Are these characteristics familiar? - An NLD checklist
By Rondalyn V. Whitney, MOT, OTR/L

• Has a spread between verbal and performance scores on congitive potential testing (with verbal being stronger)

• Needs extra time to complete assigned tasks or projects

• Is often late to appointments and scheduled events

• Gets confused with directions, oral or written, and with map reading

• Seems to be very reliant on others for every day tasks

• Gets confused when expectations and decisions get changed

• Gets into power struggles with adults

• Does not respond well to incentive programs (money, points, credits, etc.)

• Always seems to sink when given a "sink or swim" option

• Often sees the world negatively

• Does not do well in tasks requiring copying, rote memory, paper & pencil tasks, etc.

• Does poorly on timed assignments and tests

• Often seems to hear from others, "I should not have to tell you this again..."

• Gets confused with too many advisors, teachers, directors, bosses

• Needs to internalize a better sense of social skills, often requiring direct instruction

• Has trouble just observing interactions of others and learning from them

• Often makes "social blunders"

• Needs help to work through an effective decision process

• Has difficulty "winging it"

• Has difficulty adjusting to change, making transitions

• Ask too many questions of others

• Does not respond appropriately to most nonverbal cues