ALTERNATIVE LEARNERS

Nonverbal Learning Disabilities

The term Nonverbal Learning Disability, while not officially recognized in the DSM-IV, is frequently used to describe a group of youngsters who experience difficulties with academic, social/emotional, and visual spatial abilities that have a significant impact upon their performance at home and school.  These children generally display excellent vocabulary, verbal expression, and rote memory skills.  Their auditory skills are often quite good, and they tend to be able to repeat what they have heard. 

Difficulties in social relationships, particularly where they need to pay attention to nonverbal cues, are noteworthy.  They may struggle in generalizing information that they have learned in one place to another, particularly if they have not been told (verbally) to do so.  Physical awkwardness and problems with fine and gross motor concerns are observed.  While they have an excellent vocabulary, they may tend to interpret what they hear literally and have difficulties in paying attention to nonverbal communication such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice.  They tend to lack common sense and often appear to be naïve.  They frequently experience low self-esteem and may become withdrawn as they move into their teenage years.

In many settings, these individuals can be somewhat inflexible and have difficulty in shifting behaviors from what they have used in the past.  They frequently struggle with organization, as they have difficulty in understanding the “big picture.”  Social thinking skills are often limited, and these children often experience adversity in keeping friends.  Difficulties with regulating one’s emotions and Anxiety Disorders are often seen in teenagers with Nonverbal Learning Disabilities.

Traditional strategies utilize the children’s verbal strengths.  For example, explaining in detail and preparing children for involvement in novel situations are indicated.  Physical and occupational therapy may be helpful with some of the visual motor concerns that are seen in these youngsters.  Providing them with strategies to help them keep organized and have things “lined up” can also be useful.  Social skills strategies in which they are paired with a classroom buddy or involved in a social skills group may also be beneficial.

Digital technologies to enhance social thinking skills may be helpful for youngsters with Nonverbal Learning Disabilities.  The use of digital cameras or digital video cameras with the child as both the videographer and the subject of the video may assist in his/her ability to observe, review, and discuss social situations.  Involvement in massive multiplayer online games may also be useful if parents insist that the child do so with peers whom they see on a regular, face-to-face basis at school, so they are able to discuss their game playing together.  The use of digital games that require organization and sequencing may also be supportive practice for these children who have difficulties in seeing the big picture.

Digital Technologies and Strategies:

Nonverbal Learning Disabilities Digital Technology List

• Rock Band (played with other people)
• Massive Multiplayer Online Games (played with family members or peers with whom   they have communication outside of the game)
• MySpace (with supervision)
• Facebook (with supervision)
• Instant Messaging, Text Messaging, and E-mail (with training and supervision)
• Digital Video Cameras
• Digital Cameras