Exactly 1 year ago, I was diagnosed with NVLD at 26 years old. When the clinician called me to discuss the results and confirmed I had NVLD, I cried, since my teen years and college (especially the latter, where I especially struggled socially due to lack of structure and burnout) would’ve been less isolating and stressful with an appropriate diagnosis. 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
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
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
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.
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
Growing up with undiagnosed NVLD and ADHD was deeply challenging. While a few teachers were supportive, most students did not recognize my struggles, and I often felt ostracized within school social structures—from elementary school through high school. Because my learning disabilities were not diagnosed until my sophomore year, many teachers approached me with preconceived notions, labeling my difficulties with listening, following directions, interpreting nonverbal cues, and fine motor tasks as me being “difficult” or a “challenge,” rather than recognizing that I needed additional support. Read More
After years of struggling in life, struggles finding work that I could do (adequately), struggles in housing and homelessness, not being able to learn how to drive-despite much effort and hard work I knew enough was enough. That my inability to do these things-which are pretty much required to live a decent life, have a career and be self-sufficient- was not my fault and I wasn’t lazy or unmotivated but must have an undiagnosed disability. Read More
Parents often express worry regarding their child’s social, academic, and professional future. They tell me, “My child has no friends, they struggle in math, getting lost, tying their shoes, etc.” Of course, these are legitimate concerns regarding many children with NVLD, and there are steps that you can take to help your child develop everyday living, social, and academic skills. Read More
Hi everyone, and welcome back, the podcast where we explore life through the lens of authenticity, resilience, and self-compassion.
Today’s episode is called “Being Neurodivergent and Self-Partnering: What It Is and Why It Matters.”
If you’ve ever felt like you move through the world just a little differently—or maybe a lot differently—this episode is especially for you. And if you’ve ever struggled with invisible learning challenges or the weight of trying to “pass” as neurotypical, you are not alone. Read More
