--- title: Classroom accommodations for nonverbal learning disabilities description: What accommodations can help kids with nonverbal learning disabilities? Here are some strategies to try in the classroom. slug: at-a-glance-classroom-accommodations-for-nonverbal-learning-disabilities author: Kate Kelly reviewer: Ginny Osewalt published: '2019-09-13T19:19:42.521Z' thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/6C4dO59HsglNJMiTfikzE1/dffc00b6745e1a460de990beb452195f/G595349175.jpg source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/at-a-glance-classroom-accommodations-for-nonverbal-learning-disabilities lang: en --- # Classroom accommodations for nonverbal learning disabilities Students who have [nonverbal learning disabilities](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/understanding-nonverbal-learning-disabilities) (NVLD) have difficulty with social skills and abstract thinking. They often need explicit instruction to pick up on social cues and struggle with things like abstract concepts or changes to their routine. What can teachers do to help? Here are some [classroom accommodations](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/accommodations-what-they-are-and-how-they-work) to try. ## Classroom schedules and routines - Create a daily class routine that changes as little as possible. - Post class schedules, rules, and expectations; make sure the student sees them. - Make a laminated card with the student’s schedule on it. - Provide verbal cues before transitions. - Give the student plenty of time to preview and prepare for new activities like group projects, field trips, and other changes in routine. - Let the student choose where to sit. ## Introducing new concepts - Give a short review or connection to a previous lesson before teaching new ideas. - Provide an overview of a lesson before teaching it and clearly state the objective. - Use simple, concrete, and clear language. - Define figures of speech as you use them. - Explain jokes and identify sarcasm and words that have more than one meaning. - Break down abstract concepts and rephrase if needed. ## Providing instructions and materials - Speak slowly when giving directions. - Give written directions—even for assignments you’d expect a student to be able to generalize from the past. - Offer guided notes to use in class and to help the student zero in on key points of complex assignments. - Provide a rubric that describes the elements of a successful assignment. - Shorten assignments to avoid overwhelming the student. - Adapt worksheets to cut down on handwriting. For example, use “circle the answer” or “fill in the blank” questions. - [Break a big project into smaller steps](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/6-simple-steps-for-breaking-down-assignments), making sure the student understands the overall goal and how the parts fit together. - Use [organizers](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/common-advance-organizers-and-why-they-work) and mind-mapping software. - Share the test format ahead of time so the student can focus on content. - Allow extended time for taking tests. - Create a quiet work space as needed. - Offer an extra set of books to keep at home. ## Building self-regulation and social skills - Proactively identify signs of overstimulation or frustration. - Use a [nonverbal signal](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/behavior-strategy-nonverbal-signals) with the student to indicate the need for a [brain break](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/evidence-based-behavior-strategy-brain-breaks). - Identify a calming zone at school where the student can go to regroup and relax. - Teach [social rules](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/unwritten-social-rules-for-kids) like how close to stand to people and how to interpret body language and other nonverbal cues. - [Pre-correct and prompt](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/evidence-based-behavior-strategy-pre-correcting-and-prompting) to help teach social skills. - Respond to inappropriate behavior using [respectful redirection](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/behavior-strategy-respectful-redirection). - Develop a consistent strategy for when the student repeats questions or gets stuck on a topic or idea (sometimes called “[perseveration](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/perseveration-adhd-and-learning-differences)”). ## What’s next? Do you have a student who you think may have nonverbal learning disabilities? [Watch one young woman talk](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/video-a-young-woman-opens-up-about-growing-up-with-nvld) about what it was like to be a student with NVLD. Does your child have NVLD? Explore [strategies and tips for helping your child make sense of social cues](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/helping-your-child-with-social-cues) like tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language. --- ## Explore related topics and articles - [Classroom accommodations for language disorders](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/classroom-accommodations-for-language-disorders) - Explore these classroom accommodations for language disorders. Download and print a list of supports for use at school — and even at home. - [What are nonverbal learning disabilities?](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/understanding-nonverbal-learning-disabilities) - - Trouble with social skills is a key challenge of NVLD. - NVLD isnt a formal diagnosis, but the difficulties can impact learning. - There are ways to help people improve skills and manage the challenges. Nonverbal learning disabilities \(NVLD\) is a term that refers to challenges with a specific - [Classroom accommodations for auditory processing disorder](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/classroom-accommodations-for-auditory-processing-disorder) - Auditory processing disorder \(APD\) makes it hard for students to process and make meaning of sounds. That can make it hard to learn from focusing on what a teacher says to learning how to read. 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