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NVLD Bloggers

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An Open Letter To Explained How Structure Support Programs Make A Difference, by Eileen

By Eileen, NVLD Bloggers

To Dr. Anne- My first time meeting you when we came down  to finalize my Arch Accommodation Plan I didn’t know what to totally expect as you had some doubts but yet were also impressed by my determination and work ethics. What greatly impressed me is how during it you focus first on these traits first and then share some ways I would be successful. One of them was to check in with you weekly and thankfully I listened to you. What I remember most was you telling me after only a month at Dean that I was a student who you no longer had to worry about. This was special to me as so many believed college was the wrong choice for me, yet here I was at college being successful. You truly set a wonderful example of how students with an NVLD and other Learning Disabilities, when given some extra attention, are successful in college. For me this led to you seeing my ability first and becoming a real advocate to me. You even made sure the locks in my dorm got changed to ID cards only  as you saw the key was too tricky for me. You truly were an incredible program director and my strongest advocate.
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The Benefits of Decreasing Accommodations and Support In High School, by Eileen

By Eileen, NVLD Bloggers

In my experience overcoming an NVLD, students with the disability or other Learning Disabilities can be given too many accommodations and support through high school. While this may seem helpful in the long run this can do more harm than good as it limits the opportunities to learn how to self-advocate and overcome challenges on your own.
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You Are Not Alone!, by Jennifer

By NVLD Bloggers

Do you ever feel invisible because of the learning challenges you have? Or because of the emotions, you have trouble expressing? Or maybe you feel like no one understands you because it’s hard for you to explain what it’s like to be you?

I’m here to share with you my experiences in these areas and let you know that you’re not the only one who has these feelings or emotions.
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The Importance of Going After Challenges, by Eileen

By Eileen, NVLD Bloggers

Growing up with an NVLD I watched so many students living with similar challenges not challenging themselves and honestly I didn’t get it. In my eyes, being challenged leads to greater results both academically and personally. Therefore, I believe more IEP teams and parents need to understand that being challenged leads students to seeing their true potential and not being afraid to encourage students to take on challenges. As I look back I feel I learned so much from always being challenged.
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NVLD and Understanding Personal Relationships, by Eileen

By Eileen, NVLD Bloggers

One of the hardest things about having an NVLD is that for some it can take some extra time to truly understand which adults you work with really believe in you and how many of your peers are truly accepting and understanding of your unique deficits. If people are too kind to you it can seem like they just “feel sorry” for you or if they are pushing you to go the extra mile it can seem like they are being mean when neither is the case.
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The Moment I Realized: What Makes Me Emily, by Emily

By NVLD Bloggers

My name is Emily, and I am 24 years old. When I was 22, I found out I have Non-Verbal Learning Disability. (NVLD). I found out what that was through my Neuropsychologist. When I was in first grade, we started learning how to count money. I couldn’t figure it out for the life of me. I’d get so frustrated when the other kids understood and I didn’t.
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NVLD and Academic Planning, by Eileen

By Eileen, NVLD Bloggers

I believe too many IEP teams still believe the local community college and district summer work programs are our only options. This is far from the truth. I believe it is the lack of awareness of what is available that limits success for some students. Personally, if I didn’t go away for a summer program and then on to a college with comprehensive support and campus life, I wouldn’t have achieved as much as I did academically and socially.
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