Non verbal learning disability (NVLD)
A non verbal learning disability is characterised by deficits in visual-spatial organisational, tactile perceptual, psychomotor and non verbal problem solving skills.
A child with a NVLD has a distinctive pattern of strengths and weaknesses that include the following:
- Good skills in rote verbal learning, regular phoneme-grapheme (sound-letter) matching, verbal expression (speaking) and verbal classification
- Difficulties in basic arithmetical calculations while exhibiting advanced levels of word recognition and spelling
- Difficulties with communication as well as language problems
- Difficulties with interpretation of social exchanges (requiring comprehension of situations in context), negatively affecting social skills.
- When academic and social demands become more abstract and complex, children experience significant difficulties.
Treatment:
It is important that a full assessment is done by an educational psychologist to ascertain a the child’s pattern of strengths and weaknesses (learning profile). This will allow an individualised therapuetic plan to be implemented.