<p>FlyingChance - my son also has a very wide verbal vs. performance IQ. The high verbal and low performance was diagnosed as NLD or NVLD in third grade. My son, like your daughter, worked incredible hours just to maintain, and even longer hours to succeed. By the time he got to high school, he just wore out about the spring of freshman year even with the 504 accomodations. He was also balancing many ECs. I learned the hard way that I had to let him chill some. He still took a full class load and kept his ECs sophomore year but he dropped most the advanced classes. His grades slipped a bit as well but have gone back up junior year because he loves being overseas for a junior year abroad. He plans on applying to schools that have his interests whether or not they are reaches. He has really re-dedicated himself to learning and succeeding BUT he balances his days out by playing sports, or hanging out with friends. I no longer push for straight A’s but he pushes himself to get solid B+s now. We are undecided if we will push for accomodations in college but we do have the option. In NYS it was harder to get my son a 504 because he does very well academically but I pushed for it and I am happy that he has the extra time because he needs it. I am also glad that he will have the extra time for his college entrance exams and, if he decides, have those accomodations in college. NLD/NLVD, ADHD, Dyslexic, Autistic children can be incredibly bright, focused, and hard-working but it is important that they have supports in place, one way or the other. Your daughter sounds delightful and incredibly intelligent and dedicated but giving her a few more options, like a 504, is never a bad thing. Also, you might want to encourage her to spend only a certain amount of time on each subject area and let the dice fall as they may. Good luck with the college applications. </p>
<p>@Flight4Hunter – my son has very much the same issues as your’s. I’ve discovered over the years that his verbal IQ, motivation, work ethic, and drive to succeed are what make up his “IQ.” NVLD/NLD kids have to re-route their synapses and it takes a little longer so they tend to do poorly on timed IQ tests. Additionally, NLD kids struggle with visual imput. My son is very much an oral and hands-on learner but he has discovered this himself. I don’t think you have to limit, just maybe expand, his college choices. </p>
<p>My biggest fight over the years as a parent of a kid with NLD (and some ADHD traits) has been convincing his teachers that he is a bright child. He just needs a little more time than a child with no LDs. But I would never have been able to do this if my son had not always been determined to succeed at sports, earning money, getting good (not great) grades. He might not get into every college he applies to (he has fairly crappy Regents & PSAT scores) but he is determined, willing and able to compete and that makes all the difference.</p>