Normative or Heavy Clouds? Early Indicators of Nonverbal Learning Disability Based on Mothers ’ Reports

Background: Children with Nonverbal Learning Disabilities (NVLD) are verbally competent and particularly weak in nonverbal, visuospatial, and social abilities. Most of the literature about NVLD discusses the allaround functioning and diagnosis process during school years. In this qualitative study,...

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Main Authors: Sara Rosenblum, Michal Piran, Sonya Meyer, Dalia Sachs
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Scholarworks @ WMU 2018-04-01
Series:Open Journal of Occupational Therapy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1395&context=ojot
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author Sara Rosenblum
Michal Piran
Sonya Meyer
Dalia Sachs
author_facet Sara Rosenblum
Michal Piran
Sonya Meyer
Dalia Sachs
author_sort Sara Rosenblum
collection DOAJ
description Background: Children with Nonverbal Learning Disabilities (NVLD) are verbally competent and particularly weak in nonverbal, visuospatial, and social abilities. Most of the literature about NVLD discusses the allaround functioning and diagnosis process during school years. In this qualitative study, the perceptions of mothers of children with NVLD were explored in the context of their children’s daily functioning characteristics during their first 3 years. The aim was to identify early indicators and warning signs of NVLD during the developmental process. Method: Five mothers participated in two in-depth, semi-structured retrospective interviews. Results: Two main themes were identified: (a) “Everything was so normal,” which revealed normal development in the first year, and (b) “The era of heavy clouds,” which revealed warning signs at the age of 2 to 3 years. Developmental profile similarities and unique individual characteristics were identified and highlighted, and the effects on daily occupations and social interactions during early childhood were revealed. The findings support the need for in-depth evaluation and early identification in the crucial developmental preschool years. Conclusions: A deeper understanding of the nature and uniqueness of a significant learning disability like NVLD and its vast impact on a child’s functioning and participation limitations may assist health care practitioners to adapt and provide suitable interventions.
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spelling doaj.art-d460140a34a7434292ed93a6d51162862022-12-21T17:23:15ZengScholarworks @ WMUOpen Journal of Occupational Therapy2168-64082018-04-016210.15453/2168-6408.1395Normative or Heavy Clouds? Early Indicators of Nonverbal Learning Disability Based on Mothers ’ ReportsSara RosenblumMichal PiranSonya MeyerDalia SachsBackground: Children with Nonverbal Learning Disabilities (NVLD) are verbally competent and particularly weak in nonverbal, visuospatial, and social abilities. Most of the literature about NVLD discusses the allaround functioning and diagnosis process during school years. In this qualitative study, the perceptions of mothers of children with NVLD were explored in the context of their children’s daily functioning characteristics during their first 3 years. The aim was to identify early indicators and warning signs of NVLD during the developmental process. Method: Five mothers participated in two in-depth, semi-structured retrospective interviews. Results: Two main themes were identified: (a) “Everything was so normal,” which revealed normal development in the first year, and (b) “The era of heavy clouds,” which revealed warning signs at the age of 2 to 3 years. Developmental profile similarities and unique individual characteristics were identified and highlighted, and the effects on daily occupations and social interactions during early childhood were revealed. The findings support the need for in-depth evaluation and early identification in the crucial developmental preschool years. Conclusions: A deeper understanding of the nature and uniqueness of a significant learning disability like NVLD and its vast impact on a child’s functioning and participation limitations may assist health care practitioners to adapt and provide suitable interventions.https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1395&context=ojotdevelopmental continuumnonverbal learning disabilityqualitative researchwarning signs
spellingShingle Sara Rosenblum
Michal Piran
Sonya Meyer
Dalia Sachs
Normative or Heavy Clouds? Early Indicators of Nonverbal Learning Disability Based on Mothers ’ Reports
Open Journal of Occupational Therapy
developmental continuum
nonverbal learning disability
qualitative research
warning signs
title Normative or Heavy Clouds? Early Indicators of Nonverbal Learning Disability Based on Mothers ’ Reports
title_full Normative or Heavy Clouds? Early Indicators of Nonverbal Learning Disability Based on Mothers ’ Reports
title_fullStr Normative or Heavy Clouds? Early Indicators of Nonverbal Learning Disability Based on Mothers ’ Reports
title_full_unstemmed Normative or Heavy Clouds? Early Indicators of Nonverbal Learning Disability Based on Mothers ’ Reports
title_short Normative or Heavy Clouds? Early Indicators of Nonverbal Learning Disability Based on Mothers ’ Reports
title_sort normative or heavy clouds early indicators of nonverbal learning disability based on mothers reports
topic developmental continuum
nonverbal learning disability
qualitative research
warning signs
url https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1395&context=ojot
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AT michalpiran normativeorheavycloudsearlyindicatorsofnonverballearningdisabilitybasedonmothersreports
AT sonyameyer normativeorheavycloudsearlyindicatorsofnonverballearningdisabilitybasedonmothersreports
AT daliasachs normativeorheavycloudsearlyindicatorsofnonverballearningdisabilitybasedonmothersreports