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FYI on NLD: Facts on Non-verbal Learning Disability

A major learning disability that often goes undiagnosed or noticed is Nonverbal Learning Disorder. Most suffers of this disability do so in silence and to no one’s notice. These children are of normal to above normal in intelligence and may be thought of as gifted. They have a very mature vocabulary, seeming reading ability, and have great memorizing skills through repetition. However, most parents notice something is not right very early on. Around preschool age, the parents might notice their child has a difficulty interacting with other children. They tend to be quite clumsy and need a lot of help with self-help skills.

These children don’t seem to adapt well and have many other problems that can be concerning, but not necessarily alarming. These children clumsily bump along in their early elementary school years. They do academically pretty well except when their fine motor skill difficulties get in their way. They might not understand what to do with math symbols, even the easy addition and subtraction signs. They usually aren’t even looked at as having a possible disability until the previous or other subtle symptoms derail them and are finally noticed.

During the upper portion of the elementary grades and in middle school, these children are assuming more tasks on their own. This is usually the beginning of the end, and they quickly deteriorate. They tend to forget about homework and get lost on their own. They always appear unprepared for class and have a hard time following directions, even at their simplest. These children will struggle with math, cannot write an easy essay, and usually cannot even read their social studies book. They are constantly misunderstood by their teachers and peers and tend to be very anxious in public and angry at home. Children who suffer from nonverbal learning disorder are accuse and considered rude, uncooperative, and lazy. These are not true statements about these children. In fact, they usually are hardworking, goal driven, persistent, and very honest. They are plagued with a learning disability that often goes unnoticed or ignored.

If a child is still not diagnosed by the time they reach their high school years, these children will become extremely overwhelmed by the academic, social, and emotional demands. They can become reclusive and depressed and possibly suicidal. As classes become more and more relaxed and rely on the student to do the work on his or her own time, the child gets further lost and lags behind. At this point, the child may become so frustrated that they quit school or get in trouble constantly for their angry outbursts. The will appear to be troubled teens verses a person with a learning disability. Once they have gotten into high school they may not have the skills from the lower grades to even pass the courses and end up repeating years. They might even be put in remedial classes with out need they do not lack intelligence. The lack the ability to process any other forms of communication other than verbal communication, which they excel at from a very early age.

There are plenty of techniques to avoid problems at an early age and even after a later diagnosis. To prevent tardiness or the child getting lost, a teacher or peer can verbally guide the student to and from locations. Having a peer buddy to help the child is always good, too. Make sure the other child enjoys doing it and can be patient and compassionate. If the child is late don’t punish them, it isn’t their fault. Help the child by practicing how to get around and give verbal markers for the child to locate. Because these children have a difficult time with change and transition, make sure to provide a consistent and predictable routine.

Make sure to verbalize many times and in advance when transitions have to happen so the child is prepared. Written schedules also help for constant reminder during the early grades and beyond. The child will be able to know exactly what will happen and when. These children have difficulty retaining previously learned material. Make sure to bridge new and old material verbally to help the child pull together the old concepts with the new. It is very important to verbally communication all needs to the child and answer all their questions to make sure they completely understand. These children can excel through school with a little help and compassion.