Living With an Invisible Learning Challenge

Living With an Invisible Learning Challenge

Have you ever wondered what it is like to live with an invisible learning disability? Well then step into my and other’s world of Living with Nonverbal Learning Disability (NLD). I want to provide a podcast for people with NLD or someone who knows someone who has it and wants to help improve their life. Awareness about NLD should be raised because the public needs to be more knowledgeable about it. This can be hard to do because it is one of the learning disabilities that someone can have without it being obvious.

Episodes

April 25, 2025 30 mins

This episode explores how the language we use—like “the migraine” vs. “my migraine” or “autistic” vs. “person with autism”—shapes identity, perception, and even the experience of chronic pain. Drawing from personal reflections, research, and tools like the Curable app, we dive into the impact of word choice on neurodivergence, stigma, and healing. Ultimately, we examine how thoughtful language can create distance from suffering, fo...

Mark as Played

Today is the third and final part to last week's interview with Tara and me. Tara Bonner, Chief Neuroeducation Officer at Arrowsmith, discusses her nearly 20 years of experience at the intersection of neuroscience and education. As an educator, leader, consultant, and speaker, she collaborates globally to dispel misconceptions about learning and emphasizes the transformative potential of neuroplasticity in education. Tara highlight...

Mark as Played
April 11, 2025 32 mins

Today is the second part to last week's interview with Tara and me. Tara Bonner, Chief Neuroeducation Officer at Arrowsmith, discusses her nearly 20 years of experience at the intersection of neuroscience and education. As an educator, leader, consultant, and speaker, she collaborates globally to dispel misconceptions about learning and emphasizes the transformative potential of neuroplasticity in education. Tara highlights the...

Mark as Played
April 4, 2025 33 mins

​This is the first part of a three-part interview, Tara Bonner, Chief Neuroeducation Officer at Arrowsmith, discusses her nearly 20 years of experience at the intersection of neuroscience and education. As an educator, leader, consultant, and speaker, she collaborates globally to dispel misconceptions about learning and emphasizes the transformative potential of neuroplasticity in education. Tara highlights the importance of neuroe...

Mark as Played

In a recent episode, I discussed an email from James Lange about policy changes under President Trump's second term that may affect individuals with disabilities. Lange criticized President Trump's remarks linking diversity hiring to a tragic aviation accident and offered resources for financial planning to help families navigate these uncertainties.

Link for Pateron:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ patreon.com/Livi...

Mark as Played

Neurodivergent individuals experience relationship endings with heightened intensity due to factors like deep emotional investment, trauma sensitivity, and communication differences. Articles by Kristy Forbes, Natalie Roberts, and Laurie Budlong Morse explore these challenges, highlighting the impact of rejection, the struggle for self-identity within neurodiverse relationships, and the importance of fostering connection through un...

Mark as Played
March 8, 2025 24 mins

This is the second part to the interview with Reuben. It is about his teaching for math at a high school in Indianapolis, Indiana. I asked him questions about how his teaching dynamics changed before, during and after the pandemic. Reuben Benzel has been teaching high school mathematics for the past 12 years. He has a BA in Economics from Oberlin College and a MAT from Marian University. Outside of the math classroom, Mr. Benzel sp...

Mark as Played
February 28, 2025 24 mins

Writing is often difficult for individuals with Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD) due to struggles with organization, abstract thinking, and structure. This episode explores personal stories, expert insights, and strategies to help navigate these challenges and find success in writing.

Links for articles

Mark as Played
February 22, 2025 21 mins

Neurodiverse individuals have made groundbreaking contributions by overcoming challenges to drive innovation. From Henry Ford’s advancements in mass production to Temple Grandin’s humane animal handling systems, their unique perspectives have shaped various fields. Visionaries like Alan Turing, Bill Gates, and Richard Branson demonstrate how embracing neurodiversity fosters creativity and societal progress.

Links for articles: 

Mark as Played
February 14, 2025 32 mins

This is an interview with Reuben about his teaching for math at a high school in Indianapolis, Indiana. I asked him questions about how his teaching dynamics changed before, during and after the pandemic. Reuben Benzel has been teaching high school mathematics for the past 12 years. He has a BA in Economics from Oberlin College and a MAT from Marian University. Outside of the math classroom, Mr. Benzel sponsors Innovate WithIn, a S...

Mark as Played
February 8, 2025 19 mins

This podcast explores the challenges and triumphs of learning science with Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD). Through personal experiences and expert insights, we discuss the difficulties NLD students face—such as interpreting visual data, spatial reasoning, and lab work—and the strategies that help them succeed. Featuring a former science tutor, we reflect on effective teaching methods, perseverance, and the importance of advocati...

Mark as Played

In this episode, we explore the history and impact of Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NVLD), a condition characterized by strong verbal skills but significant challenges with spatial reasoning, motor coordination, and social interpretation. From its identification in the mid-20th century by pioneers like Byron Rourke to personal stories of resilience, we delve into the evolving understanding of NVLD. We also highlight the ongoing stru...

Mark as Played
January 3, 2025 22 mins

For neurodivergent individuals, planning ahead can be challenging due to difficulties with time perception, executive functioning, and sensory processing, often requiring strategies like breaking down tasks into smaller chunks, using visual aids, setting reminders, and incorporating flexibility into their schedules to effectively manage their time and achieve goals.  

Links for articles: 

Mark as Played
December 20, 2024 25 mins

Today’s episode will be about burnout and being neurodiverse. I experience a lot of this because of having chronic migraines along with NLD. I also know that I’m not the only one who does. I have many friends who are neurodiverse and have chronic pain conditions too. I’ll use some articles to support this episode and my own experience with this too.


Link for article:

Mark as Played
December 6, 2024 35 mins

Today I am posting an interview with Khloe.

Khloe is a determined 15 year old sophomore at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School who has NVLD and is passionate about promoting self-advocacy and inclusion. Focusing her education on early childhood education, Khloe is dedicated to making a positive impact in the world. In her free time, Khloe is a varsity cheerleader and enjoys tumbling, napping, and spending...

Mark as Played

Neurodivergent students, including those with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other cognitive differences, often approach studying in unique ways that play to their strengths and accommodate challenges.

Link for article:

Mark as Played

Growing up, math was a constant challenge for me, and I often needed multiple tutors to help with homework—sometimes three in a single day. While overwhelming at times, their support eased my frustration and tears. It wasn’t until I was diagnosed with NLD at 19 in college that I finally understood why math had been so difficult.


Links for articles

Mark as Played
November 15, 2024 26 mins

Today is the final part of an interview with my friend, Ellen who is a special ed tutor and teacher in Indianapolis, Indiana. We discuss the challenges of teaching during the pandemic, what it was like before and after as well.

Link for Pateron:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ patreon.com/LivingWithAnInvisibleLearningChallenge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Mark as Played
November 1, 2024 18 mins
  • Many neurodivergents have a hard time being on their own and independent because of it being hard to be independent without help from your family. I work for my parents and have for four years. And have lived with them for 6 years so I get it. But I’m fortunate to have had help from my family to get my own first place!

    Links for articles:

  • Mark as Played

    Popular Podcasts

      I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

      Stuff You Should Know

      If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

      Dateline NBC

      Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

      The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

      The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

      The Joe Rogan Experience

      The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    Advertise With Us
    Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

    Connect

    © 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.