Genius and Non-Verbal Learning Disorder - NVLD; Autism Spectrum Disorders
88Social Development in American Youth
I have worked with youth that have experienced "different" learning styles from the general American population, as well as with those that have demonstrated what is termed "learning disorders" and "learning disabilities." Sometimes, these are not real disabilities, but only individual differences. From this, we achieve the term "differently abled" when applied to some that seem to have learning disorders -- Some groups feel that there are no learning disabilities at all, but only differences in learning styles; however this may not be the case. Some of these situations can benefit from professional intervention.
More and more learning disorders seem to be connected to neurology (study of the nervous system, including the brain). Links exist between ADD/ADHD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, some aspects of several personality disorders, Tourette's Syndrome, and several other mental and physical health conditions.
Research is underway in America to examine all of these types of conditions and the underlying neurological functioning in order to better understand what we can do to manage them, treat them, or even prevent them. It is a complex and time consuming endeavor.
Non-Verbal Leaning Disorder (NVLD or NLD) is under investigation in the State of Michigan at Michigan State University. The Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology have joined to gather in cooperation to look at NVLD and its impact on our nation's youth.
For a limited time, children are being sought to participate in a controlled study that will help researches and doctors learn more about this condition and how to manage it.
NVLD Neuro-imaging Study
REQUIREMENTS:
- Male youth ages 6 though 18.
- Normally Developing or Socially Challenged, either one.
- May have a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, NVLD, or ADHD.
Each accepted participant in the study will be given:
- A Short Neuropsychological Screening activity and $60. This will be an examinationintelligence via an IQ score, executive brain functioning level, and the extent of visual-spatial development.
- A brain scan (picture) to keep and $40. This will consist of an MRI of your child and screening by a qualified, licensed radiologist.
QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED BY THE STUDY:
- Does your child have difficulty making and keeping friends?
- What are the differences between "normally" developing children and those with difficulty in social development?
RESEARCHERS:
Dr. Semrud-Clikeman (517) 432-4212. Email: semrudcl@msu.edu
Dr. Fine (517) 353-5035
Michigan State University - Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry
NOTE: If this study is filled or concluded, ask about other, related trials.
Facial Expressions
The Astounding Hannah Camille: Musings of Someone with NLD
- Thoughts and Feelings: Musings of Someone with NLD
This is an eye-opening Blog by a college graduate with NLD. She progressed from dropping out of high school to college graduation and enrollment in grad school. As she succeeds in life and explains NLD from the inside, she will help us all.
Hub Pages About NVLD
Social Emotional LDs - UC Davis - Vital Info - 59 minutes
Resources
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Some Definitions
NVLD is actually not a single condition or leaning disability, but a cluster of conditions that make up a neurological syndrome.
Thus, it is a syndrome (set) of conditions and behaviors that is based in the neurology of a human being -- in the brain and nervous system, how it is put together, how it is developing, and how it is working.
NVLD has PLUSes and MINUSes. It is not all bad.
The PLUSes are called assets - 1) early speech, 2) early vocabulary development. 3) uncommon memorization ability and excellent verbal memory (hear it, remember it), 4) fine attention to detail, 5) early reading, 6) advanced spelling ability, and 7) almost adult verbal abilities in expression, even at a young age. Those having this syndrome look like geniuses and in some aspects, they are..
The MINUSes:
These are deficitsand include 1) physical motor problems (coordination, balance, writing, and drawing); 2) visual-spatial-organizational (problems with images, little visual recall, inadequate spatial perceptions and relational concepts, and poor executive brain functions like logic, and decision making; 3) social (this is a big one) - inability to "get" nonverbal communication, inability to deal with change and newness, and poor social judgment & interactions; and 4) the senses oversensitivy to one or more of a) visual, 2) auditory (sounds), c) tactile, d) taste, or e) olfactory (smell).
Some of these "symptoms" do sound a lot like ADD/ADHD and Asperber's and other "lesser knowns" which are included in this definition of the syndrome --
REMEMBER! When a "normal" person is very tired, stressed, or has not had enough food, is dehydrated, is suffering electrolytic imbalance, is having an allergic reaction to something, or under several other circumstances (including possible brain tumor), some of these symptoms can occur to them - any of us - as well. so do not jump to conclusions - - Please consult a doctor.
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Comments and ExperiencesLoading...
This is good to bring attention to these problems. I've coached an author or two who wrote on natural solutions to ADD, etc.
Thanks, Judy Cullins www.bookcoaching.co
Thanks for the comments, Judy and Catlyn. In Ohio, we have mainstreamed many of these youth into regular classes. Adults with NVLD, we have helped to acheive theri GEDs and good careers. It's possible!
I found a comprehensive summer institute on video about NVLD replacing dyslexia and the buzz-word disorder of the 21st century, and added it.
Thanks for the post,i saw a child showed on a tv show with surprising abilities to add up very big numbers, subtract and multiply them,all very correctly but lacking coordination & interaction.There was nothing told about his abnormality.Now i guess he was suffering from NVLD.
Sounds like some possible symptoms of NVLD, but he certainly was good with mathematics, wasn't he? Reminds me of the man who could memorize all the serial numbers on dozens freight train cars as they went by - there's an old flim clip of it that is shown on TVLand or History channel sometimes.
It is heartwarming to know that so many are exploring how to help those who are not considered normal to live fulfilling lives. This is especially true when the number of cases is growing so much.
There is one area I wish would be explored more is the interaction of all the different synthetic chemicals so prevalent in today's society. It seems like we want to turn a blind eye to the idea that these chemicals are interacting together to cause these anomalies in human development. Between this and the way a majority of our food is produced, logic seems to point to this type problem only increasing and humans are no where near being intelligent enough to create man made cures.
We all thank those of you who endeavor to help those who are challenged and only hope that the scientist will remove the blinders and see that the environment we have created might be the cause. I am very encouraged by the idea of concentrating on natural nutrition and elimination of synthetic chemical in reversing some of the initial growth anomalies. At the very least, this path will decrease the numbers of those alterations in individual human development.
I share your hopes and aspirations on these issues, Health Conscious. Thanks very much for your visit and comments.
I have NBLD (diagnosed my sophomore year of college) and I'm finding this site extremely helpful and a good resource with which to be able to teach others. It's hard to keep jobs because of the socializing and misreading of cues, or just because I a have a hard time with hand-eye coordination.
On another note, I graduated with a 4.0 GPA, have two jobs, and I'm now 24 years old, and I was 17 when I received my drivers license (though, I'll admit, I get cracks that I'm not the best driver all of the time).
NVLD is a disability, yes, but smart and capable people worthy of employment and lifestyles like any "normal" person. Don't condemn us, just accept us, and you'll see life a little bit differently.
This is a good point - I have always gone to work to work, not to socialize. And while the gossips don't like it when someone won't join in, they can be handled. Godo manners are always needed - Good Morning, Good Bye, etc. -- And a bit of socializing occasionally is OK - group outings, holidays, etc.
Work life would be much easier if cues were stopped and people said what they needed to say, with good manners of course. But that's too easy, isn't it? :) Some fish turn different colors - a cue hard to miss. Human cues are not so clear.
I'm wondering if anyone can suggest jobs best suited for kids with NVLD. We have a daughter is is graduating high school and searching for a carreer path.
Thanks
Hi tim - What would your daughter like to do? I think I'd start there. However, did she receive any employment readiness training in high school? - The courses would have helped her look at her interests and abilities and begin to come up with what she might like to do and be good at.
Thanks!
Thanks for this education: My daughter has this condition.
For your information - unusual resources:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ADHD_Bulletin
About Good Nutrition, the Human Brain, and ADHD
Thank you both for reading and commenting!
Charles - Thanks for adding the links; they will likely assist interested readers with more and significant information.
I have to say this is one very ambitious, solid piece - and being packed with a lot of what looks like labored info, rather generous as well. As one who is so "blessed" (maybe or probably? a consequence of pediatric hydrocephalus and/or its treatments) and a related major brain surgery to remove a cyst at age 9 in the spring of '81 (lesse - graduated '90 at 18 from 12th minus 9 to the recalled 3rd thus 9 and '81 - yep!). Hee hee. Just thought I'd share a fly-on-the-wall's-eye view of my thinking process, as merely remembering the details is not in the cards for me. I remember it was 3rd grade - why that stuck, I don't know - maybe something having to do with the VERY uncomfortable spectacle of returning to school after a long absense.
Anyway, I am a whiz at "no paper" computation, and a math geek in general. No - no "Rainman"-level freakery, just high smarts/comfort with numeracy and a rock-solid number sense, and well as an insatiable appetite to sharpen both.
Yes, I was a rather precocious kid with regard to verbal (written and oral) expression. Life experience and a painfully acquired 'Gestalt' of general knowledge (which has always been and remains quite sub-par compared to my peers - again, it takes me *AWHILE* to pick up on the stuff of life that is not direct-taught), has resulted in what I regard as a - well, yeah, damn it - a decent or better grasp of the writing craft, at least for the short forms.
I'm also a musician, having been playing the piano for some 30 years now (actually a little more, I'm 37). I have "perfect" pitch, and teach on the side. My day job is severe special ed - and I can't imagine this is an accident.
Anyway, just wanted to say "wow" to your piece and tell you I think it's gonna lead many of your readers to a better and broader understanding of NVLD. :)
Hi,
I am a 57 year old psychologist and was diagnosed with NVLD about 5 years ago. In repons eto Tim I suggst a book called "What Color is Your Parachute" this is an exxelent tool in finding out what a job seeker likes to do and is good at doing. The key issue in my mind would be what excites your daughter and makes her feel more alive doing it. The worst thing would be a job that she found boring or uninteresting IMO.
In my own life I have alwsy been rather unorganized and disordered and it has helped when I had a boss or a colleagues who appreciated me for who I am and what I can do vs how tidy or timely my paperwork was. That can a key issue in fitting in and being able to keep a job in my experience.
I wish now that I had known why I had diffcilutties earlier in my life as at time sit would have helped me to ask for some assistance. For example colleges these days have staff who can help a student keep organized and learn study skills etc.
Be sure to read the link to Hannah Camille and her daily success through the experiences of NLD.
Patty - As a relative newcomer I am enjoying reading old and new articles on subjects I'm interested in. Right now I'm working to gain my last layer of confidence, having grown up with undiagnosed learning and attention disorders in the 50s and 60s. What you say about NLD is right-on. I do think there are some additional areas of weakness and strength. My hubs, of which there are only three so far, deal with this topic, too. Thank you for bringing accurate and thorough information on the subject to the "table.
I'll be sure to be reading your hubs, embee77. first-hand information is always wanted. Cheers!
This was awesome. I know it doesn't directly pertain, but I've had a.d.d. all my life. I've got a pretty high I.Q, but learning over all didn't come easy. Luckily I had a mother who didn't accept excuses when it came to grades, coupled with great teachers and professors. It's really something. I'm smart enough to own and run a business, but not smart enough to work at Mc Donald's. lol
That (McD) is goofy, isn't it, TheManWithNoPants?
My daughter is currently undergoing testing where dyscalculia and nvld is the possible issue. However, my daughter doesn't seem to endure the social differences, or the clumsiness (though, shes not extremely coordinated). Any one seen this is their nvld child??
Hi! Very informative hub! -- Thanks
Superb blog post, I have book marked this internet site so ideally I’ll see much more on this subject in the foreseeable future!
Disability Products
As a person with NVLD I have to say this hub is informative and accurate. Love it, love it, love it! Thank you for the awesome hub!
my grandson has just been diagnosed with nvld at age 6. how can i help him.we have a close relationship and i think he trusts me
As in the pastor's son's case where the boy was completely symptom free by age 19, grandparents can help by paying attention to the child, talking to him, answering him or commenting if he does say anything - but don't plead with him to talk. Read him stories, have art supplies ready. Let him type words on a keyboard in a Word document, so some physical activities, play music he likes - or see what he does and does not like. Sing! Dance! Smile and hug him, even if he doesn't always like it.
Cheers!
I need help...quick! My 19 yr. old son is NVLD. Socially doing quite well. He is in his first year of college and residence. He came home last week-end and broke down with the stress and anxiety of school. I was able to get him back to school but he is working so hard and getting grades from excellent to a course he failed and is repeating at night. He is in all out panic that he can't do this. He has convinced himself that he won't make it and is so frightened of thefuture. So am I ! Any advice at all is truly welcome.
Trish_Hevey@Rogers.com
Take him to his mental health counselor immediately or have him go to Student Health Services at school. They want to help.
(removed my own duplicate)
Thanks for the informative hub.
I am someone who was diagnosed with NVLD as a college student in my early adulthood, when I was unable to pass Calculus. A few years ago, I was diagnosed with Aspergers, when I had difficulty with colleagues at work that would ask me for help with a student (I'm a special education teacher), and then get mad at me for posing workable solutions... I was told that I had to be sympathetic to the teachers rather than the students. Sigh. Anyway...
I think one big need in the NVLD world is to get it recognized by ADA.
Another is better and accurate "popular" coverage by media so that employers and educators develop better understanding for their students/employees.
And finally, diagnostic criteria should focus less on the perceptions of others and more on the experience of the person with a "difference." By doing so, those learning about the label are subtly directed away from how the "difference" affects people around the individual, and more on how the world affects the individual. Consider that these are indeed physical differences, and how the current diagnostic system for conditions like NVLD, ADHD, and Autism would look if applied to say, orthopedic impairments.
I wish now that I had known why I had diffcilutties earlier in my life as at time sit would have helped me to ask for some assistance. For example colleges these days have staff who can help a student keep organized and learn study skills etc.
Catlyn 3 years ago
Excellent information! I work with kiddos with Aspergers and had not even heard of NVLD.