NLD, Managing Finances, and Executive Functioning
Managing finances is one of the biggest challenges for many people with Nonverbal Learning Disability (NLD). Executive functioning skills—like planning, tracking, comprehending the big picture, and learning from mistakes—are often directly tied to financial management. When you combine abstract concepts, math skills, and the stress of budgeting, it can feel overwhelming.
This chapter explores my personal experiences with finances and NLD, along with insights from others in the neurodivergent community. While my story is rooted in NLD, the lessons here apply to people with autism, ADHD, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyslexia, and even to those who are neurotypical but struggle with money management.
My Journey with Money and NLD
Even today, I face challenges in balancing my budget. Each month, I sit down with my mom to go through my expenses. It isn’t easy because NLD makes it difficult to grasp abstract financial steps, such as understanding how different transactions fit into the “big picture” of a budget. On top of that, my chronic migraines make focusing and processing information harder.
In high school, my parents gave me both a debit card and a credit card so I could practice paying bills and tracking my purchases. At the time, none of us knew I had NLD—I wasn’t diagnosed until college. Looking back, I realize that early practice helped me start building financial skills, even if I didn’t fully understand what I was doing.
I also took a personal finance class in college on my brother’s recommendation. That course gave me my first real grasp of budgeting, credit cards, and financial planning. But honestly, it wasn’t until I started living with bills—like my credit card balance—that the lessons began to sink in.
My mom continues to play a huge role in helping me. She patiently explains abstract concepts over and over, rephrasing them until I understand. Sometimes we both get frustrated, but her goal is always to help me become independent. She encourages me to live within the categories we set—like $225 for expenses each month—and to track purchases on my phone. When I forget to update my check register, it creates setbacks. But when I do it well, I know I’m meeting her halfway and showing her respect for the time she’s invested in helping me.
One small win recently was when I bought a new computer for about $3,000. I noted which credit card it was on so I wouldn’t forget, and I used the card with the highest credit limit to avoid going over. That kind of decision-making—thinking ahead, considering limits, and tracking my choices—shows me that I’m slowly improving.
Learning from Others in the NLD Community
I don’t want this chapter to just be about me, so let’s look at some perspectives from other people with NLD and related learning challenges.
Budgeting During the Pandemic
Brian, a fellow NVLDer, wrote an article called “Budgeting as an NVLDer during the Pandemic” (February 5, 2020). He followed Dave Ramsey’s seven-step plan and was able to pay off debt, build an emergency fund, and invest for retirement.
The steps included:
Save $1,000.
Pay off small debts first, then bigger ones.
Save 3–6 months of emergency funds.
Invest 15% of income for retirement.
Use savings for education.
Pay off a mortgage.
Build wealth and give back.
Brian’s story is powerful because it shows how financial literacy can bring freedom, even in difficult times. His persistence in following a clear plan is something I try to model in my way.
Financial Challenges for Neurodivergent People
Another article, “Supporting Neurodivergent People and Personal Finance” by Laura Longurio, reviewed by Mara Horton, highlights how widespread these challenges are.
Some key statistics stood out to me:
1 in 5 people in the U.S. live with a neurological disability.
Only 46% of working-age adults with learning disabilities are employed.
62% of employees with disabilities have invisible ones, which they often don’t disclose at work.
Young adults with developmental language disorder are far more likely to rely on parents for financial help.
The article also explained how conditions like dyscalculia or dyslexia can make budgeting, loans, and interest rates extremely difficult to understand. Many neurodivergent adults struggle with functional financial literacy, which increases the risk of debt, fraud, and financial dependence.
I relate to that deeply. Like many others, I’ve had to lean on my family for financial help and explanations. Without support, I could easily make costly mistakes simply because of the abstract math and executive functioning demands.
Teaching Money Skills for Independence
The final article I want to share is “How to Teach Money Management for Independent Living with Autism” by Maureen Bennie (2017). Her tips are simple but powerful:
Have your child pay at the store. This teaches real-world money handling.
Give them an allowance. Let them save for something meaningful to them.
Set up a bank account early. Allow them to learn how it works both in-person and online.
These steps reminded me of what my parents did with me—starting small with debit cards and simple transactions before I ever knew I had NLD. That early practice made the later lessons easier to understand, even though I still need support today.
Moving Forward
Managing finances with NLD—or any learning difference—is not easy. It requires patience, practice, and support. I’ve learned that progress comes in small steps: updating my check register more often, noting where big purchases go, and sticking to budget categories.
If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. The challenges are real, but so are the victories. Whether it’s saving for a new computer, paying off a debt, or simply remembering to track your spending, each success builds independence.
As I close this chapter, I encourage you to try one small step this month: maybe set up a new budget category, start an emergency savings fund, or practice paying for something yourself. Over time, those small habits can grow into financial confidence.
