Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NVLD)

Written by Alyson Powell Key
Medically Reviewed by Smitha Bhandari, MD on April 08, 2025
8 min read

Nonverbal learning disorder (NVLD), also called nonverbal learning disability (NLD), is a condition that makes it hard to process visual, spatial, and other types of information. 

Children with NVLD often have strong verbal skills. They’re usually good at reading (though they may have trouble comprehending what they read) and spelling, too.

But they struggle with nonverbal skills, such as: 

  • Abstract thinking 
  • Motor skills 
  • Social cues

While NVLD is not an official diagnosis or disorder, some experts are pushing to include it in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). That’s what the American Psychiatric Association uses to define and classify mental disorders.

This will help people with NVLD get better care and other resources, and scientists are more likely to get funding to study the condition.

The five areas of NVLD

A child with NVLD may show weaknesses in one or more of five areas: 

Visual and spatial awareness. Many kids with NVLD have issues understanding visual imagery and how things fit together in space, which makes it hard for them to know where things are in relation to each other. 

Higher-order comprehension. This skill involves spotting a main idea, the supporting details, and how ideas connect. It affects how well kids understand what they read and write and how they tell stories.

Social communication. Kids with NVLD may have trouble understanding emotions through facial expressions and body language. They often miss social cues that other kids notice easily.

Math concepts. Older kids may struggle to solve advanced math problems that require them to recognize concepts and patterns.

Executive functions. These are the skills we use to organize our thoughts, make plans, take action, and solve problems.

Nonverbal learning disorder vs. autism

The symptoms of NVLD can look similar to other conditions, including ADHD and autism. Doctors sometimes confuse these disorders, especially since many kids with NVLD also have autism and ADHD. 

Both autism and NVLD cause problems with social skills and communication. There are key differences, though. Unlike children with autism, kids with NVLD don’t have trouble with verbal communication or repetitive behaviors.

Researchers think dysfunction in the right hemisphere of the brain in what’s called “white matter” may lead to NVLD. Changes in this area of the brain can affect the transmission of neurological signals, triggering NVLD symptoms.

The main symptoms of NVLD are problems with social skills and nonverbal communication. NVLD symptoms in children can include trouble with:

  • Reading people’s facial expressions and body language
  • Physical coordination and motor skills (bike riding, playing sports, getting around barriers)
  • Processing important information
  • Big picture thinking
  • Understanding what they read
  • Advanced math, especially word problems
  • Thinking in abstract terms
  • Messy handwriting
  • Giving others personal space

These may also have trouble with:

  • Sticking to one conversation topic
  • Adjusting to change
  • Organizing their thoughts
  • Understanding sarcasm
  • Understanding visual information like maps, charts, and graphs
  • Spatial relationships and judging distance
  • Problem-solving
  • Talking more than usual
  • Organization and planning

It’s common to start seeing the signs of NVLD when kids reach middle school. That’s when schools start requiring higher-order reasoning: figuring out a main idea, the details, and how ideas relate. 

Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and your child may only show a few signs of NVLD. One study of more than 100 students with the disorder found that the largest group showed signs from all five areas, while the second largest group only had two.

Nonverbal learning disorder in adults

While NVLD usually affects children, adults can also have it. Many adults with NVLD never received a diagnosis or treatment when they were kids. 

As an adult with this learning disability, you may have social or romantic problems along with issues at work and in your daily life. NVLD symptoms in adults can look similar to those in kids and include problems with:

  • Understanding jokes, sarcasm, and metaphors
  • Anxiety in social situations
  • Talking too much or oversharing
  • Asking too many questions or questions that are out of place
  • Focusing and listening
  • Reading body language, tone, facial expressions, and social cues
  • Organization and tracking tasks
  • Meeting deadlines
  • Following directions with more than one step

Adults with the condition might also have trouble:

  • Adjusting to a change in routine
  • Reading “between the lines”
  • Reading comprehension
  • Trying new things or going somewhere new
  • Processing visual information such as maps and charts
  • A sense of direction (gets lost easily)
  • Physical coordination
  • Multitasking
  • Forgetfulness

Although NVLD isn’t an official diagnosis, many educators and psychologists recognize it as a learning disability. A psychologist can determine if your child has NVLD by testing their verbal and nonverbal skills. 

They’ll look for patterns of strengths, including: 

  • Spelling 
  • Reading aloud 
  • Rote learning, such as memorization 
  • Following simple instructions 

They’ll also look for weaknesses, such as: 

  • Understanding visual information 
  • Coordination 
  • Abstract thinking 
  • Social skills

Tests used for NVLD

A psychologist tests several areas to learn your child’s strengths and weaknesses, such as:

  • Cognitive ability (IQ) 
  • Verbal and nonverbal memory
  • Language abilities
  • Visual and spatial skills
  • Attention and executive functions
  • Motor skills
  • Academic skills
  • Social and emotional skills

After testing, your child’s psychologist will share a report outlining their findings and therapies to help manage NVLD. There are different ways to help your child improve their skills and manage challenges with NVLD, including:

Social skills groups. Your child will learn to greet people, join conversations, spot and respond to teasing, and other social skills.

Occupational therapy. This type of therapy improves coordination and fine motor skills and helps your child adjust to being outdoors.

Cognitive therapy. NVLD can trigger anxiety and other mental health issues, which cognitive therapy addresses.

There are no medications that directly treat NVLD. But if your child has symptoms of the disorder, such as anxiety, mood swings, or trouble focusing, your child's doctor may prescribe an antidepressant, mood stabilizer, or ADHD medication.

Parents and caretakers of kids with NVLD often encounter issues like a lack of flexibility, meltdowns, and social awkwardness. Here are some ways to manage these challenges: 

Inflexibility. Children with NVLD like structure and get frustrated when things don’t go as expected. They often struggle to adapt to change, appearing stubborn or wanting to argue. 

Tips:

  • Show empathy while explaining necessary changes.
  • Prepare your child for transitions.
  • Set clear rules for common problem situations.
  • Praise successful adjustment to change.

Meltdowns. Kids with NVLD can be easily overwhelmed, especially when routines change, even in fun situations. Understanding what triggers your child’s frustration, like hunger or tiredness, can help avoid meltdowns.

Tips:

  • Prepare your child by previewing situations.
  • Step in early with a distraction or calming break when frustration starts.
  • Have a quick exit plan if things escalate.

Social awkwardness. It’s common for children with NVLD to miss nonverbal cues, making it hard for them to understand social interactions. They might misread others' behavior or be unaware of how their own actions affect others. This can make them vulnerable to bullying or misunderstandings.

Tips:

  • Act quickly if bullying happens.
  • Explain NVLD to people who often interact with your child, such as family members.
  • Don’t blame your child for things they don’t understand. Instead, talk through strategies and help them process social situations.

Other challenges. Kids with NVLD often take things literally, missing jokes or figures of speech. They may also have poor spatial awareness, which makes understanding personal space difficult and complicates playing sports.

Tips:

  • Be direct when communicating, and be patient when they misunderstand.
  • Use visual aids, like a hula hoop, to explain personal space.
  • Encourage activities like swimming or martial arts that don’t rely on spatial awareness.

Additional ways parents and educators can handle skill issues in kids with NVLD:

Spatial perception issues:

  • Help the child recall strategies from past experiences to lessen the newness of different situations.
  • Give clear verbal instructions for tasks involving part/whole relationships.
  • Minimize visual distractions on worksheets.
  • Show a picture of how they should organize their workspace.
  • Offer positive feedback that explains why challenges happen.

Attention issues:

  • Make eye contact to ensure the child is paying attention.
  • Use a set "alert" word before giving instructions.
  • Allow fidget toys and movement breaks.
  • Seat students in areas with fewer distractions.

Motor skills issues:

  • Provide clear, repeated instruction for motor tasks.
  • Use professional programs to teach handwriting and keyboarding.

Executive function issues:

  • Show examples of how to approach new problems.
  • Teach multiple ways to approach unfamiliar tasks.
  • Encourage students to learn material in various ways, such as labeling, drawing, or writing answers.

Writing issues:

  • Use graphic organizers like concept maps or outlines.
  • Let students type or use voice-to-text tools if handwriting is challenging.

Math issues:

  • Verbally explain every math step in detail.
  • Encourage students to talk through math approaches.
  • Include sample problems at the top of homework or tests.
  • Keep the layout of math problems consistent.

Nonverbal learning disorder (NVLD) affects how you process visual and nonverbal information, making it hard to understand social cues, visual-spatial relationships, and abstract concepts. While diagnostic manuals don’t officially recognize NVLD, experts believe it stems from dysfunction in the brain’s right hemisphere. 

Treatment may include social skills training, occupational therapy, and cognitive therapy to help manage anxiety and improve coordination. Caregivers and educators can also support children with NVLD by providing clear instructions, encouraging social interaction, and using visual aids to teach spatial awareness.

Is NVLD a form of autism?

NVLD shares similarities with autism, but key differences include the absence of verbal communication problems or repetitive behaviors in children with NVLD. 

What are the struggles of nonverbal learning disability?

People with nonverbal learning disability have challenges with processing visual and nonverbal communication.

How does NVLD affect adults?

While doctors often diagnose NVLD in children, adults can also face challenges in social and work settings, especially when it comes to reading nonverbal cues and managing tasks that require organization or visual-spatial skills.

Does NVLD qualify for disability?

Since NVLD isn’t included in the DSM, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) doesn’t cover the disorder. But children can still get classroom accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.  

Ask your child’s neurologist if they’re willing to write a report outlining the disorder and ask for accommodations like allowing your child to take a different course. 

Do people with NVLD have sensory issues?

NVLD may affect your sense of hearing, taste, smell, or touch.