More About NLD

NLD is not a “cookie cutter” disability.  It differs between each person, and does not stay the same from childhood to adulthood. Text on NLD is not to cure it by any means, but to simplify the description of the difficulties faced by individuals with the disorder, illustrate how it may present in everyday activities, and outline strategies which could be beneficial.  Much to my surprised I was fascinated to read children with NLD not always are nonverbal, but can actually talk and something talk your ear off.  This disability affects multiple domains, and children have trouble both academically and in life skills. 

I started reading Nonverbal Learning Disabilities at Home: A Parent’s Guide, and the beginning chapter’s mentions more about what NLD is.  As I mentioned above those who have NLD differs between each person.  In the text it lists some strength and weaknesses people with NLD have.  Some of primary strengths of children with NLD are they are auditory and verbal.  The children usually have a more sophisticated vocabulary than of their peers, and they have great attention and memory of what they hear.  Some of the weaknesses are their social skills.   Much of their physical coordination is awkward, they do not like change in their routine, and unless questions are direct and to the point they are often confused on how to respond.

I’ve had a misconception of what the term NLD meant, because of the student in my classroom who is considered nonverbal.   He can only speak about five words, so when I thought about a child being nonverbal I wouldn’t have thought the child to be able to speak much.  I’m not sure if it makes a difference between this child has Down Syndrome as well.  I wonder how many cases where there are children who do speak a lot, and then they are children who can only say a few words like the boy who was at my placement.  Next blog I would like to talk about what causes NLD and interventions.