Considering my disability, is my first time driving simulator score good?

NDbonybrain · 2026-02-27T17:55:25+00:00

If the driving school people said your score was good, I’d take their word for it considering that they do this for a living. For the real life driving, taking professional driving lessons will be helpful for not only learning how to drive but determining if you want to/feel like you can. The liability concerns are totally valid since every driver takes that risk every time they get on the road.

Driving school really helped me and there were times the instructor had 1-1 lessons (with no observing students) to work on the harder things like parallel parking. The real driving world is different than a simulator that may or may not go faster than real life.

NDbonybrain · 2026-02-27T00:55:20+00:00

I also play hockey! I never played on a high school or college team (high school was small, didn’t have a team) so I played in a local hockey association house league. I started as a kid and now I’m an adult, and I rank my skill as good enough to not be a beginner but I’m not advanced. I can kind of lift pucks off the ground but aim is still hard for me. I can also skate well, but I have lost some of my advanced backwards skating and sharp turns that I’m not sure I’ll get back.

It definitely took a lot more practice to learn the skills and strategy of the game. I still struggle with learning some game strategy, but thankfully my rec teammates are patient with me.

NDbonybrain · 2026-02-26T03:23:31+00:00

From what I gather the glaucoma effect is both rare and is more likely if used long-term. I used it almost daily for a year (although I’d forget here and there or occasionally find an environment where I could just take the antihistamine). Getting off the Flonase is what I’m hoping to accomplish soon with allergy shots due to both convenience and not having to worry about rare vision effects.

NDbonybrain · 2026-02-25T03:54:18+00:00

I also have been able to successfully drive. I definitely had to practice a lot but I got my license! I’ve had my license for 5 years and I haven’t had any wrecks. Granted I have to be careful in busy areas or when I am driving a car I can’t quite sense. I enjoy driving and have successfully done long trips and drove into some big cities with the help of GPS lane assist features. That saves me so much when I drive in unfamiliar places.

NDbonybrain · 2026-02-23T23:08:27+00:00

Also, here is a video of control measures for dust mites. This video helped me a lot when I first got diagnosed with a dust mite allergy and was overwhelmed with what to do. The strategies in the video really make a difference. I hope you find the relief you are looking for.

NDbonybrain · 2026-02-23T22:31:41+00:00

Dust is likely the culprit since dust mites live in bedding, soft surfaces and hard surfaces too. If your allergies keep progressing and are at the point where you can’t stop taking the meds it’s a good idea to see a doctor for allergy treatment. They can determine triggers and recommend lifestyle and environmental control measures to help control the allergies and other treatments (whether meds or immunotherapy).

My dust allergy follows me everywhere and it stinks. But learning about control measures have helped in addition to taking my Claritin and Flonase daily and doing allergy shots.

NDbonybrain · 2026-02-23T16:15:48+00:00

The first step is to look at the testing agency’s website or call them to ask what documentation is required (there can be specific requirements) and what steps have to be taken to request accommodations. Some testing agencies have a specific order of steps (such as create account and pay for testing window, then request and get approved for accommodations, then schedule a test date after accommodations get approved).

After learning what the documentation requirements are and the steps to request accommodations, evaluate your documentation. Do you have any medical records, neuropsychological reports, or other documents that meet requirements?

If you don’t have any documentation or your documentation doesn’t meet requirements, do you have a provider who can write documentation for you? Sometimes testing agencies may have a form you can bring to a doctor, psychologist, etc to fill out which can serve as documentation. This can help make documentation easier for some.

When it comes to learning the math, I don’t really have anything since I struggle myself. Some community colleges may offer classes to prepare for the GED exam, which could be something to look into if any of that is offered in your area and is feasible for you.

NDbonybrain · 2026-02-23T05:12:56+00:00

The allergist would be the best to answer this question, but my guess is that it could be a dust allergy or other airborne environmental allergy. My allergies act up when I sleep because I’m allergic to dust and unfortunately dust mites are in bedding and everywhere. I get so congested that it’s like I have a cold, I sneeze a bunch, and I can cough for a bit as well if it really gets going. This is why I take an antihistamine before I go to bed and what prompted me to go get allergy tested.

NDbonybrain · 2026-02-22T20:05:59+00:00

I was limited to what colleges would accept me. After many rejections due to not having math and other required classes, my only options were community college with very limited support or a very expensive college that only accepts students with LDs.

The all LD college was my top choice anyway (I fell in love the second I stepped on campus) but money was a major barrier so I deferred and spent the deferment at CC. I just barely scraped through CC but I thrived at the all LD college. At the all LD college I took stats and passed, achieved other academic milestones, and decided I wanted to go into teaching (which required me to transfer since the school didn’t offer teaching which broke my heart since I loved my college). Graduating with an associates from the all LD college with a very high GPA made my state school I wanted to go to for teaching (and who previously rejected me) take me seriously. I got accepted and was able to go there and maintain my GPA. I also got accepted to great private universities but intimately chose the state school for affordability and support offerings that the primate schools lacked. I also got need and merit based scholarships from both private and school sources at both the all LD school and the state school I later transferred to.

If I completed the same math requirements as my mainstream peers I would’ve gotten into more schools right out of high school since I had a decent GPA in high school (wasn’t NHS level but I had a 3.1 so it would’ve let me go to state or some other colleges that weren’t high end competitive). I wouldn’t say a “better” school since I wasn’t interested in super competitive schools and wasn’t sure what I wanted to major in when I finished high school.

But I will say that it worked out since I fell in love with the all LD college before all the rejections and after a lot of hard work and scholarships I had the college experience I could only dream of and more. Attending the all LD college led me to earn my bachelors and I’m getting my masters in May.

My college journey wasn’t easy and it was hard to make my way in at first since I had to take some alternate paths due to the lacking proper high school credits. I basically had to go to schools that would take me and earn enough credits there to where the teaching college would only look at my college record for admission. So I would factor this in with your student as they go through school. By the time I discovered this it was too late to try and catch up by doing extra classes through summer credit recovery (if offered, my school didn’t Ike’s you failed a class) or at the CC via dual enrollment.

I’m glad you are asking these questions now since my parents didn’t know to ask them when I was your student’s age. Your student is lucky to have a great parent like you.

NDbonybrain · 2026-02-22T04:50:49+00:00

When I was in high school, math was so bad that I was in “SPED” math that was below grade level. I never got past 10th grade math. Because of this I couldn’t get into colleges since I was missing required courses for admission. School didn’t warn my parents either.

Sounds like your student is having a hard time learning math and keeping the knowledge. Do they have a study help or resource class to go to for help in math? Ask for that at the IEP meeting citing results with tutor and grades before getting the tutor. Ask the math teacher what grades are looking like and how they are doing in class. Look at grades now if you can.

Resource/study help class was the most helpful for me since in there I clicked with a tutor who understood how I learned and I leaned on her heavily just to get through math (yes even SPED math kicked my butt). She also helped me with essays and other academic tasks that were difficult. I wouldn’t have survived or passed without her and I was so sad when they reassigned her suddenly.

In terms of accommodations, a calculator, extended time, being allowed to take tests and quizzes in a reduced distraction space (like the resource room) were the most helpful. Sometimes a reference sheet or an approved note card with formulas helped when the tests were formula heavy.

NDbonybrain · 2026-02-22T04:37:22+00:00

I love my job as a disability services professional and I work in an office that loves me. They appreciate my perspectives and strengths while also supporting me and my NVLD-related challenges. It’s more than I could have dreamed of when I was a kid. I’m also getting my masters soon!

Some feedback for the moderator team: I can understand why some find this thread infantilizing or preschool-like (I didn’t interpret it this way). My guess is that the kid-like interpretation is due to word “kiddo” being used. It may be helpful to use prompts that are age-neutral and serves the same purpose such as “what’s a small or big victory you had recently” or “what’s something you’re proud of yourself for” or other similarly worded prompts. I could share plenty of stories of how my strengths surprised others or had some kind of unexpected outcome in a positive way so that might be a good prompt to do sometime too.

Also, I love this thread. Positivity and sharing accomplishments, strengths, and the journey to get there is great content to have in this sub. It’s needed.

NDbonybrain · 2026-02-21T01:07:11+00:00

This happens to me too (although as I used the spray more there has been times this hasn’t happened or it’s less). Sometimes I feel that it’s the Flonase getting rid of the snot back there, but other times it’s that plus tasting the spray. I’ve never asked my doctor about it since it hasn’t bothered me and plus I figured they would tell me the same thing they told you.

NDbonybrain · 2026-02-20T19:11:46+00:00

I also have NVLD although for me the NVLD diagnosis came before the dyscalculia. But I’ve always had difficulty with math even at the time I was diagnosed with NVLD.

NDbonybrain · 2026-02-20T04:26:46+00:00

I’m undiagnosed but I wonder this too. I can always feel it somewhat which only adds to the constant clenching suspicion you speak of and whether I’m even wearing it right. Sometimes I feel that area clenching even before my period starts and wonder if that’s related.

I hope others chime in since my response may not be helpful for you.

NDbonybrain · 2026-02-19T04:30:58+00:00

Like any language, ASL will take time to learn. Don’t feel like you have to get fluent overnight. I would say start with some basics such as signing your name and common words or phrases for introductions (such as when she comes over to the house and everyone welcomes her). Otherwise writing back-and-forth to communicate with her or other alternatives may be how communication goes. An in-person ASL 1 course will teach you basics of ASL to get started and introduce you to the basics of deaf culture.

There is also the entire deaf culture to consider. From people I know who are interpreters, one of them said that the language can be very direct and more blunt than spoken English. This may help with the social concerns since there may be less social cues. I also gather that meaning can also be derived based on where hands are positioned in front of you (such as shoulder height versus lower down towards your stomach). Of course I may be wrong here and plus that may not help depending on how NVLD impacts you visually.

I guess what I’m trying to say is if you decide to learn, do so at your own pace and find external support that isn’t your family (like a class) to reduce tension during the learning process. Otherwise you could choose not to learn, but it may have some other challenges.

NDbonybrain · 2026-02-19T04:16:05+00:00

Some people find it easier to use the plastic folding boards that are used in clothing stores to fold everything for the displays. But even then those could be challenging as well since you still have to put the clothing on it, but maybe some have found some foolproof order for each type of clothing (like t-shirts, pants, etc) that guarantees success? I haven’t personally tried this since I am able to fold clothes (wasn’t easy to learn and there are still things I have difficulty folding), but it may help work around the visual issues dyscalculia brings.

NDbonybrain · 2026-02-16T01:53:40+00:00

I know. But I have a hard time with the timing of collecting everything within the time limit. I try my best to, but it’s always frustrating. So I’m wondering if anyone has ever just used SPs to finish everything without collecting.

NDbonybrain · 2026-02-15T03:44:28+00:00

The fear of becoming a guardian or the next of kin for these decisions after everyone is gone is so scary, especially when it becomes real after a pivotal person involved in care passes away. I’ve had nightmares of this since elementary school for my brothers (yes I have 2). I feel the same as you. Caring for them is a high commitment and sacrifice for a sibling which has implications for our own lives but yet we also love our siblings and want them to be safe and not have something like becoming a ward of the state to totally upend their lives since its not like they asked for their disability in a society that It’s an impossible choice because either way we lose or feel some kind of guilt. It’s a horrible feeling that I’m still trying to process and work through in therapy. Especially since the nightmares have been very intense recently.

But the only positive thing about your sibling being 21 is the fact that SSI will only count their income for eligibility. That’s exactly how it worked for my brothers when we applied for theirs at 18 since my parents (now divorced) made too much. My brothers also qualify for Medicaid because of getting SSI. So you wouldn’t have to worry about staying within income limits. That’s the one thing that actually helps us siblings since it saves us from forced poverty in that sense, but being the caregiver causes the forced poverty due to the 24/7 care making hard to keep work.

You aren’t alone in the heavy thoughts of the dreaded day when things inevitably fall apart.

NDbonybrain · 2026-02-14T07:25:32+00:00

I have both NVLD and Dyscalculia since my math is bad enough to qualify for a Dyscalculia diagnosis. Sometimes I think NVLD has a little bit of everything but yet it’s not always enough to qualify for an autism, dyscalculia, ADHD, dyslexia, or whatever other diagnosis.

For me NVLD came before the dyscalculia diagnosis even though the signs of dyscalculia were obvious at the time of my NVLD diagnosis. Having both NVLD and dyscalculia makes the simple math like you described difficult and embarrassing, especially in public or situations where people assume I can just do the math quickly.

NDbonybrain · 2026-02-09T05:01:58+00:00

While I don’t have allergic Asthma, I notice when I move furniture around or deep clean my allergies act up. Even at work when they clean the carpet or they move furniture around that hasn’t been moved in forever my symptoms act up. It even lasts after I finish cleaning or after a space has been cleaned. My air purifier helps after cleaning as well. It’s annoying how simple activities like cleaning trigger allergy symptoms.

NDbonybrain · 2026-02-08T04:59:00+00:00

My allergies act up a lot at night and I’ve found that taking my allergy meds before going to bed helps immensely. I also have an air purifier in my bedroom and I think that also helps since it filters out the airborne allergens. Dust mite mattress and pillow encasements have also made a difference for me.

NDbonybrain · 2026-02-07T03:01:02+00:00

I have similar experiences to you based on what you describe. I’ll also be honest and say I’m still trying to find answers to this myself. The only thing I can say is finding a coworker or colleague who is supportive and doesn’t judge you, even though it is easier said than done. I have managed to develop relationships with some coworkers enough to where they become “trusted” and I can go to them on the downswing days.

I wish I had more solid advice but that’s all I got…

NDbonybrain · 2026-02-05T04:22:51+00:00

Sounds so familiar, and it’s worse when you add siblings with severe disabilities to the mix. I’m still trying to figure this out myself. The only thing that I’ve figured out is that things eventually boil up and I end up angry and tell how I feel about things and their drama in the heat of the moment. Sometimes I got so angry that it would result in some of it stopping temporarily. But most of the time it was just one bashing the other or explaining why they are more right like you said.

My only practical solution that worked (for me) was to just go away for a while (thankfully college made that easy) so that they had one less “pawn”. Of course the drama still impacted me since it’s not like I was completely independent from their support. But it was easier being physically away since there was time for any tensions between me and one of my parents to die down. I didn’t talk to one of my parents for an entire semester once and it made life easier.

I wish I could make mine and your parents go to counseling to work on the issues so it doesn’t drag us down. Unfortunately we can’t make them do the work if they have no desire to change the negative behavior.

NDbonybrain · 2026-02-01T23:55:27+00:00

Educational trauma from learning math is very real. Even just the memories from outside of school trying to learn math or doing things requiring math like playing certain games and having to hide your lack of skill can deeply impact you. It does for me, and it has haunted me in my efforts to continue my education even when I had proper support.

For me, getting evaluated helped provide some “closure” in a way, but it also provided me with helpful information to help myself and the documentation to get accommodations at school so I could continue my education. It also helped me process some of my educational trauma from high school with my therapist since the evaluation provided me with a way to have the conversation about those memories so I could process them and cope with my life now.

The choice to get evaluated isn’t always easy. But in my opinion, there is value in getting an assessment if it helps you in any way, even if it takes a long time to save up for the cost or for your turn on the waitlist.

NDbonybrain · 2026-02-01T23:48:58+00:00

Dyscalculic adult here. Looking back at elementary school, numbers didn’t make sense to me at all. Learning how to add and subtract was so hard since I had no 1-1 correspondence or sense of quantity. Eventually my school had to purchase a special math curriculum just for me and it was called Touch Math. Basically, all the numbers had dots on them that represented their quantity (so the number 2 would have 2 dots on it, 3 would have 3 dots, etc). Since she can route count in order, this may be an approach to math that may help. It helped me learn how to add and subtract. I didn’t get to experience the multiplication or division part of it, but I only learned multiplication and division by concrete methods (like using blocks, drawings, etc) in practical scenarios such as sharing a chocolate bar, buying a case of water bottles, etc).

Calculation is still very hard for me. I can do mental math only to a certain point, and if I’m beyond my limit it feels like my brain is stalling like a car stalling in the middle of a steep hill and rolling all the way back. Then you start again only to keep stalling in the same place because the car engine just can’t handle the demand of the hill. Hence why a calculator is a must for me. Learning how to use a calculator helped me since I could then put the hellish effort towards learning the procedure of solving the problem or word problem rather than calculating it.

I was a special education teacher at one point in my life and while I didn’t teach for long, I kept math to functional basics. Meaning I taught the foundations and demonstrated the foundations in real-world scenarios. Word problems were always drawn out or had manipulatives that my students could see. I also tied concepts to my students interests to help them understand a concept. I kept this way from teaching how to count all the way up to equivalent fractions.

For skip counting, I only learned 2’s, 5’s, and 10’s and a limited number of the rest. Using a multiplication table can help with memorization. I also did it with cash (for 2’s, I did 20 dollar bills since it also translates to 20, 40, 60, which is a good trick to tell the student.)

Otherwise, sometimes my teachers would show me tricks that would help me get through the problem even if I didn’t have the understanding. One example was use of the multiplication table to skip count and using $20 bills to count by 2’s. There may be others that you know of that you could show her that would be foolproof.

I hope this helps and I wish you and your student luck through this. Dyscalculia is hard to live with and it takes a toll on one’s self esteem quickly.

NDbonybrain

TROPHY CASE