On Being an Adult With NVLD

Join us as we chat with NVLD blogger and ambassador Michaela Hearst about her journey with NVLD.
Michaela Hearst was diagnosed with NVLD when she was 14. She always say that no two diagnosis of NVLD are alike. She is studying to become a social worker because she wants to be able to help individuals with learning disabilities just like her!

[@jpretty2u]

I’m 34 and was diagnosed by a neurological center last year with NVLD. I always felt misunderstood growing up. And now I know why. I really struggled in math all throughout primary school and college. The neurologist said that I compensated for it very well though. Glad I know now and will continue to do more research!

[@francadifalco949]

Michaela thank you for explaining nonverbal learning disability better to us. I have a question what I don’t understand is that my sons profile shows he’s in the 93rd percentile in reading, verbal, spelling, and decoding. His comprehension is in the 66th percentile. Currently he’s in grade 7 and 13 years old so far he’s getting A’s and B’s and teachers seem to think he’s doing OK. At some point I could get him retested as they’ve suggested because he’s just on the cusp of having nonverbal learning disability although I’ve noticed things seem to be getting better I just don’t understand. He’s so smart in language I just don’t understand this. Joshua has issues with confidence and he doesn’t feel smart at all it just breaks my heart. If there’s a way we could speak to each other I’d really appreciate that I’m in Toronto Canada.

[@evab415]

Hi! Sorry, I'm not Michaela, but I recognized a lot of what you just said in your post, so I felt that sharing some of my own insights might be helpful. I don't think people with NVLD necessarily struggle on an academic level. They do have trouble with all the functions associated with the right hemisphere, which is mostly insight, the bigger picture, visual cues and spatial orientation. But if your left hemisphere is very well developed, there are ways to still get good grades even if you lack the insight that is required. Don't be fooled by good grades, because those don't always mean that your child isn't struggling. Trust me, I got through university level literature exams without grasping the underlying messages of texts, just by learning the teacher's interpretations by heart. We're really good at blending in. And that's made easier by people who assume we're good at comprehension because we're generally good at verbal language and spelling. However, they're not the same thing. I now wish that someone had noticed and intervened for me, because adult life might have been easier for me if I'd had the support I needed earlier on. I think further assessment is definitely a good idea. You'll be doing your son a huge favor, and the proper support might help boost his confidence as well. I wish you the best of luck!

[@Historian212]

@@evab415 Hi Eva. I got diagnosed in my late 50s; I feel your pain. I had to push for years to get the right diagnoses, was never tested as a child because most of my grades were either average or high. Except in math. Struggles with math and with quantitative reasoning in general are hallmarks of NVLD. But I was never tested for a math disability as a child, despite obvious deficits throughout my school years. And insurance companies don’t pay for adults to be tested for math disabilities, believe it or not. Because all the companies think about is school grades. It’s astounding. I was even left back a year to take an algebra prep class in 10th grade. And because I did well after that (never went past geometry, though, no trig for me), everybody just shrugged it off. Adult testing at first resulted in the diagnosis of “math anxiety.” I said: Right. Of course I have math anxiety because I CAN’T do math! 25 years later, I finally heard a result of testing that made sense. Having struggled through and finally gotten humiliated out of an executive job despite my requests for assistance with creating budgets - which I told them about before they promoted me up the ladder! - I agree that parents need to push to get all the testing and support a child needs.

[@juanrodriguez1003]

i have NVLD and i am planning to take guitar lessons anything I should know about this?

[@novastariha8043]

I tried to learn piano years of struggle but I hope guitar 🎸 is good to you!!

[@joeorlando9140]

I would like to meet someone with this condition

[@juanrodriguez1003]

hey can you talk about nvld and marriage what are the challenges and what not?

[@reginatucker2947]

I'm pretty sure I have nvld thak you for this. My social skills are terrible oh it's so painful but I'm on the right path now! Knowing is half the battle.

[@couldbe8348]

❤

[@edmukai]

I have NVLD and ugh it’s tough

[@joeorlando9140]

Pretty girl, I also have some of these symptoms

[@juanrodriguez1003]

can i go to college and be successfull?

[@TheNVLDProjectOfficial]

Yes! Check out Sherri Maxman, she is an educational consultant for individuals with learning disabilities: college-maven.com/

[@rhondabankovics3310]

Yes you can go to college and become successful. Know your strengths and weaknesses and choose a career that you can be comfortable with and enjoy. I am retired and I was diagnosed at age 58 years old. I am now 71 years old. I have 3 degrees

[@Historian212]

Yes. Make sure the school of your choice has a good office of Disability Services (it may be named somewhat differently). Be sure to have a medical documentation of your disability- especially in that NVLD is not in the DSM, there are other diagnosis codes they should know how to use - and work with them to know clearly what accommodations would help you, such as: extra time for exams, a quiet space to take tests, special seating, audio recordings of lectures, etc. It might take you a little longer to finish. It’s okay. Just try not to get into massive debt, and be sure you know that you have the right to insist on assistance. I have a BA and an MA, you can do it.

[@Historian212]

@@TheNVLDProjectOfficial What about recommendations for people who can’t afford to pay for a private consultant?

[@markhirstwood4190]

Thanks for this.

[@shelleybidell418]

Thank you, this is so helpful!

[@kasayyib]

Great interview!

[@resourceress7]

Can you please put those links you mentioned in the description box for this video?

[@TheNVLDProjectOfficial]

Hi! What time stamp are you interested in?

[@resourceress7]

@@TheNVLDProjectOfficial It would be nice if every URL mentioned were put in the description box. And typed onscreen, actually. It's so hard to find information about NVLD that it would really help.

[@TheNVLDProjectOfficial]

@@resourceress7 We'll start working on that! For now, here is our website (you can find Michaela's profile and blogs here): nvld.org/