Nonverbal learning disability is not at all what it sounds like. It is a combination of learning, academic, social and emotional issues. Most children diagnosed with learning disabilities do not suffer social and emotional development problems. Those that do struggle with social issues can typically tie them to the self-esteem problems that accompany learning disabilities.
Non verbal disabilities are the spatial and abstract ones that require thinking ordinately, putting things in order or using clues from one problem to solve another. Typically NVLD students are bright and have learned to overcome their disability over time. NVLD students are normally quick to ask an adult about an object, situation or problem before tackling it themselves.
The causes are unknown but scientists know that failures in the right brain are related to the problem. The left brain controls the step-by-step logic and statistical problems, while the right brain handles situational analysis, deduction and abstract thinking. Problems like “what comes next in this sequence, what’s this object look like rotated and how are these objects related cause problems for left-brain thinkers.
The solution to NVLD is understanding that you have it. Knowing how the problem arises and under what conditions the brain gets foggy will put the student light years ahead of the problem. Knowing that long math problems cause issues would give power to the student. Then when “long math problems” arise, they can be more confident in how to break the problem into smaller, more right-brain parts.
Like dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia, nonverbal learning disorder is not a disease. It is not something held by the lazy or sensory challenged. A learning disability is so named because traditional educators did the naming. A learning disability is merely a mindset not designed to process information the way schools typically present it. That’s it.
Learn more about nonverbal learning disabilities. Stop by Linda Silbert’s site where you can find out all about learning disabilities types and what the Silberts can do for your child. Call them (845-628-7910) so they can help you get through this process. You don’t have to be alone.
