tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post2917608424192754799..comments2023-10-09T06:21:41.858-04:00Comments on Barriers, Bridges and Books: Non Verbal Learning Disorder and UsTerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802459265546733391noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-73058530257212487592013-03-29T21:55:16.043-04:002013-03-29T21:55:16.043-04:00(I am sorry, I just saw this today.. I had forgott...(I am sorry, I just saw this today.. I had forgotten that I need to check for comments now)<br /><br />I am so sorry for your struggle... and so glad that you stand by your child. It is horrible when you are stuck in a pile of un-believers... and so hard to keep your optimism. Our kids have a different path, but it IS a path!Terrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14802459265546733391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-64594169467313935912013-02-08T23:19:33.522-05:002013-02-08T23:19:33.522-05:00We have had an awful time with school since 4th gr...We have had an awful time with school since 4th grade, and were even told to punish our child by a middle school guidance counselor. Our guidance counselors are so limited in their abilities to understand NLD, I don't waste my time with them anymore. Our child wasn't diagnosed until high school, and has been emotionally damaged by her school experiences. The IEP we finally got in place has been little help. The teachers all consider themselves "too busy" to deal with an individual child who needs a different approach, more help with organization, and doesn't learn like the average learner. "If she would only work harder" has been the constant from teachers who have no interest in understanding that it is not lack of effort, it is lack of visual spatial perception and conception, motor skills impairments, processing speed and working memory challenges, lack of organization skills, etc. The IEP chair person is supposed to be a special educator, but is so immature and lacking in special education skills that she won't speak to my child and won't respond to my correspondence because I suggest that she needs to take another approach to dealing with my child. I am forced to try to deal with six different high school teachers to try to negotiate support and find ways for my child to learn and be successful. It's not going well, that's for sure. We have run across a few exceptional teachers who are willing to listen and learn so that they can be effective in teaching our child, but they are truly the exceptions, not the rule. The administrators choose to put their heads in the sand...after all my child is just one of a great many and really isn't important to them. Yes, I am bitter and sickened by the lack of professionalism and concern from this public school.<br /><br />Despite all of that, I daily treasure my child and reassure her that she is not defined by small-minded curriculum imparters, but by her own beautiful insight, creativity, quirky sense of humor, loyalty, and a soul that has been touched by an angel. I worry about the future but I am secure in my knowledge that my child is a beautiful, special person who will find a way to grow and learn and be successful in her own way.Keeping it in Perspectivenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-15346378061032750862012-01-14T17:33:29.206-05:002012-01-14T17:33:29.206-05:00I'm sorry I didn't see your comment until ...I'm sorry I didn't see your comment until today. For my son it was important to know that his fine motor skills were very impacted, that he could not mult-task (as in listen and take notes at the same time--input and output needed to be separate), that he has a very slow processing time but also has a very large working memory, that executive functions are foreign to him (you can't say 'get organized' he needs to be taught how), that he does not learn by repitition and that he had a learning disability and is bright...<br /><br />The most important things in his IEP were 1. Assistive tech (keyboarding is much more efficient than writing--and a laptop, not alphasmart once he got to hs), 2. Extended time for everything--he knows his material, but is quite slow, the time allows him to show what he knows. Also modifying amount of work--10 problems was enough, 30 would take all night and teach him nothing more. 3. Teachers who were highly verbal. He processes language best, fewer graphs and more narrative is his best learning style. 4. Study skills/organizational skills instruction--he hated it, but needed it! 5. A point person who listened. When he would run into a glitch having someone who could look for the missing pieces with him was essential. Discipline would not identify the missing piece (and if you listened you could easily tell the difference between not feeling like it and not getting it!)<br /><br />This is a quick summary, I hope it helps. Your student is lucky to have a teacher who investigates. I 'may' be one of those parents sometimes, but when it was obvious the school was actively working for him I would ease off very happily. Good luck! My son is in college now and holding his own... thanks to some awesome teachers!Terrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14802459265546733391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-44235688956691004142011-12-13T15:30:07.632-05:002011-12-13T15:30:07.632-05:00Question for parents: I am a Special Education te...Question for parents: I am a Special Education teacher in California and am working with a family whose son was diagnosed with NVLD (NLD)--in your opinion, what are the most effective accommodations a school can provide a student (he is in high school) academically? I feel I have all of the bases covered, but have had some intense interactions with the parents lately about what we are doing to support their son. I could really use some insight as I want to make sure that the upcoming IEP is a positive experience and that I do the right thing.<br /><br />Thanks for your help!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-18107109386356268162009-11-15T09:11:59.277-05:002009-11-15T09:11:59.277-05:00Annonymous and Karen, I am sorry, I don't know...Annonymous and Karen, I am sorry, I don't know when you made these comments as Blogger no longer e-mails me when comments come (grrrr!)<br /><br />It's heartwrenching to watch your kids struggle and have it minimized... And it is sooo frustrating. It is not to systems' advantage to acknowledge differences or struggles... then they would have to change something. And they LIKE the way they do things...<br /><br />Advocacy skills sometimes help... relationship-building with your district (not the PTO, teachers and principals) sometimes helps. Remebering that it's a marathon and not a sprint helps me... except when I am tired out...<br /><br />We went through the same thing with Tom, from kindergarten through 7th grade. That's 8 years of advocacy... with them saying there was really nothing wrong. It has been better lately but it took forever to get here. <br /><br />Hang in there. (Easy to say, harder to do, of course...)Terrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14802459265546733391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-80970834461391249442009-11-02T17:09:22.971-05:002009-11-02T17:09:22.971-05:00anonymous, you are describing my son to a "T...anonymous, you are describing my son to a "T". It is hard to fight a system who believes nothing is wrong with your child.....<br /><br />karen (who again can't get the comp to accept my password)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-26663733050567139312009-11-02T16:00:52.237-05:002009-11-02T16:00:52.237-05:00My son...in borrowing words from U.S. District Jud...My son...in borrowing words from U.S. District Judge Marvin Shoob..."A lesser spirit would have been crushed long ago." He's too quiet to be a "problem" student. He's too polite to be a "bad influence". He's too typical looking to have a "real" disability. He's athletic, so "he can't really have learning needs." His grades range from A's to F's - they say he should try harder. If they only could see he works twice as hard for half the reward.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-21028232988915126672009-10-11T20:07:12.033-04:002009-10-11T20:07:12.033-04:00Hello MomofAmanda, I completely agree with you. My...Hello MomofAmanda, I completely agree with you. My first belief is in my son and his capacity to make his way-his way. The whole goal is supporting him in his life, nothing else.<br /><br />For some kids there is more than accepting help at stake too. At some schools getting help is very stigmatizing which makes having any difference hard to accept. And some folks don't like difference at all--in themselves or others. The teen years are just hard sometimes also... I don't think there is a 'formula.'<br /><br />My son finds the whole thing interesting thus far and finds developing accommodations to make things work an interesting puzzle. But it could certainly have gone differently up til now--and still could as he grows up.<br /><br />Accommodations and supports are supposed to be like me having a computer or a blackberry--they help and make some things much easier, but can we get by without? Sure we can...<br /><br />We parents just give it what we can and trust them to build their path. And they will--Terrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14802459265546733391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-33213985571847889732009-10-11T15:49:26.972-04:002009-10-11T15:49:26.972-04:00My daughter was diagnosed with NVLD and dyslexia. ...My daughter was diagnosed with NVLD and dyslexia. Her biggest problem is that she does not want to acknowledge that she learns differently and there must work differently. It is a real challenge and a roster of subject tutors and learning specialists that I am hoping will get her to focus on what she can do to take control of her work. She was recently retested (11th Grade)and was curious about the results and what they meant. The doctor who did the testing spent time explaining the accommodations she needs - such as extra time - but she has rejected in the past. There is an old saying, you can take a horse to water but you cannot make it drink. As parents, we are putting all the resources we can find at her disposal - she has our love and support, but she has to be willing to embrace the concept that only she can do the work that it takes to succeed.momofamandanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-42116576072851407312009-07-27T19:45:37.231-04:002009-07-27T19:45:37.231-04:00Thanks for your input Monica it was so interesting...Thanks for your input Monica it was so interesting to see it through the eyes of someone with NLD.<br /><br /> Unfortunately I am more confused then ever. The more we investigated the private school we learned that some people had issues with it. Some people we spoke with thought they were getting a better education for their kids, but when they went on to high school they were no better off, and sometimes worse, then their public school peers. Plus I worry that with only one teacher per grade and some of them without teaching credentials you don't know what to expect.<br /><br />On the other side however we went to see the public school principal today and she basically thinks he does not have a real learning disability because he can learn. In fact she thinks that because he has an average intelligence and is doing above average work that he is actually overachieving already (even though the neuropsych put in her report that she believes his IQ is not an true indicator of his intelligence because of the variables. She also insinuated that perhaps the neuro-psych that tested him was inexperienced and that the program we are sending him to for the summer is just trying to take our money. I believe that she truly has Keaton's best interest at heart and that she believes what she says, but I am getting information from so many sources and don't know who to believe anymore. I want things set in place for future years, such as jr high, when things become more difficult for him. I also want to make learning easier for him. My husband thought she was great, although he also liked the private school director. We set up an appointment in two weeks to meet with the school psych, his teacher for next year and the principal. The principal wants to discuss things the teacher can do in class for him. She stated that she can try to give us a 504, but they are usually used for kids who have medical issues such as diabetes and that she doesn't believe he needs one. <br /><br />She made me feel foolish and that I am causing Keaton more harm than good, that he will succeed on his own without any intervention because he will learn to manage his own problem areas. <br /><br />I guess I need to find an advocate that can help me sort out this mess. I tried at the beginning to do this but only spoke with two. The first did not speak English well and the second had never heard of NLD.<br /><br />AHH I am starting to believe I am crazy:)karen rothfusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-18394679110102779962009-07-25T14:22:53.437-04:002009-07-25T14:22:53.437-04:00As a recent college grad with NLD I would say that...As a recent college grad with NLD I would say that you should pick the smaller private school. He'll do better in a smaller environment. Also, the academics are more important that the socialization. I was terrorized in the larger grades and having a large student body to deal with made it harder. I understand that you also want him to learn to socialize as that is an issue with NLDer's as well. One thing that I suggest is starting a club based on a shared interest of your son and some peers that is fully monitored in the beginning and then they can be alone more. Each person can have a specific duty. Maybe you can even quietly record the meetings and share them with just your son so that he can hear some of the stuff that he says. Personally I say stuff that sounds okay to me, but when I hear it replayed I get embarassed and think "did I really say that!"<br /> As for the college thing, it did take me 5 years to get through junior college. That's mostly from taking medical withdrawals and taking half loads. No one taught me how to take notes, organize myself, etc. Also I just got diagnosed a few weeks ago. Officially as LDNOS---My insurance won't cover testing, but I do have NLD. As for my BA, I went to The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wa, which was a mixed feeling. First of all Evergreen is a Liberal Arts college that gives narrative evaluations rather than grades. You can choose between the common program (16 credits---4 credits from 4 separate subjects) taught by one or more faculty members---i.e. he wouldn't go to separate rooms for separate subjects, also many programs have a thing called seminar in which you discuss that week's reading; night and weekend classes which are like other college courses, but with narrative evaluations; Internships where you can get credit for working; and my favorite independent contracts. You can put together a contract on what you will be studying and how you plan on gaining and showing your knowledge---this is the best for NLDer's because I hate reading as I can't read that fast nor understand the subject matter. Anyways, hope I gave you some insight.<br /><br />MonicaMonicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17942093192880912948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-3289939372157615572009-07-25T13:03:34.797-04:002009-07-25T13:03:34.797-04:00Sorry about my previous neurotic comment about my ...Sorry about my previous neurotic comment about my worries regarding Keaton getting into college. It has always been a dream of mine that both my boys go to college, but I realize I need to take one day at a time and not look too far into the future. Plus after speaking with Keaton's summer teacher she has stated if he wants he will be able to go (as long as he doesn't get sidetracked in high school :) ) and that his disability can be an advantage in some ways in that he can get special help getting in and once he gets there.<br /><br />Also TaDaa I am finding myself in the same predicament as you much sooner then I expected. We are trying to decide between two schools for Keaton next year (One school starts in two weeks) His summer teacher recommended a private school near us that is VERY small. 175 kids in K-8. They are 14 in kids in the class Keaton would be. They also break down the class for certain subjects and so he would learn math and English in 5-1. They are very academic and teach french, computers, along with the regular curriculum. They also teach primarily auditory. Both his summer teacher and neuro-psych think he will be able to do the work if it is presented in this type of environment. We spoke with the head of the school and although she stated that they they cannot accomodate his LD they are willing to do things I don't think his reg school will such as if he has trouble with tests they will read them to him, if he cannot learn to automatically use cursive they will allow him to print. They also have smart boards so that he can use his computer for notes in higher grades.<br /><br />We meet with his public school principal on Monday and she has been very nice and has made sure he has gotten the best teacher for him next year (this is the school that starts soon) but because he is not failing academically he will not get alot of help or accomodations. In fact when our neuro-psych spoke with the school's psych she as told that Keaton would be a very low priority. He will probably only get more time on tests and with Calif is such crisis regarding education they are moving the class size up so that he will have 35 to 1. <br />So I too am torn. Do I pick the one that is academic(but might be too hard for him) or do I pick the one that is good for him socially and hope that I can fill the voids academically? <br /><br />Also Terri, Keaton has been at this summer program and it is very interesting some of the things I have learned. They are trying to raise his visual abilities and his ability to process faster. They also work on visualization for comprehension and a bunch of other stuff. One thing I didn't realize is that the reason he has trouble with cursive and with copying things from the board to paper. You may already know this, but it is kinda like how they say kids who don't crawl have trouble reading. Well since keaton's visual was impaired in the first year of life, he did not see and reach for things. Other kids this age learn automatic muscle control at this time, but he never did. So he has to think about writing each letter instead of it being automatic. So wereas other kids can just process what they need to put on paper, Keaton has to think of each thing individually; what is on the board, what is the teacher saying and also how to form each letter so he can put it on paper. He is also very unaware of his body because of this. If you tap him on his back and then ask him to point to a diagram of were he was touched, he can't do it. If you show him a hand sign and ask him to copy it behind his back or with his eyes closed he can't do it.Karen Rothfushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16669323723103274219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-50807436962416944932009-07-01T20:00:43.921-04:002009-07-01T20:00:43.921-04:00Also Terri (I know I always have a million questio...Also Terri (I know I always have a million questions for you) is Tom taking regular classes vs. AP and Honor classes and if so how will that affect his college aspects. I ask because we recently met with older sons counselor regarding his classes for the next two years of high school. He is taking five AP classes in his Jr year and I was concerned it was too much and that he should take some honors classes instead in the subjects he does not like as well. She stated that he needs the AP classes because he would have trouble getting into a college with just honors. I worry for Keaton when he gets to high school, what is your experience?<br /><br />thanksKaren Rothfushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16669323723103274219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-45954677399689834682009-07-01T19:54:54.999-04:002009-07-01T19:54:54.999-04:00Terri, How did your school work on finding a langu...Terri, How did your school work on finding a language based math teacher? Did they have certain things in mind or did they take recommendations from school personal etc.Karen Rothfushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16669323723103274219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-54268418162507454312009-07-01T08:18:59.184-04:002009-07-01T08:18:59.184-04:00Thanks Mary Ann and Karen!
My son's high scho...Thanks Mary Ann and Karen!<br /><br />My son's high school program has been regular classes for everything, computers for all output (sometimes he doesn't use it for math though),and Resource Room every day for study help and organization. He gets double time for all tests--uses every minute of it for social studies and English, finishes a bit earlier for math. They also split some of his requirements--he took Math B this year (which includes geometry) and will take chemistry next year--they worked to find him a language-based math teacher too.<br /><br />You may find my post about belonging to groups helpful. If you click on the title of the blog it will bring you to the main page, or in the right column click on the non-verbal learning disorder or social skills tag to read it.Terrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14802459265546733391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-92172418218292019742009-07-01T07:34:24.854-04:002009-07-01T07:34:24.854-04:00Karen...for high school we decided that my daughte...Karen...for high school we decided that my daughter would receive direct instruction in small class settings for ELA and Math (she has to pass standardized testing in these subjects to graduate in our state). She will also be in small class settings for Social Studies and Science. We connected with a guidance councilor at the school who will be our contact person if we feel the schedule needs to be changed. We made it clear that flexibility was important so if my daughter is feeling overwhelmed or under-challenged we can change her schedule to accommodate her. My daughter will also receive academic support one period a day for SS and Science. She will be given more time for tests (1 1/2 times). She is also taking career explorations where students spend a couple of weeks at a time exploring all the vocational programs offered at her school. Finally, she is going to run cross country so we are hoping she will make some connections and friends which is an issue for her. Finally, I think we are going to have to make sure her teachers follow her IEP because I do hear that some teachers are reluctant to do so. Of course, they're supposed to follow it but....Maryannnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-39198201389772875752009-06-28T19:32:59.561-04:002009-06-28T19:32:59.561-04:00Maryann, can you tell us what accommodations you ...Maryann, can you tell us what accommodations you decided on with the high school in regards to your daughter?Karen Rothfushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16669323723103274219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-45694800006089543042009-06-28T19:29:19.376-04:002009-06-28T19:29:19.376-04:00Tadaa, I am behind all of you in that my son will...Tadaa, I am behind all of you in that my son will start fourth grade this year, but I am also so worried about middle school because of the horrors I hear and see about it. I too, already, am contemplating my options. <br /><br />For my son I know that I will have to find a balance of all the factors that are important to me. Like what is best for his self esteem and also academically, socially and in regards to sports (his favorite thing) and also be aware of his feelings because he will do best if he believes he will be successful in a certain environment. <br /><br />I also will search out people that can help me make this decision and who are not biased in their opinions. For example this summer my son is going to a center for learning disabilities and although I was reluctant to put my trust in the director, I have begun to realize how amazing her skill is in knowing what he needs and how to achieve it. If I am able to put my trust in her long term then I will ask her opinion. <br /><br />Also look towards people who have lived through it, (like Terri). I also just read a book by a woman whose daughter has NLD (the author is a counselor herself) and she has sections in the book about how to choose a school. She also adds how she chose them for her daughter, what worked and what didn't. It is inspiring also because her daughter is now in graduate school.<br /><br />Since your daughter loves learning I think it is important to pick someplace where that love will be nurtured. Ask her what is important and let her visit both places when kids are in residence... One might be too overwhelming for her, while the other might feel like home? <br /><br />I'm sorry I can't be more concrete, but pass on any words of wisdom you learn during this process to me so that when my time of worry comes.....lol.Karen Rothfushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16669323723103274219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-36700801979972296042009-06-27T20:35:10.637-04:002009-06-27T20:35:10.637-04:00I would like to comment on Tadaa's situation. ...I would like to comment on Tadaa's situation. My NVLD child is also a girl and she has experienced many of the things you have mentioned (girls are mean!!). She has just finished middle school and will be entering high school this fall. I really agonized over what would be best for her. Were we live, there is only one private school that goes up to high school level and I really felt she would not do well there. She would not get any academic support and I also worried about the social aspects since class sizes are small and opportunities to meet new people limited. We do, however, have a charter school that has small classes but has an emphasis on the arts and technology. She was accepted to the school but we ended up not choosing that school either for 2 reasons: they have no sport programs at all and I feel that that is an area that might let my daughter branch out and make new friends and they also have no vocational program. We ended up choosing the local high school but we made sure that she would receive accommodations so she can succeed. It was a hard decision and I have often wished that I had sent her to the charter school several years earlier. It is so hard at this age. If your daughter is happy at this school and making progress I would be inclined to leave her there. Why not visit your high school and see what they have to offer for your daughter and what they would expect from her. That might make it easier to make your decision.Maryannnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-57502791632590012742009-06-26T09:39:34.301-04:002009-06-26T09:39:34.301-04:00Hello Tadaa! I have some opinions about this, but ...Hello Tadaa! I have some opinions about this, but they are just my opinions--I am not an expert by any means!<br /><br />To my way of thinking school is about learning to do the things we don't know how to do, not to get more and more of what we do know how to do. And learning to work in larger groups fits into this...<br /><br />BUT the operative term here is LEARNING--these processes (ie: larger group learning, things like organizing, etc) are not going to come naturally. They must be taught/coached. If the supports to teach (not just expect--which is a post for another day!) her to be successful in the larger setting it could be like throwing a non-swimmer in the deep end of a pool without a swimming teacher... not pretty. <br /><br />Sorry I can't give the either/or on this. The goal from my standpoint would be to reduce sheltering without leaving her on her own.<br /><br />I am with your daughter--I have never understood when girls are mean (and I am way out of high school!)<br /><br />I have concerns about Math-U-See for NVLD kids because their stronger learning style is usually language-based and not visual (whereas kids with Down syndrome are often stronger visually.) Doing it 1:1 may succeed because she and the teacher talk it through as they go. This only matters if you are advocating for a math program in a different setting, you may need to tease out WHY it is working.<br /><br />I would push hard for supports in the school. My son has had Resource Room for a period a day for the past few years so he gets a check-in daily and that has worked well.<br /><br />You can also begin a building process by introducing opportunities to grow into the smaller setting (or in after school activities--like a large martial arts class with an attentive and supportive sensei.)<br /><br />I hope you find this helpful--these decisions are so tricky...Terrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14802459265546733391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-70875263226785895662009-06-26T08:18:34.835-04:002009-06-26T08:18:34.835-04:00Hi Terri - love your insight! I was wondering if ...Hi Terri - love your insight! I was wondering if anyone following this blog can answer a question for me. My daughter is going into 7th grade. She has had an iep since 1st grade - with a primary coding of SLD (specific LD) with a secondary coding of speech and language impairment. Basically because of receptive and expressive language 'issues'. This past year I got together with an educational consultant and she says that my daughter shows 'some NLD-ish profiles'. Mainly because she is a fluent reader yet struggles to comprehend, she has some social pragmatic problems, difficulty with time and space and her place in it, has math difficulties, writing struggles, and she is a 'concrete, literal thinker'. She always has challenges with holding info in short-term memory.<br /><br />She always loved learning and school, but can't understand why some girls are mean... <br /> <br />The public school has not been eager to provide any services. It has been a 6 year struggle. I have supplemented with private <br />sp ed tutoring with good success. This past January I have moved my daughter to a small private Christian school that has a 'learning center' where she will get 1:1 math instruction along with 1:3 for language arts. <br />They are following a fifth grade math book more slowly and doing some flash cards for math fluency. They are going to start Math-U-See next year. And the learning center teacher utilizes her own curriculum for the comprehension and writing piece. <br /><br />Now that the year is over and I reflect on the private school experience - I realize that although the school is small (only 1 class per grade) and the teachers are nurturing in that they allow the extra time and the slower pace and the small group and one on one, and the environment is more sheltered - my dilemna is that would that setting backfire in the long run when she goes off to High School in a couple of years. My older son who is in high school and in on the other end of learning- high achieving, no stuggles...he along with my husband believe she would learn more about the real world in the public school, meaning she can more fully develop her social skills with a larger body of students and she will have access to the general classroom setting which will be more typical in High school and college.<br /><br />Any thoughts or input from anyone who walked this walk would be appreciated!Tadaaanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-64083454579219757842009-05-24T08:53:14.456-04:002009-05-24T08:53:14.456-04:00Hi Monica,
I have a couple of thoughts on your po...Hi Monica,<br /><br />I have a couple of thoughts on your posts. First of all, I have also often wondered if I don't have NVLD myself--for many of the same reasons you describe. It may be useful to bring information to the MD/neuropsych. It's an interesting thought.<br /><br />My second thought is while I know you are listing problems to make a case about possible diagnosis, don't be too hard on yourself.<br /><br />Sports excellence is the exception, not the rule--that's what makes folks work for it. You have only been rowing for a season--and even seasoned athletes blow it big pretty frequently (that's where all the 'agony of defeat' videos come from.)<br /><br />Many folks who were really unathletic younger find that in their mid-to-late twenties many things settle out. (Brain based studies support this, by the way.)<br /><br />Social awkwardness, over-sharing and under-sharing also improve with age and living. And EVERYONE hates and fears interviews!!! And boy do I know how you feel about graphs and tables!<br /><br />It sounds like you employ some good strategies already, and learning more might be helpful. I hope you will believe in your strengths and use them to meet your needs! I wish you luck.Terrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14802459265546733391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-46229716487260448242009-05-24T05:31:17.655-04:002009-05-24T05:31:17.655-04:00Visual-Spacial:
I just finished being on the com...Visual-Spacial:<br /><br /><br />I just finished being on the competitive rowing team at The Evergreen State College in Wa state as a 2nd year rower and first year coxswain. As a rower I had difficulty with timing (rowing together with other people) among other things, though all rowers had problems, so that didn't really bother me too much, because I came to practice on time and did the best that I could. The problems in this area come with coxing, which I am still doing as well as rowing as learning to drive the motor boat. My problem in this area is that I can't discern distances without obvious markers and I have difficulty doing multiple things at once: counting, watching for obstacles, motivating my team, and responding to novel situations like a change in wind and/or current or a new venue. I had a horrible experience at an important race. We had wind and I couldn't figure out how to keep us centered in our lane, which was not meant to be our lane to begin with---I misperceived which was our lane. Then i didn't give lane markers cause I was busy motivating. On the other hand I won another race, but it was a very small one. I'm still learning. I know it's an activity which requires a lot of visual-spacial skills and multitasking.<br /><br />Social:<br /><br />Ostracized, verbally bullied, way to gullible, and gave out too much information to people that I never knew. Once I told my life story the entire time at a Mariners baseball game to a person I just met. I have difficulty getting to the point, because I can't distinguish what's important in getting my message across and what isn't. I fail interviews and am scared of them. I still have trouble understanding unwritten social rules. I can see facial expressions and irritation and the desire to leave a conversation, but I don't know how to have a conversation. <br /><br />Educational:<br /><br />Great standardized test scores (top 80%), very verbose. Trouble in math. Trouble with reading comprehension. I was fine in elementary school and anything that was textbook rote learning or any rote learning for that matter--any deviations from this and I get lost. I tried doing pre-calculus last winter and did horrible even though I went to the math center every day, sometimes for 4 hours before class the two days of a week before. Then on the tests there would be a slight change and I didn't know what to do. I get anxiety when I see any sort of graphs or tables or anything. I am currently finishing my last quarter at the Evergreen State College and although one instructor told me that I can't seem to grasp main concepts of reading materials and my papers are full of too much detail, I am now doing an independent contract that allows me to show my learning by meeting with him and verbalizing my thoughts, doing some writing (well I will), and I have joined Toastmasters to improve my social and speaking skills.<br /><br /><br />Thanks for reading all that. I am diagnosed with PDD-NOS, Bipolar Disorder, and Borderline Personality Disorder. I saw this diagnosis and I feel that maybe I should say something at my next apt. but I don't want to come off as a hypochondriac. Should I bring this post I wrote and some info about NLD with me to the meeting? Thanks again.Monicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17942093192880912948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-51809325869475930932009-05-24T05:30:56.825-04:002009-05-24T05:30:56.825-04:00Thanks for all the information everyone! It's grea...Thanks for all the information everyone! It's great to find stuff on NLD that comes from people that actually have the condition. I recently found out about it and I am positive it fits me. I'm going to be a bit long-winded, but I'm doing for a purpose. Please tell me in your opinion as someone with or as a parent with a child with NLD if what I say fits the general mold. <br /><br />Motor:<br /><br />I walked at about 9 months, but was always clumsy. I could never learn to play sports. In fact I was scared of the ball in softball because I couldn't perceive where it was in relation to the sky and my glove (I still can't) I was always getting reprimanded for bumping into people. I learned to ride a bike at age 7. As for today <br />I still can't copy notes from a board very well or when someone is talking. My hand dexterity is so bad that I can't put make up on correctly. At my weekly writing center appointments I have my tutor be my scribe. As for gross motor skills today just put it this way---I fall down stairs and up stairs. I live on the second floor of a townhouse with steep carpeted stairs and it's hard to determine where I am in relation to where I need to be.Monicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17942093192880912948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192245.post-79118621976700251342009-05-19T13:38:00.000-04:002009-05-19T13:38:00.000-04:00OMG When I read this and at the end it asks about ...OMG When I read this and at the end it asks about migraines I nearly fell out of my seat. My son who is in "special ed" clasess just had his IEP and they brought fourth to me that he through undiagnoised Psych (from a major university) testing looks to have NVLD. The more I read the more I am finding a break through not only for my son but for myself.sandynoreply@blogger.com