Nonverbal learning disorder facts for kids

A Nonverbal Learning Disorder (or NVLD) is a way a person's brain works differently. It can make it harder for someone to understand things that aren't spoken, like body language or how to solve problems that don't involve words. People with NVLD might also find it tricky to understand jokes or remember things by just repeating them over and over.

What is Nonverbal Learning Disorder?

NVLD is a neurological difference, meaning it has to do with how the brain is wired. It can affect many areas of a person's life, including their social skills, how they move (motor skills), and even how they use words.

How NVLD Affects People

People with NVLD often have challenges in several areas:

• Non-verbal problem solving: This means finding solutions to problems that don't involve words, like figuring out how to put a puzzle together or understanding a map.
• Understanding humor: Jokes and sarcasm can be hard to grasp because they often rely on unspoken cues or different meanings of words.
• Rote learning: While they might be good at remembering facts by repeating them, they might struggle with understanding the bigger picture or how different pieces of information connect.
• Motor skills: Activities like tying shoelaces, riding a bike, or even writing neatly can sometimes be more difficult.
• Social skills: Reading facial expressions, understanding body language, or knowing how to act in different social situations can be a challenge. For example, using an analog clock to tell time can be difficult for people with NVLD.

NVLD and Other Conditions

NVLD is sometimes connected to autism spectrum disorders, especially autism or Asperger's syndrome. Many people with these conditions show signs of NVLD. It can also be linked to feelings of sadness and anxiety, which is when someone feels very worried or nervous a lot of the time.

How Common is NVLD?

About 1 out of every 10 children who have learning disabilities also have nonverbal learning disabilities. This means it's a condition that affects many young people.

Images for kids

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  Using an analog clock to tell time is difficult for people with symptoms of NVLD.

See also

In Spanish: Trastorno de aprendizaje no verbal para niños