Children with nonverbal learning disorders may have problems with:
- Interpreting the visual spatial field
- Adapting or adjusting to new situations
- Understanding and reading nonverbal signals
Nonverbal learning disabilities are not as common as language based learning disabilities, such as dyslexia. Young children with nonverbal learning disorders may seem uncoordinated or clumsy, often falling or bumping into objects because of the difficulty of interpreting spatial relationships.
In addition, children with nonverbal learning disorders may have problems understanding unspoken cues. They miss cues provided by body language, facial expressions and tone of voice. The misinterpretation of these nonverbal cues can lead to serious social problems and inappropriate behaviors in children.
Many children with ADHD overly develop verbal skills to compensate. They have highly developed memory skills for rote and may learn to read early because of that.
References:
“Dyslexia Basics”, 2007, International Dyslexia Association
“Dyscalculia”, 2006, National Center for Learning Disabilities
“What is Dysgraphia”, 2006, National Center for Learning Disabilities
“Visual and Auditory Processing Disorders” 1999, National Center for Learning Disabilities