Does your child sometimes have a little trouble understanding things that other children understand easily? Or does it take longer than others to do some simple tasks, such as tying shoelaces or learning to ride a bike? Maybe there's something behind these things that we don't really know. Today we're going to talk about one such condition, Nonverbal Learning Disability (NVLD) .
What is nonverbal learning disability (NVLD)?
Simply put, NVLD (Nonverbal Learning Disability) is a condition that affects your child's ability to understand and use what they see, that is, visual information and spatial information. In this case, the child has a little difficulty understanding the physical objects around them, or understanding the relationships between objects in a certain space. Sometimes, these children may also have a challenge in mentally imagining a concept, or solving problems that need to be solved in their mind. Imagine, when your child catches a ball in front of him, or when a friend looks at him in surprise, the brain needs a small signal to understand that expression and respond appropriately.
What are visuospatial skills?
Doctors call this visuospatial skills . While it may sound like a fancy word, it simply means that your child’s brain is able to process whatever it sees at any given moment – whether it’s a ball coming towards them or a friend’s surprised face – and know what to do in response. For example, depth perception and hand-eye coordination are specific aspects of these visuospatial skills.
If your child has NVLD, their brain has trouble understanding what they're seeing and how to process it. This can cause challenges in many areas of their life – from schoolwork to socializing with friends. But with the right treatment and support, the condition can be managed.
NVLD is also known as developmental visuospatial disorder . Some researchers believe this name more accurately describes the condition. It is sometimes called "nonverbal learning disorder" instead of "disability," but these are the same condition.
What are the symptoms of a child with NVLD?
These visuospatial difficulties are the main features of NVLD. But the ability to deal with what you see is fundamental to many of the things your child wants or needs to do. This includes learning, socializing with peers, playing, and getting from one place to another.
This means that your child may exhibit a variety of seemingly unrelated symptoms. For example:
- Difficulty solving complex math problems.
- Difficulty in social interaction.
- Clumsiness or clumsiness on the playground.
This difficulty in understanding visual objects in space and time can affect various aspects of a child's life that may seem unrelated.
Your child may have difficulty with some of the following tasks:
- Tying shoelaces.
- Learning to ride a bike.
- Cutting shapes with scissors.
- Making puzzles.
- Finding the right path in a maze.
- Catching or throwing a ball.
- Remembering something you saw and re-drawing it.
- To imagine what something would look like if viewed from a different angle.
- Finding your way by looking at a map.
- Doing geometry, or understanding fractions.
- Understanding facial expressions or body language.
- Understanding metaphorical language.
- Breaking a big task into small parts and getting it done.
Keep in mind, this list is not exhaustive, but it includes some of the characteristics that researchers have identified.
Some studies show that children with NVLD typically have average or above-average verbal skills . This means they are good at speaking and reading. But more research is needed to know for sure whether this is actually a feature of NVLD.
What are the causes of NVLD?
Researchers still don't know exactly what causes NVLD, but they believe it's caused by changes in brain structure and/or function. That means NVLD is a neurodevelopmental disorder , or a condition that affects the way your child's brain works.
As research continues, we will learn more about this. Some studies take images of the brains of people with and without NVLD and look for similarities and differences. Other studies compare people with NVLD with people with other neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism or ADHD . Researchers want to learn about the common features of these conditions, as well as the causes and other aspects that are unique to NVLD.
How is NVLD diagnosed?
Doctors diagnose NVLD by talking to you about your child. They will ask what your child is struggling with, what you have observed, and when you first noticed these symptoms. With your permission, doctors may also talk to your child, their teachers, or other people.
There are no set criteria for diagnosing NVLD. That's because NVLD is not an official diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) , the book doctors use to identify neurodevelopmental and mental health disorders. It's possible that the condition will be included in future editions of the DSM. It takes experts a long time and many steps to add a condition to the DSM.
Although NVLD is not yet an official medical diagnosis, doctors will determine if your child fits the "NVLD profile." This means that if your child has the characteristics of the condition and would benefit from the necessary resources and support, doctors will consider it.
Is there a connection with other conditions? (Co-occurring conditions)
Doctors may also look for signs of other neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism , specific learning disorders, or ADHD . This is because some children with NVLD may have one or more of these co-occurring conditions.
Your child's doctor will tell you exactly how they will make a diagnosis (or rule out a condition). Doctors will usually observe your child while they are playing or doing other simple tasks. They may also do things like talk to your child and play with them. You will be involved in each step, and what you know about your child will help guide the process.
Is NVLD part of the autism spectrum?
No, NVLD is not the same as autism or part of the autism spectrum. NVLD is a separate condition defined by challenges with visual and spatial information. However, some children with autism may also have NVLD.
How is NVLD treated?
Doctors will tailor treatment to your child's needs. They may recommend some treatments, such as occupational therapy, to help your child manage daily tasks. Social skills groups can help your child learn how to interact with peers and understand facial expressions and body language.
Also, if there are other co-occurring conditions, doctors may recommend treatments or therapies to help. These will depend on your child's diagnosis and their individual needs.
What will the future be like for children with NVLD?
Your child's future depends on the severity of their visual impairment and any co-occurring conditions. There are treatments and resources available to help your child manage these brain changes and make the most of their strengths. Your pediatrician can tell you more about what's best for your child and what to expect. They can also point you to support communities where you can connect with parents of children with NVLD and/or adults with NVLD.
Nonverbal Learning Disability , or developmental visuospatial disorder, is a growing area of research. We continue to learn more about NVLD and ways to help children and adults with this condition.
When should I seek medical advice about my child?
Talk to your pediatrician anytime you have a question or concern about your child's development or anything related to their well-being. Also, be sure to take your child to all of their routine well-checks . These tests are what allow doctors to identify any developmental delays or disabilities and recommend ways to help your child.
What questions should I ask the doctor?
You can learn more by asking your pediatrician questions like these:
- What can you tell me about Nonverbal Learning Disability?
- What signs should I look out for in my child?
- What do you need to do to get a diagnosis of NVLD?
- How should I support my child's needs?
- What treatments and resources do you recommend?
Nonverbal learning disabilities can affect many aspects of your child's life. Often, they affect them in ways that the child cannot explain. When a child withdraws from an activity or suddenly drops in grades, it can be difficult to know what's going on inside their mind.
Child development is a complex, dynamic process. There can be many reasons for these changes. But if your child seems to be struggling with visual tasks, NVLD could be one explanation. Your pediatrician can tell you more about this and help you understand the resources available to meet your child's needs.
The most important thing we want to take home from this story (Take-Home Message)
Okay, so let's recall some of the most important points from what we've talked about:
- NVLD is a condition that affects a child's ability to understand visual objects and space. It does not affect verbal communication .
- This can cause difficulties with everything from tying shoelaces to understanding the facial expressions of friends.
- This is not autism , but it can sometimes coexist with autism.
- Although the exact cause is unknown, it is thought to be related to changes in brain function .
- With proper identification and support (e.g. occupational therapy), the child can be helped to live well.
- If you have any doubts or concerns about your child, definitely see a pediatrician . The earlier you identify something, the easier it is to help.
Don't worry, you're not alone. The first step is to be aware of these situations.
` NVLD, learning disabilities, visual spatial skills, child development, neurodevelopmental disorders, parenting advice, child health
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න