Odd Girl In

How do I fit in?
by Pia Savage

Two Years After the Diagnosis I Reclaimed My Life

When I was a child my father made me socialize. Though I complained, often bitterly, it was the best thing to happen to me as I naturally learned to be social. Many years later I was diagnosed with NLD and became every symptom for two years. Then I found my way back and to a better life. Read More

A Voice Worth Using

An adoptee with NLD literally loses her voice when she has to give a speech in Eighth Grade. Later she will find accidentally find a strong voice advocating for people. Read More

NLD, You Don't Own Me

I spent most of my life not knowing that my problems were neurologically based. Late diagnosis brought its own set of problems that I was able to work through because I finally knew what was wrong. Read More

NLD Recognition: Part One

NLD is the least recognized disorder. It's not even in the current DSM or the one that is coming up. Yet it's a very real disorder that has played havoc with my life. I am fortunate to have a strong voice I'm not afraid to use. I will use it to help ensure NLD recognition in 2012! Read More

Sorry...Oh So Sorry

Apologies can be great. But what happens when a person says "I'm sorry" for an event she didn't cause? In blogging and on Facebook this can cause massive problems Read More

Relatively Speaking

I found my birth family. Now what? Read More

I Might Have Been Weird but That Didn't Stop My Ex-Boyfriend from Stalking Me

I did well in a paralegal program yet I was the only person in my class who couldn't find a job. I worked as a temp paralegal for a year at one of New York's most prestigious law firms. They wouldn't hire me to be a full time employee because something was off about me. That something was nonverbal learning disorder (NLD). Read More

Yes I do take it personally

NLD is a little known, often misunderstood umbrella group of disorders. Not every person with NLD has every facet of the disorders. Yet people tend to talk in generalities, as if each person with NLD suffers from the exact same problems in exactly the same way. I almost feel compelled to change my life story so it fits what people think of as NLD more. But I won't. Read More

Life, Death, NLD and Me

There are some situations even modern etiquette and/or self-help books don't prepare us for. Connecting and maintaining a relationship with members of my birth family is one of them. Could I have a relationship with my birth cousins when it was obvious my birth mother didn't want one? Could I trust my judgment as I have NLD? Read More

For Father's Day: My Dad's Story About Adopting Me

My father wrote this story soon after they took me home from the foster home. He gave me many great gifts in life. This was the most wonderful. My sister and I found it after both my parents died. But I'll always carry my parents in my heart and my computer! Read More

My Father, Myself

My father and I didn't have the perfect TV relationship but we found our way to an incredible friendship. Read More

NLD and friendship

Making and keeping friends when you have NLD is both an art and a science. It's exhausting but worth it. Read More

Boulevard of Broken Dreams Refound: At the Intersection of NLD and Research

Have studies shown that people with NLD are predisposed to suicide and depression? A seminal study and supporting papers says yes. Then where are the statistics to back this supposition? Read More

Adapting to an Adoptee's Mother's Day

An adoptee who has NLD meets her birth mother. She tries to find common ground with her birth mother but nothing she says can please the birth mother. Read More

Not Quite a Hoarder Part Two: Clear Pathways

I realize that I have spatial and organizational problems. Can I possibly teach myself to overcome them? Read More

Not Quite a Hoarder Part One: Organization Abyss

I would have done anything to have been able to organize myself and clean but nonverbal learning disorder cheated me of those abilities. Read More

A Matter Of Degrees

My NLD is different than your NLD. It has to be as no two brains are exactly alike. NLD is a disorder where white matter is generally missing from the right hemisphere. That's as technical as I get! Read More

You're Such a Disappointment: Life Before a Non Verbal Learning Disorder Diagnosis

Neuro-psychological testing should always be supportive of the client. Simply telling a woman she can't do anything correctly is (beyond obviously) wrong, and does lead to bad ramifications. Read More

The Hippie Era Was Made for Me: Funky Freaky Girls Wanted

I didn't know that I wasn't supposed to be social or have good social skills. True, I hated it when my parents made me sit in the children's dining room in hotels and I had problems interacting with kids I didn't know. But then came college and my 20's and the world was mine for the taking. Read More

No Mistakes Allowed

When you have undiagnosed non verbal learning disorder you lack perspective to understand differenation in mistakes.  Every mistake feels like the one that will cause you to fail Read More

But I Want To Be Perfect: Why Can't I Do Things Correctly?

A seven year old has her first panic attack on notebook inspection day as she knows her teacher will hate her notebook because of undiagnosed Non Verbal Learning Disorder. Read More

The Disorder That Gets No Respect

Non Verbal Learning Disorder is a disabilty often misdiagnosed, underdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all. Those who have it face a variety of coordination, organizational, spatial, learning and emotional problems. Read More

Pia Savage is a writer, journalist, and former social worker diagnosed with Non Verbal Learning Disorder.

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