for all students, for students with an NVLD and similar disabilities, it can bring greater challenges. To reach their maximum potential, these students need to find a place that can provide academic, social, and personal support. Unfortunately, not everyone does, and as a result, these students have a greater risk to struggle in college. So, in this piece, I will discuss the importance of doing your research for post-secondary planning, as your chosen environment contributes to success just as much as overall ability.
I am 57 years old. I only learned I had NVLD when I was 48. I suspected I had an LD when, as a software engineer, a much better programmer than I, called my attention to things in my code that, to him, didn’t make sense, but even more telling was my seeming inability to remember things he told me and apply them. I said to him, as I had suspected for a couple of years, that maybe I had an LD. He agreed and suggested I get tested. I had already been diagnosed with ADD some number of years prior. Read More
In my previous piece, I discussed my personal frustrations with what many believed students with an NVLD and similar disabilities aren’t able to do. This is truly so disappointing to me. I know, personally, these beliefs aren’t entirely true, as most things they can do are achieved by taking advantage of all the resources available to them and through their own determination and hard work. So now I will continue explaining the different examples and how to do them successfully. Setting limitations for these students is truly a mistake. Read More
My name is Leila, and I was diagnosed with NVLD when I was in fifth grade. Having NVLD has made it really hard for me to do a lot of things. I’ve struggled with math since I was a child, and I still can’t ride a bike like all my other friends. I cannot tell the difference between sarcasm and literal things, and it’s super frustrating to me when my friends don’t understand, or when I misinterpret what they say. It sometimes makes me feel too sensitive or disconnected from others. Read More
