Non-Verbal Learning Disorder

Post Reply New Topic

Hello, I'm the father of a 9 year old girl with Non-Verbal Learning Disorder. I'm wanted to know if anyone here has been diagnosed with this particular ASD?

It's very similar to Aspergers, with a few exceptions. While many with Aspergers/Autism have no trouble with math, my daughter just does not get anything math-related very well. She's in 4th grade and still can't do simple addition in her head. She also has trouble with time. She seldom knows what day it is, can't really tell you what tomorrow is going to be, and sometimes will ask if she has school today in the middle of the day on Saturday. Her short term memory (a few days or weeks) seems to get very confused, but she remembers things that happened years ago with amazing clarity.

She doesn't have the razor-sharp interest focus that some Aspie's have, but she does love to spend time organizing her things.. (stuffed animals, rock collection, lincoln log houses).

She uses what I call "snippets" in her speech. Little bits of phrases that sound like they have no business coming out of the mouth of a 9 year old kid.

She toe-walks, which could also be attributed to her mild Cerebral Palsy, but I've also heard that this can be an AS trait. Sometimes you just don't know where these things come from.

She also has been having a really difficult time recently with socializing at school, and sadly, it seems to be getting worse every year, as the kids get older, they seem to get more cruel, esp. the other girls.. She's just the kind of kid, so desparate sometimes to find a friend, that she'll fall for the same tricks over and over.. then when *she* lashes out in frustration, it's her fault. Instead of trying to educate the others, they put this all on her. As if she doesn't have enough to worry about!

We fear that Jr. High (in a few years) might be too much to handle for her and have been looking into other options, though the options in our area that we can afford are limited.

I was just wondering if anyone has any experience with this disorder. I know her particular place on the spectrum isn't exactly the same as anyone elses, maybe you recognize some of the issues listed above in yourself or someone you know.

Thanks,
mjj

I was pretty horrible at maths, telling the time and naming the days of the week in order. I remember I finally remembered the months of the year when I learnt the song.
Have you tried using flash cards. I had them to help me remember words and with multiplication. It took me a really long time to tell the time. I just always had a digital watch to make things easier.
Is homeschooling an option? I used to think that ruined my chances at social skills, but I have none anyway.
Some people just aren't good at it. Has she got any hobbies? Maybe she could put her focus in them instead of wanting to socialise.
I was the quiet one in school. I didn't mind that I played alone at recess.

I have NLD and AS. My first diagnosis was NLD until a neuropsychiatrist looked deeper than that.

time telling is hard. I was 16 before I learned.

I have problems whit math and writing

I'd also post on the Parents Discussion subforum.

I have been diagnosed with both Asperger's and Nonverbal Learning Disorder. I was diagnosed with AS first; I was diagnosed with NVLD two years after. I don't often say that I have NVLD, unless people ask me about learning problems associated with AS. It's because AS better describes me and my personality. Special interests aren't associated with NVLD, and that's my strongest Aspie trait! Also, I've been able to overcome some of my NVLD deficits (I've been able to teach myself some visual-spatial tasks, even though my mathematical/visual-spatial abilities are still very poor), but my AS never goes away.
-OddDuckNash99-

Look into purchasing the book Making Sense of Children's Thinking and Behavior. My son is now age 13 and was diagnosed at age 10 with NLD. I also stuggle with obtianing the correct intervention for my son. This book will give you some great insight to why your daughter might be having difficulties relating to her peers. It should help both you and the school have a much clearer understanding of how they see the world. The only way to help these wonderful children is to understand them. I highly recommend reading it. Good luck!

I guess my symptoms weren't strong enough for my mother to seek a diagnosis for me. I so wish I'd have been cut some slack for my NLD rather than being raised as "the evil one".