Tim Walz's Son Gus and His Nonverbal Learning Disability
Tim Walz's Son Gus and Nonverbal Learning Disability
Gus Walz stole the show Wednesday when his father, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, officially accepted the vice presidential nomination on the third night of the Democratic National Convention. The 17-year-old stood up during his father’s speech and said, “That’s my dad,” later adding, “I love you, Dad.” The governor and his wife, Gwen Walz, revealed in a People interview that their son was diagnosed with nonverbal learning disability as a teenager.
What is Nonverbal Learning Disability?
- Affects spatial-visual skills
- Struggles with motor coordination
- Difficulty in social situations
A 2020 study estimated that as many as 2.9 million children in North America have this condition, although those diagnosed may be far fewer. Santhosh Girirajan, a professor at Penn State, explains that individuals with NVLD are typically very intelligent yet struggle with visual-spatial tasks.
Signs and Misdiagnosis
- Signs often appear in adolescence.
- May be misdiagnosed as autism.
- Awareness is crucial for appropriate support.
Laura Phillips from the Child Mind Institute mentions that these individuals may excel early in school but struggle with subtle social cues as they grow. Amy Margolis is advocating for NVLD to be recognized in the DSM-5, which would help in obtaining necessary resources.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.