1. Take advantage of disability accommodations: This is extremely helpful for extra time on tests, figuring out which classes may be easiest with fulfilling math or science distributions (learned the hard way to only take easy classes first semester after withdrawing from a psychology class because I was failing), and if your school allows it, getting a single as a first-year since an incompatible roommate can make your life hell. Read More
It’s no secret that I am a true believer that each inclusion decision should be individualized, as every student has different overall needs. However, I am also realistic that for each decision to be completely successful both inside and outside of the classroom, the proper support is so helpful. So in this piece, I will discuss the different forms of inclusion options for students with an NVLD and other Learning Disabilities. Read More
My boyfriend introduced me to the sport 4 years ago, and at first I got into it without any expectations; at the beginning, progress came quickly, but soon enough, I felt completely overwhelmed, leaving the gym exhausted and frustrated.
Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever go beyond V3s as my baseline anymore because it’s like being tone deaf in music: I simply lack spatial intuition, and I am unable to form mental images in my head. I end up wasting way too much energy on a single movement while some make it look effortless. At V3s and below, the holds are generally good enough to figure out the movements directly on the wall, but above V3, the hesitation costs me way too much energy, and I freeze because I don’t have that instant spatial map. Getting stronger helped me hang onto worse holds longer, but I still felt something was off. Read More
I was diagnosed with NVLD at 26, just months after earning my Master’s degree. Although the diagnosis wasn’t surprising, it was bittersweet. For years, I blamed myself for struggling with math, visual-spatial tasks, executive functioning, and social communication despite working twice as hard as everyone else just to feel drained. Read More
People judge what they can see.
They see whether I have a job.
Whether I smile.
Whether I make eye contact.
Whether I appear calm.
Whether I “fit in.” Read More
Existing in an ableist world as a teenager with NVLD can be exhausting. Growing up, I often felt like an outsider looking in and struggled to find a sense of belonging. I didn’t quite fit into certain friend circles. I tended to heavily mask to survive the unwritten social code that existed within high school. I often felt like a fish out of water. I knew I was different, yet I didn’t quite understand why. Read More
Alright, good morning everybody. Happy Friday, or maybe it’s Saturday, depending on when you’re listening to this. I know it’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve done an episode.
I was juggling a lot of things and couldn’t find time to do one, so I decided to do one today. You know what, instead of me just promoting Etsy verbally, I’m gonna go grab a couple of items from the shop so you guys can actually see them. I’ll be right back. So this is an example of one of them.
These are the little toys I’ve been knitting lately. This is another one,e and then this is another one. I know they don’t look perfect, but I don’t think anything really does look perfect in the end, and from me, knitting is a little challenging because of my NVLD and my other learning differences, so I just do the best I can whenever I knit something. Read More
I am that mom who has had to go toe to toe with all persons interacting either my son who has NVLD. 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
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.
