Thriving With NVLD: Living With Nonverbal Learning Disorder (A Personal Story)

When Abby Bell was 18, she was finally identified as having NVLD. Watch her journey toward self-discovery and how she thrives with NVLD.

In this video, Abby shares her personal journey with a nonverbal learning disability (NVLD, or nonverbal learning disorder) and ADHD. As a child, Abby said she was uncomfortable in certain social situations. She also has challenges with spatial awareness and nonverbal communication. Abby was initially diagnosed with ADHD and Asperger’s but was later re-evaluated at the age of 18. Learn what getting the proper diagnosis meant to her and how she thrives with learning and thinking differences.

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[abbybell]

Hi everyone, I just wanted to thank all of you for watching, commenting, encouraging and sharing your stories! I feel so honoured to have had the oppourtunity to share my story!!

[private]

I cry watching this video. I'm 44 and am just beginning to understand I've had learning disabilities that were never diagnosed until a few months ago. It has had a major effect on my personal and professional experiences my entire life. Abby I'm so proud of your honesty, strength, and self-awareness. I know from experience you must have self-awareness of how you learn, especially in the workplace, where employers and co-workers can be quite cruel to people who do not learn and think the way they do.

[jaspercasella]

I have NVLD to, but for me texting feels like a welcome relief from having to read body language, filling in awkward spaces in conversations
I also find starting conversations vary tricky so for me it’s nice to start with a text. Although I have had the “are they mad or not” problem with texting

[meredithm]

I have NVLD/ADHD too! I love this video. It is a real diagnosis and a real struggle, I hate that it isnt recognized in the DSM. Im now in school to work with people with disabilities!

[robertpinto]

I have NVLD too. I was diagnosed when I was 17. Looking back on many moments in my life I found many times to be very frustrating including school and social situations. Having poor depth perception was a huge problem for me, it made me clumsy and I would have a difficult time walking I would bump into people at times or walk to closely catching someone's shoe in front of me. It was embarrassing to say the least. Also with being able to read body language I have found it tough though ad I have gotten older I have invested time in learning about emotional intelligence and I have scored high on my level of emotional intelligence. I have also taken several IQ tests and I fell in the range of having an IQ between 140-150. So if you have NVLD like myself know that I and others are out there looking out for each other. I would be happy to share my experiences with anyone.

[rylieboll]

I have Nvld and ADD. My biggest issues are figuring out if someone is joking and math. It definitely has been a hurdle but I still was able to succeed. Now I’m a year ahead in math, but it took so much hard work. I can relate to her so much!

[joshuatelem]

Can you guys make more videos on NVLD?

[elinaq]

This is great, I also have this (NLD), but can only find videos for little children, it is great to see someone my age and is almost mirror image of me, it brought tears to my eyes, also the stuggle of growing up and the long search of finding out what was "wrong" with me.
Thank you very much for this video, I don't know you but it seems like you are a great person Abby, and I would love to meet you one day :)

I know this is your story, so I hope it is okay that I write mine down here, I hope it helps others;

When I was 6 years old, we began to learn how to read and write, I was slower than the other kids but extremely extrovert with a bundle of energy that I couldn't contain.
My teacher thought I had ADHD and/or was autistic.
She referred my parents to a center where they took IQ tests, turns out my visual IQ was below average and my verbal IQ far above average, even highly intelligent.
When they showed these tests to my parents, my teacher flat out refused to believe it, no there is no way I was highly intelligent, even though it was the center that she referred parents to. My parents were extremely frustrated but did so much to help me with extra counseling, remedial teaching, and adjustments in school. Primary was a constant struggle with tests, failing things and talk about resitting grades.
Primary school was frustrating, in any sense when finally I made the test at 12 and it was proved, that indeed I had NLD (or NLVD).
I thought then, that it was over, until when I was 15 I applied to college (A-levels, they are like pre-university programs in the Netherlands).
I had top grades and was pretty good in the interview, but they refused me because of NLD. (which legally, I found out after, was not in their right to do so, as I fulfilled the requirements).
I was frustrated, angry and felt unjustified, and it was a struggle for me to find the motivation to apply to other schools in fear of refusal again.
Later I did the same course in another college, they accepted me and I was overjoyed.
Graduated from that course with an A* and send a letter to the college that refused me, saying that they shouldn't judge people with a learning disability, as with a little extra help, they might bloom further than any oter student.

Now I am 20 years old, and while it was a relief to find out I see that not many of my friends understand it, I am now in college, and failing also partly there is no help given to me anymore at this age, when searching on the internet I can only find information and tips for little children, not (young) adults like ourselves, I think especially this has caused this video to make such an impact. and I hope in the future there is more that we can do.


Thank you very much for this video, and I whish you all the best abby!
(sorry for the long story XD )

xx Yleine Aerts
If understood ever want me to make a video about this to raise awareness and help other people with their "journey" I would be more than willing to help.

[congresscal]

I appreciate this so much it feels like there is finally someone I can relate to.

[nicegirl]

Thanks for this. I have NVLD and ADHD and Anxiety and Aspergers. This really helped me to hear someone struggles like me. I feel so alone a lot of the time.

[jg]

You make me feel better about myself as a university student with NVLD, ADHD, and ASD. Thank you so much.

[marijegroeneveld]

I have NLD too and i always thought that i was the only one. But after i saw the video and the comments i finally realised that i am not alone. ❤️

[tabithatierney]

This is my daughter! It’s been a very emotional and frustrating journey! I’m hoping we can get her the help she needs! I also question myself if I have the same thing! I’m 39 now and may get tested too.

[Irishlassie]

I also have nvld. The first person who tested me told my parents that I was just bored in class. I didn't get diagnosed till I was 9. I'm glad there are others besides me with it and I'm not alone. Also I got held back in kindergarten because I couldn't understand what was going on

[randy]

Thank you for helping to bring awareness to nld. I was diagnosed when I was little and I have trouble putting my experience into words. This video made me cry. Hang in there

[WickedSapphira]

I am 31 and I was diagnosed with NLVD at 19. This is so validating! She reminds me of myself. It's nice to know that there are others like me. It makes me feel less alone. It's extremely frustrating because if I tell someone that I have NLVD, they have no idea what I'm talking about. I generally just tell people that I have ADHD. While it feels disingenuous, it's more easily digestible for people, and I don't have to explain anything. Also, I feel like NLVD is a very confusing name, since it makes it seem like we are nonverbal, whereas we are generally extremely verbal and struggle with nonverbal communication.

[mathewdaniels]

Great video!! I love it. I too am ADHD and NVLD. I too have found that talking and writing are among my strengths. I am contemplating either teaching or becoming a journalist! You are awesome. Thanks for inspiring me.

[sirenia]

When you have all three. Autism, ADHD and NVLD

[seanmurray]

Hello, I would like to say that it is nice to read the commentary of those who share the same disability as me. Our disability is an issue that is not well known, and there is no one in the limelight who can represent us and bring those of us together to share information. Hopefully more videos like this one are made in the future.

[kbgjp]

The biggest problem with me is controlling my mouth. I’m actually very good at texting, but sometimes on dates I talk to much and or I can’t hold a interview like date.