GENERAL ISSUES
What are the main components of Non-verbal Learning Difficulties (NvLD)?

This is a complex and relatively new diagnostic category in England. If you are at all unsure of your child’s current diagnosis, call Learning Insights or go the CONTACT PAGE.

At Learning Insights Nonverbal Learning Difficulties (NvLD) can be associated with behaviour problems or ‘emotional problems’, where individuals respond with unexpected or inappropriate conduct. NvLD reveals itself in impaired abilities to organise the visual spatial field, adapt to new or novel situations, and/or accurately read non-verbal signs and cues. Students particularly have problems ‘producing’ in situations where speed and adaptability are concerned. NvLD is known to be neurological rather than genetic, deliberate or emotional in origin. Some of the areas of difficulty include Motor - lack of co-ordination, severe balance problems and/or difficulties with fine graphomotor skills; Visual-spatial organization - lack of image, poor visual recall, faulty spatial perceptions, and /or difficulties with spatial relations, and; Social - lack of ability to comprehend non-verbal communication, difficulties adjusting to transitions, novel situations and significant deficits in social judgment and social interactions.

Non-verbal Learning Difficulties (NvLD) can show as difficulties with:

• Tactile and visual perception
• Psychomotor coordination
• Tactile and visual attention
• Nonverbal memory
• Aspects of reasoning
• Decision making
• Specific aspects of speech and language

Attainment wise deficits occur in;

• Math calculations
• Mathematical reasoning
• Reading comprehension
• Specific aspects of written language
• Handwriting

Social deficits include;

• Problems with social perception and social interaction
• Increased risk for internalising anxiety
• Low self esteem and low self worth
• Social interaction/communication
  pragmatics of speech can be effected
• pitch
• volume

intonation contour
other prosodic features
Rourke, Byron P. (Ed.), (1995), Syndrome of Nonverbal Learning Disabilities: Neurodevelopmental Manifestations, NY: The Guilford Press.
Tanguay P. (2001) Nonverbal learning difficulties at home: a parents guide
Stewart K. (2002) Helping a child with Nonverbal learning disorder or Asperger’s syndrome. JKP

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