​Teaching and Tourette Syndrome: Non-verbal learning difficulties
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NLD (non-verbal learning difficulties) may occur with a number of neuro-developmental disorders, most commonly with Asperger's Syndrome. People with Tourette Syndrome may exhibit NLDs to a greater or lesser extent.

Signs and characteristics of NLDs

Misunderstanding or inability to respond appropriately to non-verbal communications

Difficulty maintaining attention in noisy or visually complex environments
 

Sensory defensiveness or hypersensitivity - auditory processing difficulties can result in similar disadvantages as hearing impairment/deafness

Difficulty with remembering or recognising faces and names

Problems with locational navigation (e.g. negotiating return journeys, becoming lost in buildings, following directions, coping with route changes)

Difficulties with reading and writing quickly despite often having excellent language abilities and early reading abilities and vocabulary
 

Diificulties with use of IT and electronic media: typing on a keyboard, reading from screens (especially backlit or flickering) and following information presented via audio/visual media
 

Often compensate for non-verbal difficulties with highly developed verbal abilities. Often rapid speech and too many words
 

Perception of the environment as chaotic and may attempt to take on too many simultaneous activities
 

Anxious about failure. Often over-compensate by doing too much too quickly and hence become overwhelmed with the complexity and magnitude of the tasks they are faced with
 

Difficulty in correctly recognising emotions in other people and in expressing their own emotions in an appropriate way or intensity
 

Difficulty with the appropriate use of touching. When to do it, how and when not to



Distraction and impaired concentration due to tics and obsessive-compulsive behaviours - both may result in more time required to perform tasks including written assignments and physical activities





Remember: Disability can hide intelligence!

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TS in the Classroom