<p>Hello, I am a college student who was diagnosed with ADHD innatentive type when I was in elementary school. I struggled in school a lot when I was younger but recieved a lot of extra help and that coupled with a lot of determination and hard work has allowed me to be successful in school starting around my sophomore year of high school. While I definitely agree with the ADHD diagnosis, I still have a lot of difficulties that are not related to ADHD. I have always felt like I have something else but could never put my finger on it. I was retested last year to see if I have something else but they said i did not. I saw that their was a 31 point difference between my verbal and performance iq and this seemed odd so i did some research and found out about nonverbal learning disabilities. I am now in upper level major courses in my college and am no longer above average on many assignments in class now that they are not just simple papers and multiple choice tests(i have an excelent memory). I am spending 40 or more hours a week at the library and really don't have time for anything but class, studying and about 5 or 6 hours of sleep a night. here is a list of things difficulties i have(i excluded the ADHD ones because that would take forever). If anyone knows anything about Nonverbal learning disabilities i would really appreciate any advice you have.
-31 point difference between verbal and performance IQ (performance 89, verbal 120)
-one main problem is i take things too literally. i am told this frequently. in upper level college courses that require more higher level thinking this is becoming a big problem. i frequently am confused on what the essay prompt or question is asking and take the directions very literally
-i also tend to take jokes and things people say very literally and miss sarcasm
-i have definite social interaction problems
-group conversations are a problem for me. i can never figure out when to jump in. i tend to talk over people and when i do speak people often cut me off. i can never figure out how to jump into conversations and after a few tries i give up and zone out.
-i just cannot talk around people i don't know or in big group settings where i don't know many people. i have to be comfortable around people to be myself
-I am bad a small talk
-i never know if you should say hi to someone or not and don't want to be rejected so i avoid running into people that i am not sure if they will say hi or not
-i have never had a lot of friends and have difficulty keeping friends for a long time although recently i have made a good group of friends and for the first time i have a "normal" sized circle of great friends who i hope to keep
-i often talk about things i am interested in a lot and don't know when to stop. when i call home my mom says i never let her speak and it is like a monologue. i have very specific interest areas and this is how i have gotten such a good group of friends because i met them in a club and we all are very passionate about the same thing
-i avoid phone calls
-i hate hugs
-this is all i can think of regarding social issues at the moment but i believe there is more
-i tend to have a very good memory
-i can picture events vagly but remember what is said a lot better and have a very good memory for events and such
-i do great on multiple choice tests cause i can remember things very well
-math takes me a very long time and although i can memorize the steps and enjoy math where you follow a specific pattern i can't apply or understand the concept well
-i have a lot of trouble with transitions
-i don't like change and definitely have a routine i like to follow
-i like to have things planned as opposed to doing things sponaniously
-my hand writing is very bad
-i have trouble understand what is written often and have to re read problems and sentences several times
-i am very detail oriented </p>
<p>I just have no idea how to go about being tested for this and I don't know if it is even worth it to be tested. Why didn't the people bring this up or notice the huge gap between my verbal and performance iq last time i was tested?</p>
<p>“Why didn’t the people bring this up or notice the huge gap between my verbal and performance iq last time i was tested?”</p>
<p>There are any number of reasons why they might have missed the gap. Don’t worry about that. It is in the past. You need to worry about now and the future instead.</p>
<p>Tomorrow, walk into the disabilities services office at your college/university and tell the counselor that you want to be screened for Nonverbal Learning Disabilty. Bring the list of symptoms that you have posted here, and bring a copy of any information that you have found about NVLD while you were doing your own research. Be a pest. If they have no one on staff who can screen you, make them put you in contact with someone who can.</p>
<p>Once you have a formal diagnosis of NVLD, it will be easier for you to gain access to the therapies that will help you develop better life skills.</p>
<p>One of my sons was recently diagnosed with NVLD as well as some other issues, and your description has much overlap with his symptoms, so you should look into it further. Be aware that symptoms can sometimes overlap with other issues, so a professional will be able to fully examine your particular symptoms and give you more specific tests to give you the best diagnosis. </p>
<p>The doctor he met with was quite expensive (a couple of thousand dollars) for a full neuro-psych test, so you might want to discuss with the diabilities office at your school to see if they have some reasonably priced testing programs for students.</p>
<p>Yes yes yes!! Happymomof1 gave you great advice. Tomorrow, walk into your colleges Disability Services office and request testing for NVLD. My son is 17, was diagnosed in 3rd grade. You share many similar characteristics. He attends a high school dedicated to students with non-verbal learning differences. He is preparing for college in a year or so. You are not alone!! Since you made it to college, you already have conquered a big step, with courage, its seems. Now…Get good, professional testing and get the support you need in school. You can do it! Good luck!</p>
<p>Juggler 1990 – A slightly different perspective to add – I recommend pursuing an independent evaluation vs. asking the college to do it (which they typically do not do anyway). You want to select a clinician (typically a certified school psychologist as this is what colleges expect from an evaluator) who has experience with and knowledge of NVLD plus you want an opportunity to review the evaluation report (along with your parents) to decide if you agree with it before handing it over to the college (or anyone else).</p>
<p>Also, non-verbal learning disability or Asperger’s Syndrome fits your description. What’s most important, however, is focusing on developing strategies to support areas of need. A diagnosis is important to know what you’re dealing with yet it’s the strategies that matter most. With an autism spectrum disorder (and NVLD and Asperger’s are both on the spectrum), the needs are complex and often change based upon the setting, people, and demands.</p>
<p>The predictability of class in high school or college is often something that works well. And as you stated, the “simple assignments” are often little problem because they utilize skills that you have. What causes problems are complex assignments, executive functioning (i.e. planning, organizing), social demands, note-taking, study skills, and other areas that are important for college success. An accurate diagnosis with information that clearly explains the types of accommodations needed (in college) plus how to begin to strengthen areas of need will be a huge step forward for you.</p>
<p>If you need anything further, please feel free to contact me. Know you are not alone…there are many students struggling with similar issues. A positive attitude and willingness to utilize supports and strategies will make a huge difference.</p>
<p>Juggler1990, I hope that you are doing okay.If you did get an evaluation and are willing to share anything about it, I would be interested in hearing.</p>
<p>I posted on another forum about my NLD grandson. Does anyone know the differences between Landmark College and Franklin Academy post grad programs. He is in 10th grade at a boarding school in Wisconsin which gives him the order that he needs. His executive skills are horrendous.</p>
<p>nanakw: sorry, no direct answer to your question. New York Times did a lengthy article very recently (1/9/11?) on Landmark College. Worth reading. Note the relatively low graduation rate for program participants.</p>
<p>Also check out services provided by colleges participating in federal TRIO program, which includes Ripon and Beloit. These services include learning disabled students. (Note that a full psychological testing profile is required to qualify for LD-related services.) If your grandson fully participates in a mainstream boarding school education, albeit with support services, then perhaps a college w/TRIO program would be a good alternate</p>
<p>Juggler1990,
I beleive you fit many of the criteria for a non verbal learning disability. You may have ADHD, but in fact some of the criteria for NVLD are very similar to issues with ADHD. The discrepancy between your verbal and performance IQ is key, in addition to all the other things you listed. A good book in this subject is the Source for Non Verbal Learning Disorders by Sue Thompson. You have options of going to your disability office for testing, or asking them for a resource or finding someone yourself and then having it done privately. One of the best people to do the testing is a neuropsychologist.
Good luck and keep us posted.</p>
<p>nanakw - I went to Franklin Academy in high school for a year. Don’t send your grandson there; they unfortunately really have no clue what they’re doing. I promise you your grandson will get no help in executive functioning. I certainly didn’t and no one else there did either. I don’t mean to sound bitter, but the truth of the matter is Franklin bills itself as a school for NLDers without actually doing anything special to help them. No social skills groups, no study skills help, nothing. Franklin means well, but in the end, it’s just a big daycare with a $60k price tag. There are better places out there for your grandson.</p>
<p>NVLD and Asperger’s can co-exist but don’t have to. My oldest son is slightly Aspie. I reviewed his test scores thoroughly and asked for some NVLD specific tests at his 6th grade eval and he doesn’t have it. He doesn’t have the discrepant PIQ and VIQ that are the hallmark of NVLD. He has some issues with his organizational skills but his executive functioning came out in the 98th percentile.</p>
<p>you in all probability have Aspergers and maybe a bit of NVLD, but Aspergers Syndrome explains almost all of these difficulties:</p>
<p>-one main problem is i take things too literally. i am told this frequently. in upper level college courses that require more higher level thinking this is becoming a big problem. i frequently am confused on what the essay prompt or question is asking and take the directions very literally
-i also tend to take jokes and things people say very literally and miss sarcasm
-i have definite social interaction problems
-group conversations are a problem for me. i can never figure out when to jump in. i tend to talk over people and when i do speak people often cut me off. i can never figure out how to jump into conversations and after a few tries i give up and zone out.
-i just cannot talk around people i don’t know or in big group settings where i don’t know many people. i have to be comfortable around people to be myself
-I am bad a small talk
-i never know if you should say hi to someone or not and don’t want to be rejected so i avoid running into people that i am not sure if they will say hi or not
-i have never had a lot of friends and have difficulty keeping friends for a long time although recently i have made a good group of friends and for the first time i have a “normal” sized circle of great friends who i hope to keep
-i often talk about things i am interested in a lot and don’t know when to stop. when i call home my mom says i never let her speak and it is like a monologue. i have very specific interest areas and this is how i have gotten such a good group of friends because i met them in a club and we all are very passionate about the same thing
-i avoid phone calls
-i hate hugs
-this is all i can think of regarding social issues at the moment but i believe there is more
-i tend to have a very good memory
-i can picture events vagly but remember what is said a lot better and have a very good memory for events and such
-i do great on multiple choice tests cause i can remember things very well
-math takes me a very long time and although i can memorize the steps and enjoy math where you follow a specific pattern i can’t apply or understand the concept well
-i have a lot of trouble with transitions
-i don’t like change and definitely have a routine i like to follow
-i like to have things planned as opposed to doing things sponaniously
-my hand writing is very bad
-i have trouble understand what is written often and have to re read problems and sentences several times
-i am very detail oriented</p>