Below is an example of letters I would right:
Hello Mr. C,
I was wondering, with your experience in science through the education system, if you would be able to vocalize about the difficulties with nonverbal learning disability-identified students?
It seems to me that they are adapted perfectly for scientific pursuits, they are honest and make observations about everything. They have a semi-audio and visual memory which can be very useful for remembering facts and can be a great strength.
This disability is a spectrum. As we’ve seen with many disabilities one size does not fit all, the disability affects individuals differently and they have different symptoms.
One of the pitfalls of individuals with a nonverbal learning disability is understanding social cues, this is usually attempted to correct with behavioral therapy, but it is unproductive because the brain has a defect in the right hemisphere that affects the white matter, and it seems that the brain can’t compensate regardless. The individual is born that way, examples: similar to trying to change the color of your skin, or if you identify as a homosexual (disclaimer: this is not meant to be offensive, it just seems that it’s a similar struggle).
There isn’t medication to help for this disability, like for example ADHD – being prescribed Ritalin, it is not as well understood as dyslexia and has more complex parameters to explain to society. For example with dyslexia: doctors can identify the problem by watching the person struggle with reading and can see a tangible situation that is easy to understand, and can be easily explained to the masses.
Many people with ADHD also struggled a few years ago with the same concept, but because it has been researched, it is more widely accepted in society.
This is not an easy task to take on, any advocacy for this disability is diligently needed, but unfortunately, the individuals that have it, with their social cues issues, are not well-liked, and they seem to conflict with each other so they unable to organize because they’re all dealing with the same difficulties, and just trigger each other.
Please see the attached letters.
I appreciate you taking the time to read this email,
Lindsey
PS: I appreciate any help you can give.
Tangent note disclaimer:
I graduated in a scientific field, and just because I graduated in a scientific field does not mean that that is the right path for every person with NVLD, I truly believe that when you figure out something that you want to do passionately you have to face adversity.
It is easy to say it and difficult to apply it.
I only have my own experiences to rely on, and even through diligent reading of scientific papers from proper sources, it is important to question all information that you read (understand there are biases), and how you’re affected by the individuals around you. At the end of the day, look at the relationships you have, and ask yourself these questions “is this person good for me?”; “Do they promote the kind of person that I want to be?”; “Do we help each other achieve our goals?”
Lindsey
I’ve been through the cycle of being ostracized and stereotyped and seen the pitfalls of this Learning disability.
I believe changing human rights procedures to identify this as a learning disability on the DSM-5 is a productive way to contribute to helping NVLD individuals and promoting research and human rights legislation.
