What causes nonverbal learning disorder?
Current evidence and theories suggest that the destruction, disorder or dysfunction of white matter in the right hemisphere of the brain could be the cause of nonverbal learning disorders. Researchers have associated NLD with patients who have neurological histories including: • moderate to severe head injury • repeated radiation treatments • tumors • seizures • congenital absence of the corpus callosum (the band of neural fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres) • hydrocephalus Each of these neurological conditions involves destruction of white matter connections in the right hemisphere of the brain. Three categories of dysfunction present themselves in children with NLD: • Motoric-a child with nonverbal learning disorders commonly appear awkward and is, in fact, inadequately coordinated in both fine and gross motor skills. He or she may have had extreme difficulty learning to ride a bike or kick a soccer ball. Fine motor skills, such as cutting with scissors or tying shoelaces
