NONVERBAL LEARNING DISORDER ASSOCIATION  (www.nlda.org) defines NLD as a neurological disorder involving specific weaknesses or deficits in the right hemisphere of the brain. Characteristic left hemisphere strengths noted in NLD include:

ü      Significantly Higher Verbal IQ

ü      Early Speech And Vocabulary Development

ü      Remarkable Rote Memory Skills

ü      Attention To Detail

ü      Early Reading Skills Development

ü      Excellent Spelling Skills

ü      Strong Verbal Expression

ü      Strong Auditory Retention

 

Characteristic right-hemisphere deficits noted in NLD manifest in four major areas:

 

Fine & Gross Motor Development:

 

ü      Physically Awkward

ü      Significant Lack Of Coordination

ü      Severe Balance Problems

ü      Difficulties With Fine Motor Skills (drawing, cutting, tying, writing)

 

Visual-Motor/Spatial & Organization Skills: 

 

ü      Significant difficulty processing visual images

ü      Poor Visual Recall

ü      Difficulties With Visual Spatial Relations

ü      Difficulties With Executive Functioning (Decision Making, Sequencing, Emotional Regulation, Problem Solving, Impulse Control, Predicting And Monitoring Results Of Action, Self-Correction)

 

Social Skills:

 

ü      Poor Comprehension Of Nonverbal Communication (body language, facial expressions)

ü      Difficulties Adjusting To Changes And New Situations

ü      Significant Difficulties In Social Judgment And Interaction

ü      Socially Intrusive And Isolated

ü      Tendency For Excessive Speech (Narrating Thoughts Aloud, Sharing Personal Information, Repeating Details)

 

Sensory Integration Skills:

ü      Significant Difficulty With Processing Information From Any Of The Sensory Modalities: Sight, Hearing, Touch, Taste, Smell, or Balance