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Learning disorders: Know the signs, how to help

Nonverbal skills

Children with nonverbal learning disorders often have good basic language skills. They can excel at memorizing words too. But these children may have trouble with some skills that don't involve speaking, such as:

  • Perceiving where objects are.
  • Understanding abstract concepts.
  • Reading people's emotions through facial expressions and other cues.
  • Moving the body, also called physical coordination. This type of trouble is known as dyspraxia.
  • Fine motor skills, such as writing. This issue may happen along with other learning disorders.
  • Paying attention, planning and organizing, as seen in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD).
  • Understanding higher-level reading or writing tasks, often appearing in later grade school.