Assesing nld in adults

Could your social anxiety, lack of humor, and stubborn schedules suggest a nonverbal learning disorder NLD? Take this quick self-test to better understand the symptoms of NLD vs. Created from criteria from the Learning Disabilities Association of America. If you think you may be struggling with NLD, seek a diagnosis as soon as possible.

The typical school campus offers a complex, constantly changing and often unpredictable milieu. Students are required to cope with multiple stimuli, varying behavioral expectations, and complex social interactions, as well as the academic tasks presented to them on any given day. They are expected to know how to behave appropriately in a myriad of situations. Such exacting conditions can pose a challenge for any student, but for the child with nonverbal learning disorders NLD these demands can prove to be totally overwhelming and may appear insurmountable at times. Unless the entire school staff is conscious of the unique neurobehavioral characteristics which impede the student with NLD, and seeks to provide appropriate intervention strategies, this student will be destined to fail in school. An appropriate educational program for the student with NLD must take into account the assets this student processes and build upon these strengths to assure a successful outcome.

Byron Rourke, the psychologist who has basically put NLD "on the map" which, by the way, is a phrase that many people with NLD would have trouble understanding , recommends an extensive neuropsychological assessment to examine the profile of neuropsychological assets and deficits of NLD. As with all conditions or LDs, NLD can be quite difficult to diagnose, and in many cases a more comprehensive neuropsychological assessment is necessary. However, in many children with NLD a combination of a psychoeducational assessment with a thorough developmental history will be sufficient.

These children tend to do well in elementary school, and in many cases are seen as gifted. However, historical clues are there if you look. Many children with NLD have early problems with fine motor skills, balance walking, riding a bike , and activities such as tying shoes. They may be clumsy and bump into things because of poor spatial awareness. They are not the stars of T-ball or ballet.