What is the nonverbal learning disorder that Tim Walz’s teenage son Gus suffers from? Learn all about this visual and spatial disability

Gus Walz, the son of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz who officially adopted the vice presidential nomination during the Democratic National Convention, stole the show when he came up to support his father after he gave a speech. The 17-year-old stood up and said, “That’s my dad,” then added, “I love you, Dad.”

Tim and his wife, Gwen, had previously revealed that Gus had been diagnosed with a nonverbal learning disability as a teenager. According to research, at least 3 million children in the United States live with a nonverbal learning disability, or NVLD, which affects a person’s visual and spatial skills.

According to experts, the number of people who receive a diagnosis is likely to be much lower than those who live with the disability. They are known to be extremely intelligent and articulate, but are clumsy in motor and spatial coordination.

What is a nonverbal learning disability?

Mental health experts say nonverbal learning disability is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties with visual-spatial processing, executive functioning, math concepts, fine motor skills and social skills.

People with this disability typically do not have difficulties in areas such as reading, decoding language, spelling, vocabulary or memorizing facts; however, they do have problems with visual, spatial or tactile perception. Experts say that although nonverbal learning disability is not recognized as an official diagnosis, it is estimated that more than 5 percent of people with learning disabilities have the condition worldwide.

What areas of difficulty are associated with a nonverbal learning disability?

According to doctors, people with nonverbal learning disabilities may have difficulties in some areas:

Visual and spatial awareness

Any child or teen with a nonverbal learning disability may have trouble processing visual images. Experts say this happens because they can’t perceive items accurately, and as a result, they may also be clumsy or physically awkward.

Comprehension

Most people with this disability have difficulty understanding broader, higher-order comprehension issues—that is, trouble understanding the essential details of things they are reading or writing.

Mathematical concepts

Children with nonverbal learning disabilities are good at rote learning and may also do well in early math, but eventually struggle as the material becomes more difficult. According to experts, most are unable to understand or recognize patterns or apply advanced concepts.

Social skills

Those with disabilities may have difficulty interpreting nonverbal communication cues, such as facial expressions and body language. Experts say that unlike other children their age, these children will not be able to pick up on social cues and may not realize what is happening in the interaction.

Signs and symptoms of nonverbal learning disorder

Some signs and symptoms of nonverbal learning disabilities may include difficulty with the following tasks:

According to experts, nonverbal learning disorder is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder that originates from a dysfunction in the right hemisphere of the brain. There are genetic abnormalities in the brain that can impair the transmission of neurological signals, leading to the symptoms of this condition.

Therefore, nonverbal learning disability is characterized by difficulty in performing tasks that require the right brain and relative ease in performing tasks that require the left brain.