Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD)
NLD is a neurological disorder which originates in the right hemisphere of the brain. NLD includes a number of specific symptoms. Rourke (1995) has organized these into three primary areas: neuropsychological deficits, academic deficits, and social-emotional/adaptational deficits.
Neuropsychological deficits include difficulties with tactile and visual perception, psychomotor coordination, tactile and visual attention, nonverbal memory, reasoning, executive functions, and specific aspects of speech and language.
Some of the symptoms identified with NLD are similar to those described for other disorders. Individuals with right hemisphere dysfunction, Asperger’s syndrome, and sensorimotor deficiencies each possess a number of characteristics that overlap with those of a NLD. An evaluation can often assist in differential diagnosis.
The syndrome of Nonverbal Learning Disorders (NLD) consists of specific assets and deficits.
The assets include:
The three categories of deficits are:
Neuropsychological deficits include difficulties with tactile and visual perception, psychomotor coordination, tactile and visual attention, nonverbal memory, reasoning, executive functions, and specific aspects of speech and language.
- Deficits in mathematical reasoning, math calculations, reading comprehension, specific aspects of written language, and handwriting are primary academic concerns.
- Deficits in social expertise include problems with social cognition and perception as well as difficulties in social interaction.
Some of the symptoms identified with NLD are similar to those described for other disorders. Individuals with right hemisphere dysfunction, Asperger’s syndrome, and sensorimotor deficiencies each possess a number of characteristics that overlap with those of a NLD. An evaluation can often assist in differential diagnosis.
The syndrome of Nonverbal Learning Disorders (NLD) consists of specific assets and deficits.
The assets include:
- Early speech and vocabulary development
- Remarkable rote memory skills
- Attention to detail
- Early development of reading skills and excellent spelling skills
- Eloquent verbal ability
- Strong auditory retention
The three categories of deficits are:
- Motoric: lack of coordination, problems with balance and graphomotor skills
- Visual-spatial-organizational: lack of image, poor visual recall, faulty spatial perception, and difficulty with spatial relations
- Social: inability to comprehend nonverbal communication, difficulty adjusting to transitions and novel situations, and deficits in social judgment
Rourke, B. P. (1994). Neuropsychological Assessment of Children with Learning Disabilities: Measurement Issues. In G. Reid Lyons (ed.), Frames of Reference for the Assessment of Learning Disabilities: New Views on Measurement Issues. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brooks.