{"id":1116,"date":"2020-04-13T10:56:17","date_gmt":"2020-04-13T10:56:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/wordpress\/?page_id=1116"},"modified":"2022-03-21T07:05:35","modified_gmt":"2022-03-21T07:05:35","slug":"non-verbal-learning-disorder-nvld","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/vision-therapy-for-special-needs\/non-verbal-learning-disorder-nvld\/","title":{"rendered":"Vision and Non-Verbal Learning Disorder (NVLD)"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is Non-Verbal Learning Disorder (NVLD)?<\/b><\/h2>\n

NVLD can significantly impact a child’s life, however many eye doctors can provide the solution you are looking for.<\/b><\/p>\n

When we think of learning disorders, we tend to think of dyslexia and other disorders involving language, such as difficulties decoding language and learning to read.<\/p>\n

There is another, lesser-known type of learning disorder called non-verbal learning disorder, typically referred to as NVLD.<\/p>\n

Non-verbal learning disorder isn\u2019t an official diagnosis like ADHD or Autism (ASD)\u2014though many children who have non-verbal learning challenges usually present with those diagnoses\u2014 but experts say that focusing on NVLD, instead of ADHD or ASD, can help to explain certain behaviors and difficulties associated with NVLD.<\/p>\n

Examination of the functioning of a child\u2019s visual system may enable increased understanding of how to best help these children succeed academically.<\/b><\/p>\n

Recognizing NVLD patterns<\/b><\/h2>\n

There are five common areas in which children with NVLD may show weakness.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Visual and spatial awareness<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Many children with NVLD have trouble understanding visual imagery. For example, when they are asked to copy a shape like a cube, they produce profound distortions.<\/p>\n

    Children with NVLD also struggle to evaluate visual-spatial information, making it difficult to understand and recreate 3D shapes.<\/p>\n

    2. Higher-order comprehension<\/b><\/p>\n

    Higher-order comprehension is the ability to identify the main idea, the details that support the main idea, and the relationships among them. This affects reading comprehension, and the ability to write or tell a story effectively.<\/p>\n

    Difficulty with higher-order comprehension also affects the ability to take notes in class. Some children essentially write down everything the teacher says, because they are unable to decipher what is important.<\/p>\n

    Other children don\u2019t write anything down, or write down all of the unimportant information, because they are unable to decipher what is important.<\/p>\n

    3. Social communication<\/b><\/p>\n

    Most children with NVLD have trouble reading emotions in facial cues and body language, making it difficult to understand social interactions.<\/p>\n

    Social patterns are also difficult to understand, and can cause inappropriate behavior in social situations.<\/p>\n

    Social communication difficulties are a common cause of obsessive use of technology\u2014 communicating in chat rooms or playing video games, where nonverbal communication is unessential.<\/p>\n

    4. Math concepts<\/b><\/p>\n

    Many children with NVLD are good at rote learning, allowing them to\u00a0 succeed in math just by memorizing data. However, as they get older they struggle to solve more advanced mathematical problems that are based on recognizing concepts and patterns.<\/p>\n

    Even with a problem they\u2019ve seen before, if it\u2019s approached differently or modified slightly, it will be difficult for them to recognize it.<\/p>\n

    5. Executive functions<\/b><\/p>\n

    Executive functions are a set of skills we use to organize our thinking, plan and carry out actions, and figure out how to solve problems.<\/p>\n

    Most children with NVLD struggle with organizing and planning. For instance, breaking down a project into smaller steps, or understanding the steps that need to be taken to accomplish the project, will typically be challenging for these children.<\/p>\n

    If your child has NVLD, contact an eye doctor near you<\/a> that has experience managing children’s vision problems.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    SEE RELATED:<\/b> Vision and Sensory Processing Disorder\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t

    \n\t\t

    Find an eye doctor for children near you<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t
    \n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t