Category Archives: Unintentional Behaviors

You Are Not Alone

by Linda Ballard

I don’t know how to tell you.

Where should I begin?

It didn’t just start yesterday.

The marriage is nearing an end.

Your mother and I have decided.

Since we have grown so far apart.

There is no way to reconcile,

What matters is what’s in our hearts.

Do not try to blame yourself.

You have wonderful capabilities.

Within our marriage we RECOGNIZED.

It brought us love, hope, and tranquility.

We all have obstacles to overcome.

You need to understand.

When your pain becomes so great.

We will be there as a support plan.

It is hard for our children to express themselves.

All the anger gets locked away.

As your father, the same mistakes were made.

I delayed the problems for another day.

Finally, we had to realize.

We aren’t the only ones involved.

It is TIME, to be honest, and open.

How did our marriage dissolve?

A lot was invested in our relationship.

I thought it would truly last.

Lies and deceit played a huge part.

Love is now the past.

We had to get our courage up.

Our children have done nothing wrong.

The emptiness we all will suffer.

Just know YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

DEDICATION:  This poem GIVES RECOGNITION to all the families across America and the NATION who are going through the process of a DIVORCE or their DIVORCE has become FINAL. Children take a tremendous PRIME BEATDOWN in the fallout of the split in the marriage. It is just not the parent’s DIVORCE but the DIVORCE of a FAMILY UNIT. Even if there are no children involved, DIVORCE is a DEATH that can be RESURRECTED through a greater sense of PURPOSE-reason, PASSION-true intense emotions, a PLACEMENT-in position to accommodate others, PRODUCTIVITY-output, and POWER-effectiveness. Will Downing would sing it to the tune of I Tried.  Toni Braxton’s swan song is Just Be A Man About It.

Fighting On The Assessment__NLD Final Frontier

by Linda Ballard

Scene:   Smokelbg has left the office of Dr. Phil and is on her way to see Dr. Deepak Chopra and Dr. Drew. Earlier in the day she had an appointment with Dr. OZ who referred her to Dr. Phil. It is very significant to show the New Wave Doctors what will happen to NLD Syndrome if it is not given the support of a community and the opportunities to become successful in today’s society. Smokelbg wants to enlist the help of the most innovative doctors to RECOGNIZE the importance of consistent testing of NLD Syndrome. NLD Syndrome may be more common. She wants the New Wave Doctors to understand how unilateral decisions have discriminated against and found a way to avoid giving support to children/adults with extraordinary minds, unique abilities, and multi-level learning styles whom our society has labeled disabled. Smokelbg can’t believe how a school for young pregnant mothers in the mainstream has also been affected just recently by unilateral decisions. It is time for Smokelbg to  FIGHT LIKE HELL on the assessment. This story will explain to the New Wave Doctors – the medical, psychological, social/emotional effect it places on NLD Syndrome, other exceptionalities, and the mainstream. It will compare/contrast NLD Syndrome to the mainstream RECOGNIZABLE and UNRECOGNIZABLE.

Receptionist:

All the release of information forms has been properly completed. Your information has arrived and Dr. Chopra and Dr. Drew will be seeing you in about 10 minutes. We will get the notes from this session back to Dr. Oz and Dr. Phil as soon as possible. We need you to fill out and update some information on your insurance form.  Underneath the insurance forms, we have placed our release of information forms to be filled out. Anywhere you see an X please fill out the area and make sure it is dated and signed.  You will be seated in the RED  ROOM and the doctors with be with you momentarily.

Smokelbg:

Wow! Is this one of the clones from the movie Stepford Wives? She sure has her speech down. Maybe it’s me and this RED ROOM I’m sitting in. Colors do affect a person’s mood. It could be me connecting the dots of Dr. Phil’s room number 666 and the color red.

Receptionist:

Okay, Smoke 1 lb or Smokel Bug the doctors are waiting for you.

Smokelbg:

Hold Up, it is pronounced as SMOKE L.B.G. This has happened to me many times before. I understand when there is a problem with reading words, the spacing of letters, or even seeing the word for the first time it can be pronounced wrong. People with Dyslexia and NLD Syndrome have problems in this area.

Receptionist:

I am neither one.  It was just an error on my part.

Smokelbg:

Do you mispronounce words?  Do you run the lettering of the words together? Have you ever been tested on word reading or pseudoword decoding (ability to pronounce nonsense words)?

Receptionist:

Hey, I made a mistake. I do not make mistakes very often. Dr. Chopra and Dr. Drew will see you now.

Smokelbg:

I think it is time to turn her desk away from the RED ROOM. Maybe a cooler view of just looking at a picture of the ocean waves would loosen her rigid behavior (thinking to herself). Dr. Chopra and Dr. Drew, thank you, both for letting me have this opportunity to visit with you today.

Dr. Chopra:

Thank you for coming. We received your packages of information and I appreciate the books. This is short notice and I have not had the time to brief myself on all information, but this is very fascinating.

Dr. Drew:

Smoklbg, the books are much appreciated and I haven’t had the opportunity to review all of the information on NLD Syndrome. I am not familiar with Nonverbal Learning Disability. You have a lot of concerns. How can we help you?

Smokelbg:

I consider you both as New Wave Doctors. Dr.Chopra your strong connection to MIND, BODY, SPIRIT, and the relationship with LOVE, HEALTH, HAPPINESS is vastly needed. These components would be very essential in helping people with NLD Syndrome become successful. Dr.Drew your straightforwardness on drugs and alcohol addictions will help many individuals realize the changes in one’s behavior and the harm it causes to the body.  The end results will cost the individual his life or another innocent bystander their life. You both have lost people very close to you. Dr. Chopra, I’m deeply sorry for the lost of your longtime friend of 20 yrs., Michael Jackson.

Dr. Drew, I am deeply sorry for the lost of your most recent patient and friend Jeff Conaway.  The key word today is INTERVENTION. I understand that both of you have been criticized for your methods, techniques, and the sincerity of your positions. I need your help in giving RECOGNITION to NLD Syndrome. You both can help me with the importance of showing the world how people diagnosed with NLD syndrome need an inclusive protective environment. They need to be surrounded by those who are committed, educated about NLD Syndrome, and willing to make accommodations for NLD’s unique learning style. Strategies and developing coping skills for the manifestation of their behavior needs to be put in place. DEDICATION without MEDICATION and INTERVENTION can be very productive for NLD Syndrome. SOCIAL SKILLS and LIFE SKILLS  would be the primary teaching of their program. These are very key elements for inclusion in the community and society. I want the American Psychiatric Association (APA) to feel the heat from the grill. They need to be held accountable for not incorporating a syndrome that can interact with other disorders but is left out of a diagnostic manual. The APA did not RECOGNIZE  the damage it has caused by not enlisting NLD Syndrome for as funding, insurance, and school placement. A psychiatric community that has contradicted themselves. They have 38,000 psychiatrists under their umbrella. This is a large COMMUNITY. NLD Syndrome has no supports, no umbrella, no COMMUNITY and is left out in the rain. Hell, even Dan Akroyd and John Belushi in the Blues Brothers were a team. Sam had Dave. Gladys Knight had the Pips. Ike Turner had Tina Turner until he messed up.  I want my New Wave Doctors bringing in NLD Syndrome on the note of the Blues Brothers, “Everybody Needs Somebody”.(Everyone in the room puts on their dark shades, fedoras (hats), and starts imitating the Blues Brothers)

Dr. Chopra:

Aaah, singing, and dancing is very good for the body and uplifts the spirit. I get your message Smoke L.B. G. Yes, my secretary warned me that you had a very tricky name.

Dr. Drew:

That felt great! Dr. Chopra, you got a mean step. Work it out. Smokelbg I get your message loud and clear. I tell you what, I enjoyed shaking my bootie in therapy today.

Dr.Chopra:

I learned that dance step in my country, New Delhi, India. Okay, what is the next step?

Smokelbg:

It is TIME to put the pieces of the puzzle together. NLD Syndrome along with many others have a problem getting the whole picture. I’m going to reiterate very important points from some of my stories to show WHAT’S GOING ON.

Dr. Drew:

I like me some Marvin Gaye. Go Ahead, Go Ahead.

Smokelbg:

We will start with Welcome To My Blog.

1.) We meet people who may appear different, but they shouldn’t change themselves to fit our mold or our way of thinking.

2.) Before we judge them, we first need to learn about them.

INTENTIONAL BEHAVIORS:

1.) We judge people and convict them before we ever get the facts.

2.) We are not trying to learn about others. They will be excluded if they don’t click with our way of thinking.

UNINTENTIONAL BEHAVIORS

Hey Those Are Not My Eyeglasses

1.) A person with a right hemisphere disorder only has use of one side of the brain making it uni-modal. The creative side has damages which cause problems in the 4Rs (reading, riting, rithmetic, and relationships). NLD Syndrome central nervous system is out of whack causing them to have a severe coordination problem. They are at risk for depression, anxiety, stress, and panic attacks. NLDers appear to be annoying, very loud, awkward, and it is very difficult for them to express themselves appropriately. It is hard for them to initiate a conversation but once they get going, the conversation is on. The conversation is relevant to them. The conversation may not be relevant to you. In the mainstream, there are lots of people who intentionally want everything to be about them. People with NLD Syndrome have no clue. We need to TEACH them to understand how to share, take a turn, not to view everyone is just like them, emotions of themselves and understanding emotions of others.  It is very important for NLDers to learn and understand what happens when they act out impulsively and the consequences of their actions.

2.) Their view is very distorted and it causes faulty perception. They miss a lot of information, cannot read people, read between the line, and do not interact with their environment. NLDers want to interact with their environment but don’t know how to interact. They can be taught.

3.) People with NLD Syndrome are NOT EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED and their BEHAVIORS are UNINTENTIONAL.

4.)  Give them an explanation and SPELL IT OUT.

INTENTIONAL BEHAVIORS:

1.) Unilateral Decisions are made. The people who make these decisions have a one-sided view.  It is by their OWN CHOICE not to be connected to his/her environment. They do not desire to interact with other cultures or understand cultural diversity.

2.) Their views are distorted and their one’s size fits all decision-making process is very disturbing. They will go through back doors and do whatever is necessary to get the results they want. They have a Duncan MacLeod Highlander  Effect. “THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE.”

3.)Those who make unilateral decisions are bound and determined to keep out programs that are effective and have shown positive results. People who make unilateral decision strategies are saying, YOU ARE A BUDGET CUT.

EXAMPLE: Rick Snider, the Governor of Michigan, made a decision that was quite disturbing against Catherine Ferguson Academy. He sent a strong message to WOMEN AROUND THE  WORLD. Rick Snider’s decision stripped African-American Women of their right to be educated in an environment which gives them the opportunity to succeed regardless of their plight of being single mothers and continuing their education. Why would you want to cancel a school with a high success rate? Rick Snider and his financial manager Dave Thomas’ message rang out to African-American Women and the African-American Communities, “YOU ARE BLACK AND BACK IN THE KITCHEN BAREFOOT AND PREGNANT”. “YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO MOVE AHEAD.”  Wow! Big time DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN across the nation. This message reaches out to all diverse cultures and has been pointed out in the story, Got No Time To Be Disabled (located in the March 2011 archives), and the Look Of Love Valentine’s Day (located in the February 2011 archives).

The closing of the school has been OVERTURNED but the scent and the taste linger on. You can reverse the decision but the hurt and pain will last a lifetime, especially for those of us who have lived this already and to see it happen all over again. So you see Dr. Chopra and Dr. Drew, CHOICES  are very key elements when Unilateral Decisions are being made.  The biggest picture involved RACE, DISCRIMINATION, EDUCATION, WOMEN, FUNDING, ACHIEVEMENTS, GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION and much more concerning Catherine Ferguson Academy. I mention in my tweets that RACE is a key element but it does not ride alone. The following factors are integrated into the unilateral decision of the closing of Catherine Ferguson Academy.  WE KNOW THE DEAL. WE KNOW THE DRILL. There are a lot of CHOICES of CARDS to PLAY from. We don’t always have to play the same card. The CONSERVATIVES and the REPUBLICANS hand REALLY ROCK THE CRADLE on the above issues.

We now have a clearer picture of how these men feel about Cultural Diversity. We are back to the Highlander Effect, “THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE”. So if you deny certain under-privilege cultures the opportunity to succeed, you are denying them their right to SURVIVE.  The NO CHOICE people will LOSE.

Whatever we assumed about the Conservative and the Republican Party we no longer have to Assume. One thing about NLDers you will never have to assume how they feel about you. They will always tell you, Truth By No-Fault.

They hope people with NLD Syndrome will one day learn to paraphrase their statements, sugarcoat, or lie. Would you rather be lied to? Do you what to know the truth? Can you handle the truth?  Is this one of the reasons why people are so annoyed with those who have NLD Syndrome?  Do you have this characteristic or trait of NLD Syndrome that turns people off?

Dr. Chopra and Dr. Drew, do you mind if we take a short recess? I need to have a roundtable discussion with Tavis Smiley, Dr. Cornell West, Rachel Maddow, Rev. Al Sharpton, Wolf Blitzer, and MSNBC. I  need to contact the President of the United States, The Onion, Ed Schultz, Michael Eric Dyson, NPR, and Prince.

Dr. Chopra:

Go ahead Smokelbg. Why Prince? I do not understand.

Smokelbg:

Prince has the EYES that will reveal it all, just like  Dr. Phil has those talking EYEBROWS which tells the story of his approval or disapproval. It is the nonverbal communication that will tell the story of each of the key player chosen above. NLDers would be lost in this meeting because they will not be able to decipher the body language nor read between the lines.

Dr. Drew:

I would love to be at that conference. Do you think we could get Prince to sing and dance at the roundtable meeting?  It would be one hell of an icebreaker to get things started. That’s my song by the Black-Eye Peas, Let’s Get It Started In Here.

Smokelbg:

There is a chart you can refer to online that shows NLD interacting DIRECTLY with other disorders such as ASPERGER SYNDROME, OCD, AND TIC DISORDER. There are outside factors of learning disabilities that affect NLD Syndrome such as AUTISM DISORDER, PDD LIKE DISORDERS, ANXIETY DISORDERS. Go to NLDONLINE.CA.

I want my chosen team to PLEASE READ-DSM5 TO EXCLUDE ASPERGER, PDD-NOS, AND NLD IN 2013, WAIT… WHAT. This article is written by LIFE DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (LDI). This article points out that particular issues for  African Americans families are typically later referred for being diagnosed at a much later age than their Caucasian counterparts. The story GOT NO TIME TO BE DISABLED points out how race is played out in an underprivileged area. Information was provided to demonstrate how other cultures can be discriminated against.

UNINTENTIONAL BEHAVIORS

We Need An Interpreter

1.)  NLDers can’t interpret body language, abstract language, and are unable to communicate socially. It causes a massive amount of confusion within the person which in return causes them to act out UNINTENTIONALLY and their behavior to manifest. They need a verbal explanation.

2.) Grand Guardians-trusted adults who give verbal and concrete explanations to NLDers to help interpret the world around them. They mentor, develop strategies, coping skills, provide accommodations to help people with NLD Syndrome to work around their deficits. Grand Guardians help advocate the needs of NLDers in order for those with NLD Syndrome to one day be able to advocate for themselves.

3.) Take the fluff out of NLDers program and make their life-like The Reader’s Digest Books_Condensed.

4.) Give them factual information and documentation. Only teach BENEFICIAL SKILLS.

INTERPRETERS FOR EXTRAORDINARY MINDS, UNIQUE ABILITIES, AND MULTI-LEVEL LEARNING STYLES

1.) Grand Guardians, mentors, psychiatrists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, attorneys, advocates, family and friends who are knowledgeable and trustworthy.

INTENTIONAL BEHAVIORS:

1.) People who are very familiar with their friend/associates behaviors INTENTIONALLY create havoc to make them act out. They set people up for failure.

2.) They will make negative comments to always break the self-esteem down of their peers. It is the negative nucleus I factor of you need me, I don’t need you. I am better than you. I made you who you are. I have more money than you. I YI YI! Fighting the Fight by Proxy. Don’t let them wine you up. Don’t let people light your fuse.

3.) As far as friendships and relationships, they choose to unfriend you at the drop of a dime and manipulate behaviors of others. Let them fight their own fight and don’t let them pull you into their fight. What you need to understand there are many people who appear very likable but these are the Rump-Shakers who will get other people involved to do all the dirty work and never have a blemish on their record. Who are the real Scum Bags?

INTERPRETERS FOR THE MAINSTREAM, RECOGNIZABLE AND UNRECOGNIZABLE(Good and Bad)

1.) advisors, attorneys, coaches, analysts, managers, CEOs, counselors, Supreme Court Justices, Chief of Staff, Presidents, Prime Ministers, etc.

2.) Carl Rove-former Senior Advisor, Deputy Chief to Former President George Bush (Bush’s Brain) BAD BABY! Carl Rove is Commander and Chief of RACISM and HATRED of all TIMES. Money cannot buy everything especially a President. Carl Rove thinks it can.

3.) Dominique Strauss-Kahn IMF-manager of the International Monetary Fund (sex scandals, harassment, and the NO NO THOUGHTS) BAD BABY! Totally out of control. Ruined a magnificent career. This dude has really poor judgment. He is not a TRUSTED ADULT

4.) Silvio Berlusconi-Prime Minister of Italy (sex scandals, and corruptions) BAD BABY! Trusted Adult-No. You would not trust your child with a person like this or MITT ROMNEY’S dead dog! No!

5.) Clarence Thomas-Supreme Court Justice-Conservative who will not flinch when it comes to judging the consequences of others. (He has to learn and understand the whole picture) UNINTENTIONAL VS INTENTIONAL A Supreme Court Justice bent on closing the gap so one can think the INTENTIONAL Behaviors are now the New Norm.

Read Who In The World Is NLD? (located in the January 2011 archive). BAD BABY! OUT of TOUCH and a sellout. Trusted Adult-No! Thomas needs to leave the Supreme Court with his outdated ideas. DETHRONE!

1.) Shows traits and characteristics of NLD Syndrome

2.) Accommodations used to help NLD maneuver around their deficits

NLD Syndrome is the FLIP SIDE OF THE CHART.  Choices and opportunities are not provided to them in order to have support from a community.   People with NLD Syndrome without the necessary support will end up being institutionalized, imprisoned, or dead.  I am quite sure this is not the choices they would make for themselves.

Companies support one another. They either merge together, interconnect or buy each other out to keep themselves from failing. Banks and the Auto Industry do it all the times.

1.) Apple interconnect with Twitter

2.) Microsoft interconnect with Facebook

3.) Huffington Post and AOL

4.) MSNBC and Comcast

5.) AT&T and T-mobile

6.) Sprint and Nextel

7.) Best Buy and Radio Shack

8.) Sears and Kmart

This list can go on and on. Oprah, Stedman Graham, and Gayle King have supported each other for many years. Hell, even Oprah’s dogs support her on the cover of  O Magazine. We have companies that are Watchdogs.

1.) Media Matters-monitors the inaccuracies of the Conservatives and the media.

2.) Consumer Report is the Watch Dog for the Consumer.

Come on people! Where are the dogs that will watch out for NLD Syndrome? Snoop Dogg watches out for his Doggs. NLD Syndrome ends up in the Dog’s House. Why would you vanish Asperger Syndrome to lump these other syndromes all together?  Why would the American Psychiatric Association avoid putting NLD Syndrome on their list?  What is the American Psychiatric Association’s real agenda? Does the APA have a problem with cultural diversity? Go back and read Got No Time To Be Disabled. Is the American Psychiatric Association going through the back door to discriminate against those who are underprivileged? Is this one of the ways the American Psychiatric Association can institutionalize and imprison a diverse culture of people by denying them the opportunity of educational accommodation, job accommodation, funding, insurance, and support from a community.  Will the APA decision for the DSM-5  resemble the Catherine Ferguson Academy decision? Now pay close attention. If you have a disorder that is RECOGNIZED by the AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION with UNINTENTIONAL BEHAVIORS how will  NLD Syndrome/other exceptionalities and behaviors be judged against the mainstream behaviors?  There have been numerous outbreaks of behaviors by government officials, RECOGNIZABLE AND UNRECOGNIZABLE.

Why would the APA want to close the gap and make it appear that all BEHAVIORS ARE INTENTIONAL?  Who is the AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION really trying to get rid of?  Who are they trying to set up for failure?  Can we trust the APA? Do we assume they work in the best interest of the people?  WE KNOW THE  DRILL.

WE KNOW THE DEAL.  We no longer need to assume anymore about the APA  and who they are connected to.  The key words are UNINTENTIONAL VS INTENTIONAL. Close the gap and everyone will be judged on INTENTIONAL BEHAVIORS by conservative judges that may not Flinch. Go to my blog and read the stories and tell me what you think.

It is time to connect the dots and FIGHT ON THE ASSESSMENT.

ADVISORY ALERT:

If you ever slip into a coma, survive an aneurysm, stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, Parkinson disease, diabetes, hydrocephalus, any disease that causes damage to the brain-WHO WILL YOU RESEMBLE? YOU ARE NOW DISABLED. WILL YOU BE PROVIDED WITH THE NECESSARY SUPPORT TO SURVIVE?

Remember the message the AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION is sending.  People with NLD SYNDROME will not be RECOGNIZED, will not be provided with SUPPORT, and have NO RIGHTS FOR QUALITY OF LIFE.

DEDICATION: THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY WHO HAS PROVIDED A COMMUNITY, INTERVENTION, NEW WAVE MEDICINES AND TREATMENT TO SUPPORT WHATEVER QUALITY OF LIFE THAT IS PENDING.

NLD MOM/CANCER SURVIVOR

New Wave Physician__Healthy Choice Doctor For NLD

by Linda Ballard

Scene:  Smokelbg is on the prowl for the most creative, updated, and therapeutic doctors in the field today. On her shopping tour, you will be surprised about the doctors she encounters. She wants the doctors to understand NLD Syndrome, and for people to RECOGNIZE that NLD Syndrome may be very common.

The American Psychiatric Association needs to be held accountable for the exclusion of NLD Syndrome after 41 yrs. of not placing it in their diagnostic manual.  In reviewing the history of the APA, Smokelbg understands why NLD Syndrome is not on the DSM-5. Smokelbg wants to bring awareness to her New Wave Physicians and people around the world.

Smokelbg:

It is TIME! I am on my way to shop for the most innovative doctors.  I want the best choice and a healthy choice for NLD Syndrome. This is where we cut the fat. A person diagnosed with NLD Syndrome needs excess fluff cut out of their diet. They need the facts and not the fat.  Dr. OZ gives explicit, concrete visuals, examples, and information.  We get the message and it is exactly what NLD needs.  Dr. OZ makes it a point to show how important it is to make life changes so we can extend our life by changing our diet. NLD needs lots of modification and choices incorporated into their life diet to enable them to work around their deficits and not be set up for failure. NLD doesn’t need unrealistic goals set. They need lots of TIME. That is what I really like about  Dr. Oz and his show. He makes it clear to his audience this just won’t happen overnight. It will take TIME to get results.

Dr. OZ:

Now Smokelbg, you know that I emphasize how important it is to cut back and eat smaller meals, exercise, and see a doctor before you take on any new exercise regimen. Our body needs to be watered like a plant. So make sure you drink plenty of water. Your body needs the appropriate amount of rest. It will take TIME and a STEP BY STEP PROCEDURE so you don’t expect quick results. From the results, you will make PROGRESS.

Smokelbg:

Dr. Oz, this is what I want people to understand about NLD. It’s going to take a long TIME and it is a STEP BY STEP PROCEDURE. In today’s world, we want everything to happen RIGHT NOW.   In our society, we want fast food, to get rich quick, and to become a superstar overnight. The fast food proves to be unhealthy for our body. The people who won the lottery made poor investments and lost all their money. The overnight superstars got cocky, acted out impulsively, and landed on the front page of the  National Enquirer.  So you see Dr. Oz, people choose to spend hours waxing and rubbing their cars, but they cannot take the TIME out of their day to BUFF THEIR LIFE.

We put so much time and preparation into planning a wedding. This process can take months. Very little preparation goes into preparing COPING SKILLS to help us get through a single day. Look at all the TIME we invest in our jobs and the STRESS it causes. We don’t take the TIME to develop STRATEGIES to help deal with the STRESS. Depression sets in and we are now the TIDY BOWL ACHIEVERS. The work we produce looks like it comes from A JANITOR IN A DRUM. The company thinks we are full of  DOO DOO. We need lots of encouragement and praise to be more productive on the job. Our performance is going to get worse.

Now look here Dr. OZ, the same thing can happen to a person with NLD Syndrome. They will probably end up at the psychiatrist suffering from depression, anxiety, panic, and stress. THE TIDY BOWL ACHIEVERS will end up in your office suffering from hypertension, high blood pressure, or a good old faithful heart attack. Either way, it is not good. Can we just get an e-mail that reads, “You guys are doing a fantastic job? No, you are not getting a raise but hugs, kisses, and warm fuzzies to you. Keep up the good work. Hey, it’s better than nothing.”  The TIDY BOWL ACHIEVERS would internally think this is a bunch of DOO DOO. NLDers are external and very verbose and they will say to their boss, “you are full of SHhhh.”

There goes the NLDERS job and we are back to square one. They will not hold back on what they think because of processing information from the outside in. This is only one of the reasons why they get fired so often. Truth by no fault is NLDers M.O. and people can’t take it straight up front.

Dr. OZ:

Thanks, Smokelbg, I’m beginning to get the picture of how it works for the NLDers. I appreciate the lesson. I tell you what, I’ll see if  I can get you in with Dr. PHIL. He would be quite fascinated with NLD Syndrome. I will give him a call and tell him you are on the way.

Smokelbg:

Thank you, Dr. OZ for letting me bend your ears back. I will be back in my red slippers to get my lab work done. I want to make sure my clock doesn’t stop ticking. I’m glad somebody around here is getting the picture. For a moment I thought I was going to have a heart attack fooling around with the APA.

I’m coming around the corner. Here’s Dr. Phil’s office. Okay, room 666. Aahh Man, you are kidding me!  Maybe he’s going to play the Devil’s Advocate. Excuse me, I have an appointment to see Dr.Phil. I hope this isn’t a long wait. Watch, the receptionist is going to tell me I’m scheduled for 10:45 a.m.

Receptionist:

Do you have your insurance card? Is the information on your insurance updated?  Is this your first visit here? Please fill out these papers and your appointment is at 10:45 a.m. Your copay is $25.00.

Smokelbg:

No, I have coupons. It’s just a Paul Ryan joke. Sure, everybody is scheduled at 10:45 in the morning…  Let me reach over here and read this magazine. Let’s see who is on the cover of TIME MAGAZINE today. All right! SHAQUILLE O’NEAL RETIRES. Enjoy your life SHAQ. I had a good SHAQ DAY yesterday.

Receptionist:

Dr. Phil is ready to see you now. Who is Paul Ryan?

Smokelbg:

If you don’t know you might be in good shape. Dr. Phil, thanks for seeing me on such a short notice. I brought you some books on Nonverbal Learning Disabilities.  I have Rourke, B.P. (1995) Syndrome of Nonverbal Learning Disability:  Neuro-developmental Manifestations, Guilford Press. Rourke, B.P. (1989) Nonverbal Learning Disabilities:  The Symbol and the Model, Guilford Press. Questions and Answers #1-48, Home Page: WWW.NLD-BPROURKE.CA.  Whitney, R. V. (2008),  Nonverbal Learning Disorder: Understanding and Coping with NLD and Asperger’s – What Parents and Teacher’s Need To Know, Pedigree Books. Semrud-Clikeman M, & Hynd GW. (1990).

Right hemisphere dysfunction in nonverbal learning disabilities: social, academic, and adaptive functioning in adults and children. Psychological Bulletin, 107, 196-209.  I will throw in another website, NLDONLINE.CA, just in case you want a quick overview.

Dr. Phil:

Thank you for the information Smokelbg. Do you always give the doctors a book when you first meet them?

Smokelbg:

Yes, I do. Two things can happen from this point on. It can piss the doctor off and they will feel intimidated that I’m questioning their knowledge on the subject we are about to explore.  On the other hand, the doctor will be thrilled with the information, willing to hear me out, and learn. Which one are you?

Dr. Phil:

I am willing to learn. Now Smokelbg, this is a lot. It will take some sessions for me to get through this information. Can you brief me?

Smokelbg:

Dr.Phil I did not want to get caught with my drawers down. All the outbreaks of behaviors from the now INFAMOUS RECOGNIZABLE had me worried. So many of them are getting caught with their drawers down, FOR REAL. There has got to be an explanation.  A lot of the RECOGNIZABLE look like they had traits and characteristics of NLD Syndrome.

Dr. Phil, it is not that hard. You have all this body language you display. When you start confronting the parents on your show it is all over your face. Your eyebrows can tell a story by themselves. People with NLD Syndrome cannot read body language and they miss a lot of information. Your eyebrows can’t even get a message to NLD… They have a developmental disability which causes the right hemisphere of the brain to process information differently. Do to faulty perception and how they process their information cause them to have a neuro-behavioral disorder which or unintentional behaviors. They are not emotionally disturbed. Bottom line is they need an interpreter just as you would need an interpreter in a foreign country.

How are you going to know how to act and respond if you don’t understand the language?  How are you going to develop friends and relationships in a country where the language is a barrier and is abstract?  NLD Syndrome has the same problem with abstract language in our own country. They can’t read between the lines.

I have always loved when Joan Rivers said,”CAN WE TALK”.  Nowadays people hate talking and communicating. The text in the same room with the other person only a few feet away. They e-mail you or fax you and you can be an ear-shot away. They FACEBOOK you to death, TWEET you out, and will have a YOUTUBE moment to blow your cover.  So some doctor needs to review the social communication aspect of NLD Syndrome.  We all begin to fall short in this area and begin to look like we have NLD Syndrome. What communication? What do you think Dr. Phil? Why are you looking at me like that?  Are we going to have one of those MADEA MOMENTS?

Dr. Phil:

You are doing fine. You have some valid points. No, we are not going to have a MADEA MOMENT.

Smokelbg:

Okay, you just start looking at me funny. People with NLD Syndrome can really talk. They are auditory-verbal and they want an explanation for everything. This is their mode of learning. They do not explore their environment. People feel they are being challenged and become very annoyed when questioned by  NLDers.

A person with NLD Syndrome will say,  ” I know you feel stupid because you don’t have an answer. Don’t worry you are not alone. There are a lot of stupid people in the world. The ones who are really stupid are the ones who say I’ll get back with you, but they know they are not coming back.”  Get the picture, Dr. Phil. Don’t go to a funeral.

They will walk up to a coffin and say exactly what we think silently. They may laugh out loud and point out the dress is ugly and say the person has on too much makeup. If someone comments the person did not look like themselves, the response from the person with NLD is this, “Have you ever seen them dead before. They look like this all the time.”

NLDers are not rude. Most of the time when they say something they are correct. We just tuck our comments away and when no one is around we express how we really feel. Now if the microphone is turned on, here comes the  YouTube Moment.We are basically NLD Syndrome Undercover. Who writes, or does math anymore, or pays attention to anyone other than themselves. We are in the computer age Doc. It’s all done for us. We covered the social aspect of NLD Syndrome. The only two areas left that encompass NLD Syndrome is MOTORIC  and VISUAL SPATIAL ORGANIZATION.  As far as motoric, NLD Syndrome nervous system is totally off track or compromised and they have a severe coordination problem. Gymnastics are out, tying shoes, and riding a motorcycle is under advisory alert: DON’T DO.  NLD Syndrome has difficulty with judging people, distance, and weight of objects. They are in your face and in your space. Disorganized is at the top of their list. Advisory Alert: No long road trips unless you have a GPS device. They don’t do puzzles.

They cannot see the forest for the trees,  recognition of faces/places, and is attached to the right or left hip of an adult because they bind through continuous dialogue to stabilize themselves. Well, Dr. Phil, I see you are checking your watch so you must have another appointment. Check out my other stories. When is our next appointment?

Dr. Phil:

Tell the receptionist to set you up for an appointment at 10:45 a.m. The same place. The same channel. The year 2666 will be a perfect time. I’m just kidding you. I will see you next month on July 20, Wednesday.

Smokelbg:

Don’t make me have a MADEA MOMENT and saw your beautiful leather sofa in half,  just kidding. I’ll be here in my devil’s outfit next month. I will go over to  Cambridge Building and see if I can set up an appointment with Deepak Chopra, and Dr. Drew. I must speak to the Dali Lama.

Dr. Phil:

Good luck Smokelbg. I thought she already had her suit on.  She is on a mission. Let me get in here and start reading so next month I will have a couch to sit on. I don’t want to be caught with my drawers down. We have had a lot of that behavior lately.

This story is dedicated to the New Wave Physicians at KU Med Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Dr. Albert Buddy Poje Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Licensed Psychologist. KU Med Center, University of Kansas Neuropsychology and Rehabilitation Psychology, Dr. Monica Kurylo

PH.D. ABPP Board Certified in Rehabilitation Psychology, Assistant Professor, and Licensed Clinical Psychologist. I like to give special thanks to Dr. William Stiers, PH.D., Dr. Steve Colson PH.D., Dr. David Richman PH.D., Dr. R. Matthew Reese, PH.D.

To the following doctors who put so much hard work into diagnosing our children, I truly want to thank all of you. This is a time to bridge the gap and fight on the assessment. This blog is created to bring clarity and understanding to parents, teachers, a person with extraordinary minds, unique abilities, and multi-level learning styles, doctors, attorneys, entrepreneurs, and every person around the WORLD.  I will like to give a very special THANK YOU  to the founders of WORD PRESS, Matthew Charles Mullenweg and Mike Little for giving me and many bloggers the opportunity to PRESS THE WORD TO THE CURVE.  As CAMEO would say WORD UP.

The Truth About NLD (Nonverbal Learning Disability) And Who It Can Resembled your

by

One day the American Psychiatric Association took a really good look at the traits and characteristics of NLD Syndrome. Who did those traits and characteristics resemble? You guessed it, the APA. Nonverbal Learning Disability (NLD) has been around for 41 years and has not made the list. Sometimes when we look into the mirror or under our own microscope we do not like the reflection that bounces off the mirror. Even worse, we really don’t like the disease under the microscope. So what would be the best solution?  A cover-up will be just fine. The APA can drag their feet for years.  The American Psychiatric Association sees the correlation of NLD Syndrome to their Association. So why test or even acknowledge this syndrome?  NLD Syndrome might start popping up all over the place. It might just resemble too many people who are RECOGNIZABLE. If the American Psychiatric Association started testing for NLD Syndrome on a consistent basis, it’s no telling who might turn up on THE LIST.

Let’s take a look at the history of the American Psychiatric Association, who has decided to distance themselves from the Psychologists many years ago. The APA (American Psychiatric Association) was formulated in 1844 in Philadelphia. Their symbol carries 13 stars over a head of an individual inside a coin-shaped emblem. The stars represented the 13 superintendents and organizers of the insane asylums and hospitals which were constructed to formulate the new American Psychiatric Association. The APA has had a pattern of making irresponsible decisions for many years.  At one time homosexuality was placed on the DSM as a disorder. It was voted out and removed in 1973.  APA later had the Mission Impossible effect to change the name to protect themselves. The name of homosexuality was changed to ego-dystonic sexuality and later removed from the DSM in 1987. Once again the tape has blown up on the mission. The American Psychiatric Association is back to putting a crazy diagnosis on their list. They were considering putting Internet Addiction on the list.  Imagine that. For my NLDers who cannot imagine, it would be putting the Internet on medication and locking it up in an insane asylum for no more viewing. This would hide the truth about the APA and who they may resemble.

Dr. Allen Frances MD.,  who use to be a member of the DSM4 task force, wrote a very interesting article on April 8th, 2011.  The article was in Psychology Today. It was called DSM5 In Distress. This is how the Dr. Allen Frances List looks.

1.) DSM5 keeps missing their deadline.

2.) The APA proposals were reckless.

3.) They had poor planning and missed deadlines.

4.) APA over promised and under delivered.

5.) The APA procrastinated and has compromised the coding of the DSM5.

6.) APA poorly thought out the proposal.

7.) 1st draft of the DSM5 was written sloppily.

8.) APA gave extension and wasted these extensions in many ways.

9.) The International Classification of Disease (ICD) World Health Organization in Geneva codes and modification may have been compromised.

10.) ICD-10 codes were written to align themselves with the DSM4. What codes will be written to align themselves with the DSM5?

11.) A window of opportunity will be missed to place a significant diagnosis on the list.

CHARACTERISTICS AND TRAITS OF NLD SYNDROME

1.) problems with time on tasks

2.) trouble with organizational skills

3.)  difficulty with scheduling, disorganized, cannot project or judge

4.) can’t put their thoughts on paper/written responses,  can talk the talk but cannot walk the walk, problems with productivity when it comes to paper tasks, expresses themselves eloquently

5.) difficulty getting started on a related task, needs to be jump started to initiate plans or on related task, problems in the areas of communication, difficulty multitasking, difficulty understanding what is relevant/irrelevant

6.) faulty spatial perception, problems with executive functions, difficulty being creative and can only think in black and white

7.) difficulty with motor impairment causing writing task to be grueling, slow

8.) difficulty with transition and adapting to change

9.) talks their way through the motor task

10.) they constantly talk their way in or out of a situation

11.)  gestalt impressions (they just don’t get the whole picture)

12.) Problems with their decision-making process which makes it very difficult to understand cause and effect.

13.) trouble with alignment

These characteristics and traits of NLD Syndrome resemble the American Psychiatric Association and their work in progress on the DSM5. We may begin to recognize NLD Syndrome is more common if consistent testing were done.

It SHOULD matter if it is my house, or your house, the poor house or the White House!  NLD could be rearing its head in recognition and striking very close to home. (DYNAMITE, DYNAMITE)  There are many unexplained behaviors which have revealed themselves in the past years to many who are RECOGNIZABLE.  Dr. Allen Frances, I hope this explains why the American Psychiatric Association (APA) is off task. This might even explain why NLD Syndrome has never been placed on the list. Sometimes a reflection of who we may resemble may keep us from looking directly into the mirror. It is the FEAR, SHAME, GUILT, and HUMILIATION of being found out. The American Psychiatric Association may not be as credible as we may expect them to be. Who truthfully is NLD? Who does NLD resemble? WHY is the American Psychiatric Association (APA) keeping NLD SYNDROME off their LIST (DSM5)?

Coming to an IMAX  Theatre in May 2013, in 3D, the DSM5–Hopefully

The Truth About NLD (Nonverbal Learning Disability) And Who It Can Resemble

by Linda Ballard

One day the American Psychiatric Association took a really good look at the traits and characteristics of NLD Syndrome. Who did those traits and characteristics resemble? You guessed it, the APA. Nonverbal Learning Disability (NLD) has been around for 41 years and has not made the list. Sometimes when we look into the mirror or under our own microscope we do not like the reflection that bounces off the mirror. Even worse, we really don’t like the disease under the microscope. So what would be the best solution?  A cover-up will be just fine. The APA can drag their feet for years.  The American Psychiatric Association sees the correlation of NLD Syndrome to their Association. So why test or even acknowledge this syndrome?  NLD Syndrome might start popping up all over the place. It might just resemble too many people who are RECOGNIZABLE. If the American Psychiatric Association started testing for NLD Syndrome on a consistent basis, it’s no telling who might turn up on THE LIST.

Let’s take a look at the history of the American Psychiatric Association, who has decided to distance themselves from the Psychologists many years ago. The APA (American Psychiatric Association) was formulated in 1844 in Philadelphia. Their symbol carries 13 stars over a head of an individual inside a coin-shaped emblem. The stars represented the 13 superintendents and organizers of the insane asylums and hospitals which were constructed to formulate the new American Psychiatric Association. The APA has had a pattern of making irresponsible decisions for many years.  At one time homosexuality was placed on the DSM as a disorder. It was voted out and removed in 1973.  APA later had the Mission Impossible effect to change the name to protect themselves. The name of homosexuality was changed to ego-dystonic sexuality and later removed from the DSM in 1987. Once again the tape has blown up on the mission. The American Psychiatric Association is back to putting a crazy diagnosis on their list. They were considering putting Internet Addiction on the list.  Imagine that. For my NLDers who cannot imagine, it would be putting the Internet on medication and locking it up in an insane asylum for no more viewing. This would hide the truth about the APA and who they may resemble.

Dr. Allen Frances MD.,  who use to be a member of the DSM4 task force, wrote a very interesting article on April 8th, 2011.  The article was in Psychology Today. It was called DSM5 In Distress. This is how the Dr. Allen Frances List looks.

1.) DSM5 keeps missing their deadline.

2.) The APA proposals were reckless.

3.) They had poor planning and missed deadlines.

4.) APA over promised and under delivered.

5.) The APA procrastinated and has compromised the coding of the DSM5.

6.) APA poorly thought out the proposal.

7.) 1st draft of the DSM5 was written sloppily.

8.) APA gave extension and wasted these extensions in many ways.

9.) The International Classification of Disease (ICD) World Health Organization in Geneva codes and modification may have been compromised.

10.) ICD-10 codes were written to align themselves with the DSM4. What codes will be written to align themselves with the DSM5?

11.) A window of opportunity will be missed to place a significant diagnosis on the list.

CHARACTERISTICS AND TRAITS OF NLD SYNDROME

1.) problems with time on tasks

2.) trouble with organizational skills

3.)  difficulty with scheduling, disorganized, cannot project or judge

4.) can’t put their thoughts on paper/written responses,  can talk the talk but cannot walk the walk, problems with productivity when it comes to paper tasks, expresses themselves eloquently

5.) difficulty getting started on a related task, needs to be jump started to initiate plans or on related task, problems in the areas of communication, difficulty multitasking, difficulty understanding what is relevant/irrelevant

6.) faulty spatial perception, problems with executive functions, difficulty being creative and can only think in black and white

7.) difficulty with motor impairment causing writing task to be grueling, slow

8.) difficulty with transition and adapting to change

9.) talks their way through the motor task

10.) they constantly talk their way in or out of a situation

11.)  gestalt impressions (they just don’t get the whole picture)

12.) Problems with their decision-making process which makes it very difficult to understand cause and effect.

13.) trouble with alignment

These characteristics and traits of NLD Syndrome resemble the American Psychiatric Association and their work in progress on the DSM5. We may begin to recognize NLD Syndrome is more common if consistent testing were done.

It SHOULD matter if it is my house, or your house, the poor house or the White House!  NLD could be rearing its head in recognition and striking very close to home. (DYNAMITE, DYNAMITE)  There are many unexplained behaviors which have revealed themselves in the past years to many who are RECOGNIZABLE.  Dr. Allen Frances, I hope this explains why the American Psychiatric Association (APA) is off task. This might even explain why NLD Syndrome has never been placed on the list. Sometimes a reflection of who we may resemble may keep us from looking directly into the mirror. It is the FEAR, SHAME, GUILT, and HUMILIATION of being found out. The American Psychiatric Association may not be as credible as we may expect them to be. Who truthfully is NLD? Who does NLD resemble? WHY is the American Psychiatric Association (APA) keeping NLD SYNDROME off their LIST (DSM5)?

Coming to an IMAX  Theatre in May 2013, in 3D, the DSM5–Hopefully

Recognition For Life

by Linda Ballard

When I first started using Twitter I was advocating for NLD (Nonverbal Learning Disability) to be put on the DSM5 and to be recognized by the Center of Disease Control (CDC), and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). These are the WHO’s WHO list of health and disability. I wanted a community for support, testing, research, and schools to understand and make accommodations for Nonverbal Learning Disability. This would be an inclusive environment with recognition from home, to school, in the community, and our society for NLD and other unique learning styles with extraordinary minds. I want people to LEARN, LIVE, and SURVIVE. I want people to understand and know their QUALITY OF LIFE.

—————-

In a recent article by NPR, Autism Is Underestimated in South Korea, it may be more common than one thinks.  Autism is Mr. Umbrella of the Spectrum.  These neurological disorders are global and are being overlooked. At least Autism is recognizable and has a National Autism Society for inclusion. NLD, on the other hand, is unrecognized by the DSM4 and it leaves it no room for being a credible neuropsychological disorder.  Those who have been diagnosed with NLD Syndrome have unintentional behaviors and is not emotionally disturbed.

———————

Whether it is Nonverbal Learning Disability (NLD), Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), on the list or not, I am going for RECOGNITION FOR A HUMAN LIFE. The new text message for RECOGNITION FOR LIFE is ESBL We, the parents, our children/adults EAT, SLEEP, BREATH, and LIVE these disorders and have earned our HONORARY DEGREE.

————-

This text blog message is dedicated to the American Psychiatric Association(APA), Dr. Regier and his task force team.

——————

NLD Mom/cancer survivor

Etiology of Quality

by Linda Ballard

On Jan 14th this poem was posted on Twitter. It is Dedicated to Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the family of Malcolm X, the family of Ted Kennedy, and the Obama Family.

Quality of Life is quality of one’s Mind.

Quality of Education will leave us refined

Quality of Parenting will strengthen the binds.

Quality of Endurance is an ultimate goal.

Quality of Happiness will enlighten the soul.

Quality of Love puts our hearts on the mend.

Quality of Knowledge helps us teach, learn, and comprehend.

Quality of Truth is an awesome power.

Quality of Peace is needed by the hour.

Quality of Commitment is Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream”.

Quality of his Speech motivated and lifted our self-esteem.

Quality of Loss is a masterful gain.

Quality of Hope, we must truly retain.

Quality of Relationships should be cherished to the end.

Etiology of Quality, this is where it all begins.

—————-

Smokelbg@Twitter

NLD Mom/cancer survivor

Side by Side Play

by Linda Ballard

Mom took me to the playground.

All the children played.

Mom watched me very carefully.

She knows I have delays.

———-

Mom came up to me repeatedly.

I didn’t know how to react.

So I shook my head and flapped my arms.

I tried to interact.

———-

The children begin to surround me.

All I could do was stare.

Mom stepped right in immediately.

She helps me become aware.

———-

This is my big moment,

To make friends and try to choose.

This is my moment for reaching out.

I did not want to lose.

———-

Mom deals with all my social blunders

She truly understands.

She loves me and encourages me.

Mom tells me, YES YOU CAN.

———-

I became so frustrated.

My behaviors begin to manifest.

I started stumping, crying, and screaming.

Mom told me it was time to rest.

———-

The children became so frightened.

They all started running away.

I was puzzled and felt very empty inside.

This was a horrible day.

———-

Understanding the concept of making friends,

Made it difficult for the children to stay.

Mom wrapped her arms around me and whispered.

It is called side by side play.

———-

This is dedicated to all the Mothers with children that have extraordinary minds with unique abilities and multi-level learning styles on Mother’s Day, wishing you the best. This also goes out to all the children across the world who have difficulty developing friendships and relationships. Hang in there, you are not alone.

NLD Mom/cancer survivor

Giving Recognition To The Unrecognized__Saving Lives

by Linda Ballard

We give recognition to people, things, places, and subjects that are identifiable and previously known. Through encounters of their existence, we give validation to their achievement. This makes them credible and recognizable. Recognition is the most talked about and the latest trend.  Those who are rich, famous and recognizable suffer from SHAME, GUILT, and FEAR of HUMILIATION…  They battle knowing a problem exists or has been in existence for a long period time. The greatest FEAR for the people who are recognizable is someone will find out about their problem. They will lose their reputation and their  3G network (Glimmer, Glamour, and Gold) that comes along with their fame.  The people who go unrecognized is just the opposite. No credit is given to the unrecognizable. Their problems are masked, hidden, disguised and unknown. At this time or any time the unrecognized is definitely not the trend. Given no support from their community, no validation, the burden of SHAME and GUILT lies heavy in their hearts.

This is a welcome mat for  ISOLATION.  Those who feel the burns of SHAME, GUILT, FEAR, and ISOLATION may be tempted to glance into the window of SUICIDE. ISOLATION is their choice. They give themselves a hall pass for denial and it feeds the SHAME, GUILT, and FEAR. The unrecognized has fewer choices. The choice of ISOLATION is granted by the one that judges them. Judgment is not placed in their hands. They have poor judgment and put their lives in the hands of people who cannot be trusted.  The unrecognized will suffer the pain and agony of many cuts by the ones who judge, leaving them with lack of confidence and low self-esteem. This is a deficit for NLD and other exceptionalities. This can apply to the those with recognition.

It is very difficult for people to see themselves as having a problem or understanding the problems of others. It is twice as hard for them to express themselves.  They do not have the ability to recognize the unrecognizable.  NLD (Nonverbal Learning Disability) and many others fall into this category. A Neurological disorder with unintentional behaviors carries a distorted view through life’s window. These disorders cannot recognize the SHAME and GUILT due to a mass amount of confusion, frustration, anger, and ISOLATION. Those who have unique learning styles and extraordinary minds are ridiculed and rejected by others. They are not given the opportunity to become socially and emotionally competent.  WHY?  People feel it takes too long to teach them. There are too many accommodations needed to help them get from point A to B.  Many people feel the process is taking too long and they need results NOW. Once the behaviors cut loose for NLD, SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder) and anyone else that has an unrecognizable neurological disorder, it is all over for them. Just being unrecognized with no disorders is a problem. You are basically on your own. It is hard for people to understand the behavior or tolerate dealing with the behaviors of those who are not under the umbrella of the Autism Spectrum. Those who are recognized and under the Autism Spectrum includes Autism, Asperger, PDD-NOS, Rett Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorders. It is very difficult to deal with recognizable or unrecognizable behaviors when you are uneducated about them.

The psychological effect can take a toll on your life. Hiding, not knowing when it will all surface. How will you react?  My friends that have gone before me have left a message.  You are looking out of the window and your body gets too close to the edge, ask yourself which one is it. Is it your mind or your body that is too close? If it is your mind, look across the way and try to realize and recognize other people may have greater problems. If it is your body step back and remember the ones whose bodies were ridden with cancer and still fought to maintain what was left of their mind. This was their Quality of Life.  Before you sway too far out of the window and indulge in the thoughts of SUICIDE think about the SHAME, GUILT, and HUMILIATION you will place on your loved ones, your family, and your friends.  Think about it, get help, and save your life and others who love you. Don’t sink a ship.

The poem Rest Peaceful My Nubian Queen is dedicated to one of my great mentors. She taught me whenever it is time to go to the hospital always Remember that you can Remember. Always ask for a bed not by the window, but by the door. Look across the way and focus on the pain of another and your pain will diminish.

For those who are unrecognized, a chain of events will happen. You will struggle to gain respect and validation. It may take many years.  It has taken many years for the American Psychiatric Association to give NLD (Nonverbal Learning Disability) or SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder) any recognition. They have not done so to this date. TIME is a precious commodity. All  IN TIME.

To the President of the United States: You have been riding on the wave of a tsunami. You have looked across the way.  The words you spoke transmitted respect to the life of an infamous recognizable now laid to rest. It was a life. You held steadfast to your 3Ps and in my book, you will always be given Recognition.

To  Catherine-Zeta Jones: You are not alone. I’m proud you came forward. You have taken the first step for the rest of your life toward healing. The SHAME, GUILT, FEAR, and ISOLATION lies in the label of MENTAL ILLNESS. Far too long many people have been stereotyped and have been afraid to seek help. I have sat behind the chart for many years with my son who is now 22 years of age. It was his diagnosis that has given me the extensive knowledge in the field of the neurosciences. My son is a masterful educator and one of my greatest mentors. He struggles in his life but we address every aspect of his neuropsychological disorder which is brain-based. This is the mental aspect where there are deficits in areas of writing, math, abstract language, social communication skills and more.  I have sat behind another chart. I sign off on my tweets as NLD Mom/cancer survivor, if I don’t run out of space. I can talk about my breast cancer. This is a physical illness. I lost a breast but it saved my life.

This story is about saving lives and the choices we make to help save others. Today, many women can take another route to conserve their breast, just as long as they conserve their mind and life with their choice.  If I can talk about a physical illness then others should be able to talk about their mental illness with NO Shame In Their Game.  Always remember you ask for help, you wanted to learn, and you wanted to live and SURVIVE. Today I give RECOGNITION to the most stereotypical illness in the medical profession. MENTAL ILLNESS–Let’s talk and raise awareness for MENTAL HEALTH and SAVE LIVES. NLD Mom/cancer survivor

Got No Time To Be Disabled

by Linda Ballard

Scene:  Trevon, a young man going to school in the urban school district, has agreed to meet Smokelbg at an outside cafe for lunch.  Trevon talks about his life in the city. He tells how he views the educational system and what he thinks of being disabled.

Smokelbg:

Hey Trevon!  I’m glad you showed up. You had me worried. I thought you might have changed your mind.

Trevon: I’m always late. Three weeks ago I got fired from my job at Wendy’s. If I had been reading your blog, I could have told the old dude that I had a disability. Knowing him, he would fire me again. My mama says black folks are always late. They will be late for their own funeral. I would call it the haters-late disability.

Smokelbg:

Why would you call it that?

Trevon:

They’re mad and sitting there complaining about you being late. They didn’t get up and leave. That’s all they had to do.  All they want to do is run around and tell everybody you were late.  Hater!  Do you believe all that stuff you write?  Man, that’s a lot of stuff. I started not to go to your site.

Smokelbg:

Why? The deal was I tell your story and you read the blog.

Trevon:

It didn’t have nothing to do with the deal. The last time I got on a website it looked like a giant video game. I couldn’t follow what they wanted me to read. I started pushing buttons and then I couldn’t remember what the person wanted me to do. You think that is a disability too?  There is so much stuff written on your blog that sounds like what my friends, family, and my enemies all say.

Smokelbg:

Yes, it could have something to do with your attention span. You might get easily distracted.

Trevon:

It could have something to do with where I live. There is so much going on around me that I must have people watching my back. Yeah, you call them grand guardians. I like that name.

Smokelbg:

The purpose of the grand guardians is to make sure the person that is disabled doesn’t get taken advantage of.

Trevon:

Well, that wouldn’t be me. I will do them before they could do me. That is just the way it is done. Survival lady.

Smokelbg:

What about your enemies?

Trevon:

My enemies used to be my friends and now they are haters.

Smokelbg:

It doesn’t bother you to have these haters?

Trevon:

Too many people in your business can get you killed.

Smokelbg:

What are you doing that can cost you your life?

Trevon:

Who said you had to be doing anything?   Last month my friend was getting gas at a service station and he got shot at. I have gone to at least three to four funerals within two weeks time. You know where I stay? You can empty your garbage without thinking about it. I might be the one that is taken out for garbage.

Smokelbg:

What do you plan to do to after you graduate from school?

Trevon:

Hold up, who said I plan on graduating?  Back up for a minute. I got to find a job because my old girl( mom) is on my case about moving.  I will soon be turning 18 years old and she wants me up out of there.

Smokelbg:

What if you are not ready to be on your own? What if you needed added support?

Trevon:

It doesn’t matter, you gotta go.

Smokelbg:

Tell me how your day starts before you go to school?

Trevon:

Man, I got to listen to my old girl go off about the bills, how my daddy left her in a bind, and I was going to be just like my no-good daddy.  Aunt Martha, my dad’s sister, broke up the marriage between my dad and the old girl. How can somebody break up your marriage just because the sister doesn’t have anything to do with the old girl?   The old girl is a drama queen.  My dad was smart when he left. He got tired of hearing all that noise from the old girl. I will be glad to get up out of here. I can’t take too much more in this house.  All this takes place before I can even eat breakfast.

Smokelbg:

I take it that you and your mom don’t get along.

Trevon:

The old girl got some issues. Her whole family got some severe issues.   I would hate for something to happen to me. Just the thought of the old girl’s family getting any of my kids scares me to death.

Smokelbg:

Do you have any kids?

Trevon:

Noooo. I don’t want any.  I wouldn’t want to bring them up around here.

Smokelbg:

What’s your day like at school?

Trevon :

When I go to school,  it is social time. I mostly hang out. As soon as someone does something crazy, then it is black you are under attack time.

Smokelbg;

What does that mean?

Trevon

The school rounds up everyone who was in the area and goes through their list. You know I’m on the list for BD (behavior disorder). The funny thing is everybody has got a problem in the city. You call it a diagnosis. Man those words are tight.

I know I’m going to act up at some point. It’s too crowded in the classroom and they got me sitting too far back. I get angry when it is cut up time and I’m out.

Smokelbg:

Have you told your mom the problems you are having in school?  I’m sure she would want to come and talk to the teachers and help fix the problem.

Trevon:

You really believe your own stories. The old girl is the problem.  We don’t connect like that. Why do you think I work?  It sure is not to help pay bills. Ole girl is on that end.

Smokelbg:

Can you explain that to me? I’m not quite sure….. There are several things that come to my mind when you say that.

Trevon:

Well, in this neighborhood there is only one answer. She’s whacked and on crack. This is her way out of the neighborhood. Yeah, my mom as you call her(getting really upset). You know what,  I’m not going out like that. When old girl gets low it ain’t pretty.

Smokelbg:

Let me know if you want to finish another day.

Trevon:

You are not getting out of this. I had to read all those crazy stories and that was the deal… (lifts his head and smiles). I’m good, it’s okay. Whenever I talk about old girl it …..

Smokelbg:

Hey, you want some dessert?

Trevon:

Sure, you know you are paying. True Dat.

Smokelbg:

Which one of the stories do you like?

Trevon:

I like the football stories. I’m really into sports.  I like the Darlene Dyslexia story because I  kind of feel I do some of those things as far as reading and pronouncing my words that way. The St. Patrick’s Day story is it.  This is the neighborhood I live in. Catrina Schizo ain’t nobody but Aunt Jackie.  I love me some Aunt Jackie. She is out there.

Everybody in this neighborhood has got some kind of label.  Where did you get all those fancy doctors?  I’m lucky if I go to the dentist and get my teeth pulled. I never heard of no neuro…..whatever.  Stuff like that must cost a fortune.  See people in this neighborhood got to be on guard all the time. Those doctors don’t understand that we ain’t got no time to be disabled. As soon as we get disabled then we get taken out of the box. We look crazy to them because the people in this neighborhood know this is the only way of surviving. This is our way of keeping others out and protecting ourselves. We know who belongs and who don’t. It is time for  Trevon to shed this label because I want more.

I just wanted to tell you that you were not going to get any better education in the burbs than in the city. Remember, you are black and under attack and that’s whacked.

Smokelbg:

Trevon, I appreciate you for all of your time. This has been a true eye opener for me and I really learned a lot today. I sincerely want to see you make it and fulfill your dreams.

Trevon:

This ain’t no dream. This is Trevon coming at you live and raising the hell up out of here.

Smokelbg:

I was really concerned about Trevon and how he viewed being disabled, his school, and life.  Here is something that I found very interesting to help validate Trevons theories on labeling people.

Advisory Alert: Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General

Chapter 4 Adults and Mental Health: Schizophrenia

Overview:  Cultural Variation in this section 2nd paragraph it discusses clinicians misinterpretation and misdiagnosis of patients of diverse backgrounds. This is due to the norm of emotional expressions, social behavior, and cognitive style is address by professionals who are truly qualified to do so. See Chapter 2 and Center for Mental Health Services[CMHS], 1997. One finding is that African-American patients are more likely than whites to be diagnosed with severe psychotic disorders in clinical settings (Snowden & Cheung, 1990; Hu et al., 1991; Lawson et al., 1994, Strakowski et al., 1995)

The interpretation of the overdiagnosis of psychotic disorders among African-Americans is reviewed as clinician bias. Find out about other cultures. Go to http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/chapter4/sec4.html#course.