Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NVLD)

What it is:
Nonverbal Learning Disorder is a condition where students have strong verbal skills but struggle with visual-spatial tasks, body language, and understanding nonverbal cues. They may read and memorise facts well but find it challenging to interpret maps, graphs, or social signals.

What to look out for:
Signs include difficulties with handwriting, poor coordination, clumsiness in sports, trouble understanding charts or diagrams, and challenges in recognising sarcasm or facial expressions. A student with NVLD might take things very literally and miss “unspoken rules.”

Real-life example:
In a science class, when asked to interpret a graph showing temperature changes over time, a student gets confused and can’t explain the trend, even though they can clearly describe the experiment in words. In social settings, they may not realize when a peer is joking or being sarcastic, leading to awkward moments.

How it affects learning:
Subjects that rely heavily on visual information (geometry, physics, geography) can be frustrating. Socially, misunderstandings may cause isolation or teasing. Group projects that require interpreting nonverbal communication or diagrams are especially difficult.

Best learning strategies:

• Emphasize verbal explanations alongside visuals.

• Teach graph and chart interpretation step by step.

• Offer extra support with spatial tasks like geometry.

• Provide explicit instruction in social skills and nonverbal cues.

• Encourage strengths in verbal reasoning, storytelling, or factual knowledge