Anyone out there have a child with Non-Verbal Learning Disorder?

Question

My 10-year-old son has NVLD. He is pretty high functioning, but I worry about the near future. He is going into 5th grade, and already he has had problems with the social interactions at school. I'd love to know if anyone out there has an teenage or adult child with NVLD. How is life for your child? What advice can you give me that will help me make his future the best it can be. I don't want him to be depressed (which is common for these kids) or alone.

Thank you for any help.

Answer 1

Have you had your child fully tested for an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) like Aspergers? - - - by someone who is knowledgeable and up-to-date on the issues? I have found that all of my previous students who were diagnosed as NVLD, were re-diagnosed as having ASD when re-examined by an individual with more recent training.

Try reading The Out-of-Sync Child, it is fantastic! It may help shed some light onto why he has difficulty in certain areas of functioning http://www.out-of-sync-child.com/

Have you looked into a social skills group in your area? (or starting one)? He needs to learn how to interact with others, something that comes naturally to typically developing children.

Also, if you suspect that he is depressed, please seek professional help right away. He is at an age that he knows that he is different from his peers and is highly aware that he does not seem to "fit in." Be open to trying dietary changes and medications if necessary.

Lastly, you may want to read this article:
http://www.nldontheweb.org/Dinklage_1.htm

In the meantime, continue to love your son unconditionally and be his biggest fan, supporter, and advocate! I wish you luck in your endeavors.

Answer 2

My son has Asperger's and the two are very similar. My son is going into high school this year. I worried because my son didn't seem to have any friends. I think he worried about that for a while mainly because everyone else made a big deal out of it. He is in a lot of groups, such as church, cross country, theater and choir. No, kids don't generally call him up and ask him to go places, but he seems to have a good time with them through the group functions. He seems to be pretty happy right now. Make sure your son is seeing the therapist. The therapist can pick up on things that we sometimes can't. The therapist is also someone that my son can talk to that isn't mom or dad. As he is getting older, he doesn't want to tell us everything, but he has someone that I trust that he can talk to. hang in there. If you want to talk further, you can email me.

Answer 3

I have a non-verbal LD and ADHD and I am a successful 3rd grade teacher. My LD was not picked up until later in life. However, I have a few questions for you- was she tested through your school district, or outside? The school might provide her with speech services that can work on verbal and non verbal cues. Often kids with NLD have a hard time socially and with things like idioms. You are not alone as a parent!! Depending on where you live, there might already be support groups through a local therapist for kids like your daughter, or even a group for parents with children with LDs. Often local parent publications have information on that. I listed below the website that is for the local parent magazine for my area so you have a better understand what I mean. If your daughter was tested through school, they should be able to give you references, along with your ped. or the testing service. Please feel free to email me with specifics and I will help you out.

Answer 4

At 11 my son went on anti-depressants. I personally don't advocate medicating any child, but what a difference this made for him and us. His grades improved and so did his ability to be friendlier. He still has three friends he made in elementary school and he just graduated from college. He continues to take medication for depression. Teaching social skills within a group could help him. Doesn't your school offer help from a social worker? I would look into that. Maybe joining a group where he could tutor younger kids would help him gain some inter-personal skills; then he might move on to his peer group. I do wish you luck with this. It's difficult to see our kids struggle with these life skills.