07 Apr NLD vs. ADHD
Brooklyn Letters
1139 Prospect Avenue, Brooklyn
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We would highly recommend Ally! Our son always asks about her, so very thankful to Brooklyn Letters for introducing us.
~ Emily, mom of Brooklyn 2 year old -
Nicole has been an amazing therapist!! She played a tremendous role in our daughter’s speech progress and overall development. She has come such a long way and we are so happy with the therapy she received!
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I cannot express how grateful and rewarding my experience with Brooklyn Letters has been. Her tutor Ms. Daria is so knowledgeable, amazing, kind and awesome. My daughter has made so much progress in Literacy and Math and it's all … More thanks to Ms. Daria. I know my daughter is sad that she can no longer work with Ms. Daria, as she looked forward to their sessions every week. Thank you again!
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Excellent services, caring therapists.
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Christina was absolutely wonderful. She went out of her way to win my son over and it worked. He looked forward to her visits and his speech improved so much under her care. She was super flexible and it’s clear she truly cares. We adore … More Christina and we’re going to miss her. Almost sad he improved so much! She’s simply amazing and we can’t say enough how great she is. I would recommend her services to anyone and everyone, without hesitation. Thank you so much for connecting us with her!
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We could not be happier with the services Valerie provided! She is very thoughtful and knowledgeable and provided significant guidance to support our daughter's speech development outside of our scheduled sessions. She established … More a great working relationship with her, and she will definitely be missed! Your business model is amazing and it was an absolute pleasure working with Valerie. I've referred your organization and Valerie to the Executive Director of our daughter's school and friends/colleagues who are in need of speech therapy services.
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We cannot say enough good things about Effie, the ASL teacher, who was so engaged and effective with our 2 year old daughter from the very first session! Effie gladly included our whole family in the sessions! Her expertise and fantastic … More personality gave our daughter a way to communicate that she was so desperately seeking. The coordinators at Brooklyn Letters were so helpful and communicative…I would highly recommend their services!
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The company is great with outstanding customer service. They keep my horses protected. I have recommended them to other horses trainers as well that are going to get service early next year. Very professional an honest too. Respectfully … More submitted Christopher
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Ron and Ken did a fantastic job with our security system today. Installed everything very quick. Both of them were very polite and asked us throughout if the installation met our needs. Simply fantastic!
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I called Cornerstone Protection to get a Security system at a relatives out of state property, within a week it was installed! The installers worked with the client to help understand her new system and she was happy! Our relative said … More they were courteous, professional and patient! I highly recommend Cornerstone Protection for all of your security needs!
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Had blink cameras; Car was broken into multiple times so I called CornerStone & they were able to install multiple cameras very quickly & for a reasonable price. I am so happy with the app & getting alerts that are not superfluous, … More like they were with Blink. Highly recommend CornerStone & the tech Ronnie.
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Ron and Ken are great guys to work with.
Both were very knowledgeable and got our system back up and running.
Thanks to both for a job well done... -
Samantha Dalmas was fantastic! We saw her for a feeding therapy evaluation and while she doesn’t think my daughter needs more feeding therapy sessions at this time, but she gave me lots of tips to try. If my daughter's doctors want … More to see more progress at her next appointment, I wouldn’t hesitate to reach out to Samantha again.
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Amazing assistance provided by Shannon today on my security system. I’m so grateful for your prompt, efficient, professional, and courteous service. Put me down as a customer for life!
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One of the most painless experiences I've had. They came on time and was over the moon professional with still keeping a level of personability to it. The gentleman also went out of his way to say that my husband and Mines business … More was appreciated. Which is actually rare to be appreciated by such a great company. So thank you and we look forward to continuing services with this company.
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I am so happy we decided to go with cornerstone. They were quick and efficient. Shannon and the installer we very friendly. We got a lot of equipment and it was still within our budget. 10/10 would definitely recommend! Thank you
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Love the customer service and Shanon and his team go above and beyond for my restaurant. Couldn't of asked for a better security system and level of service that his team provides.
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I have been using Cornerstone Protection service for over 5 years and I'm really happy with the service and state-of-the-art equipments and it's futures are so much in advance and friendly, I highly recommend Cornerstone Protection … More Service any and all business that need a security protection days and nights specially after business hours(Cornerstone Protection is perfect solution for your business). Owner of Cornerstone Protection is proactive with their customers and their equipments. Good experienced with Cornerstone Protection!!!
Kanu Patel -
We had a very positive experience with Alissa as a tutor for our pod of 5th grade boys from January - June 2020. She cared a lot about the boys and worked hard to create meaningful activities for them. The pod experience was invaluable … More for all of our families during a difficult year and we were so grateful to have found this partnership! We also want to appreciate Craig for helping to match us with a tutor on very short notice after we had cycled through a few folks who were not able to see the commitment through. Thanks for sticking with us!
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Dusty was the exact person we needed to help our child finish out the school year. So grateful to him for the way he steadily encouraged her and helped her stay on track and organized. He is flexible, responsive to our needs/schedule as … More a family, and a delight to be with. We are also thankful that Craig at Themba Tutors really "gets it" and partnered us with such a wonderful tutor who was a great fit for our girl.
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My child worked with Gillian D virtually for math enrichment. She is an excellent teacher. She took time to understand my child's specific learning style and provided tools that would be engaging. She was kind and empathetic- really … More made it her goal to connect with my child and build trust and rapport. My child started the school year with confidence and without the typically "brain-drain" that occurs over the summer, thanks to Gillian.
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I am going into my second year as a Themba tutor. I have met so many great individuals while working for this company. Craig and the rest of the Themba team do such an excellent job picking and choosing Themba tutors that suit each client's … More individual needs! I look forward to meeting new tutors and clients in the 2021-2022 school year!
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Our son started in a new high school, 100% remote, and was really struggling with Latin and Physics. I found Themba Tudors online and had an initial call with Craig, who was very knowledgeable, responsive, and found 2 amazing tutors for … More us. Both the Latin and the physics tutors were fantastic, connected with my son really well and helped him go from 'failing' grade to 'honors'! I will for sure continue using (and recommending!) Themba Tutors. Thank you, C, K, and W!
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Brian is a fantastic executive functioning coach. Super helpful, flexible with hours, and tailored the experience to our needs.
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Giulia Mercuri is a great Italian tutor! She was very responsive and accessible. Giulia put a ton of effort into preparing for each session and really helped our son with test preparation and projects. We are grateful that she was able … More to help, especially since our son did not receive any live teaching during COVID. We are happy that she was referred to us!
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As an adult student diagnosed with a learning disability during grad school, I knew I needed help dealing with my Master's program's demanding workload. I was seriously considering dropping out when I was referred to Themba Tutors. … More I was paired up with a wonderful tutor, Julie, who was a total lifesaver. I learned many techniques that I can utilize in the future as I embark on the next phase of my career.
I can wholeheartedly say after working with Themba for two years that I would not have finished my program without this organization. And I am so thankful I selected them. -
We were introduced to a wonderful tutor: Mcedwyn. He and our son, a freshman in college, worked well together. As a result, our son’s grades significantly improved. The tutor taught our son subject content and various methods to effectively … More study for quizzes and exams. Our son was also taught time management and organization. My son’s experience with the tutor made the first year of college a less intimidating experience.
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We have been with our tutor, Cailin Schiller, for two years, from 5th - 7th grade. She started as an executive functioning tutor with my daughter. From the start, she demonstrated a depth of expertise and a selective use of techniques skillfully … More adapted to my daughter’s ADHD and Math disability. Cailin made Math accessible and understandable to her in a way that even her teachers had not been able to do. She differentiated reading, writing and math tasks and assignments to tailor them to my daughter’s unique learning differences. Not only did it have an effect on her grades and her work efficiency, but she finally could do her work with less anxiety. Even my daughter’s teachers used Cailin’s guidance to modify their work with her. But most importantly, she became my daughter’s favorite resource. I can’t say how invaluable Cailin has been to my daughter’s progress and well-being. I’d recommend her a million times over. She is a gem.
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Victoria is a superb tutor. She helped my high school age daughter with her writing. Victoria's skills as a tutor, as well as her sense of humor and her engaging personality went a long way with my daughter.
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Themba Tutors provided a leaning specialist that was a perfect fit for my daughter. I told them what we were looking for and they delivered. Our tutor is responsive and flexible and makes it easy for my daughter to reach out to her own … More her own, which gives her an added sense of responsibility over her learning. As a therapist myself, I now regularly recommend Themba to my patients. A much needed and well provided service to the community!!
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The tutors at Themba are fantastic! Caitlyn McNeill helped our son academically, but also with getting organized in every subject, which he so desperately needed. She offered great advice and useful strategies that helped our son become … More a more successful student. We are using Themba tutors again this year for our daughter. We're so happy to have been referred to them!
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I'm so glad we were referred to Themba Tutors. After a great initial conversation to learn our needs, we were connected with an excellent tutor, Felicia, who is helping our high school daughter learn better organizational and executive … More skills. Highly recommended.
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We had a wonderful experience with our tutor Micaela. She helped our son not only academically but at every level. We will be forever grateful to have her in our lives.
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The tutors at Themba are fantastic! Caitlyn McNeill helped our son academically, but also with getting organized in every subject, which he so desperately needed. She offered great advice and useful strategies that helped our son become … More a more successful student. We are using Themba tutors again this year for our daughter. We're so happy to have been referred to them!
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Paul Smith at Themba has been an exceptional tutor for my son, both in terms of teaching the subject matter and teaching how best to approach the process of learning math and executing assignments. We feel very fortunate to be working with … More Paul.
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We were very lucky to have found Edwouine Swift, my son's therapist through Themba Tutors. Thomas is 12 years old, and it is extremely difficult to get him to write. Edwouine just works her magic with him, he adores her and is so … More eager to follow her guidance. I have no doubt she will be a positive driving force in his academic future.
NLD vs. ADHD:
Understanding Key Differences with Themba Tutors in NYC
Why It’s Important to Distinguish Between NLD and ADHD
Both Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affect learning, organization, and social interactions. However, they are distinct conditions that require different support strategies. Many students with NLD are misdiagnosed with ADHD because of overlapping attention challenges, leading to ineffective interventions. Understanding the key differences can help parents, educators, and students access the right resources for success.
Students with NLD or ADHD may struggle with:
✅ Time management and organization
✅ Understanding social interactions and cues
✅ Following multi-step directions and completing assignments
✅ Processing nonverbal information and problem-solving
At Themba Tutors, we provide executive function coaching in NYC to help students with NLD and ADHD improve their organization, time management, and learning strategies.
📌 Learn how EF coaching supports students with learning differences.
👉 NLD vs. ADHD Key Differences PDF Here 👈
What Are the Key Differences Between NLD and ADHD?
While NLD and ADHD share some overlapping symptoms, they have distinct cognitive and behavioral characteristics that require tailored support.
| Key Differences | NLD | ADHD |
| Verbal Communication | Strong verbal skills | Can struggle with speech organization |
| Nonverbal Skills | Weak—difficulty with body language, facial expressions, and tone | Normal—interprets nonverbal cues better than NLD students |
| Attention Issues | More issues with visual details and spatial awareness | More issues with focus, impulsivity, and hyperactivity |
| Social Challenges | Misinterprets social cues, struggles with sarcasm and humor | Interrupts conversations, forgets social rules |
| Motor Coordination | Often clumsy, struggles with spatial awareness | Usually normal motor coordination |
Students with NLD struggle with visual-spatial reasoning and social awareness, while students with ADHD have difficulty with impulsivity, focus, and hyperactivity.
At Themba Tutors, we create customized executive function coaching programs to address the unique challenges of each condition, helping students improve learning, communication, and daily life skills.
📌 Find out how executive function coaching supports students with NLD and ADHD.
Understanding Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD)
Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD) is a learning disability that affects visual-spatial reasoning and social understanding. Unlike ADHD, students with NLD typically have strong verbal skills but struggle with interpreting nonverbal communication, organization, and motor coordination.
Common Signs of NLD:
✅ Strong verbal communication skills but difficulty understanding body language and tone
✅ Struggles with spatial awareness, making it difficult to judge distances or directions
✅ Challenges with problem-solving and understanding abstract concepts
✅ Difficulty making and maintaining friendships due to missing social cues
✅ Clumsiness and difficulty with motor coordination
Our related guide on NLD vs. Autism explores overlapping traits and distinctions, particularly where social and executive functioning challenges converge.
How EF Coaching Helps Students with NLD
📌 Social skills training to improve nonverbal communication and peer interactions
📌 Visual organization tools like planners and task charts to strengthen spatial awareness
📌 Step-by-step learning strategies to help with abstract thinking and problem-solving
At Themba Tutors, we provide personalized coaching to help students with NLD build confidence in organization, social skills, and learning strategies.
📌 Discover how executive function coaching helps students with NLD thrive.
Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects focus, impulse control, and time management. Unlike NLD, ADHD students struggle more with attention and executive function skills rather than social perception.
Common Signs of ADHD:
✅ Easily distracted and struggles to maintain focus on tasks
✅ Impulsive behavior, difficulty waiting turns, and frequent interruptions
✅ Hyperactivity in some cases, leading to fidgeting and excessive movement
✅ Disorganized and struggles with keeping track of assignments and deadlines
✅ Forgets instructions and has difficulty completing long-term projects
How EF Coaching Helps Students with ADHD
📌 Time management strategies to help prioritize assignments and deadlines
📌 Impulse control techniques to improve focus and task completion
📌 Task breakdown methods to reduce procrastination and improve study habits
At Themba Tutors, we specialize in helping ADHD students develop executive function strategies to improve focus, organization, and academic success.
Diagnosis & Support for NLD and ADHD
Proper diagnosis is essential to providing the right interventions for students.
📝 NLD Diagnosis: Identified through neuropsychological testing, focusing on spatial awareness, problem-solving, and social perception.
📝 ADHD Diagnosis: Diagnosed through behavioral assessments, focusing on attention, impulsivity, and executive function challenges.
🧠 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the difference between ADHD and NLD?
While ADHD and NLD share some overlapping symptoms like difficulty with organization and executive functioning, they are distinct conditions:
- NLD: Characterized by strong verbal skills but significant challenges with visual-spatial reasoning, nonverbal communication, and motor coordination. Students with NLD often misinterpret body language, tone, and facial expressions.
- ADHD: Defined by impulsivity, inattention, and sometimes hyperactivity. Students with ADHD may interrupt conversations, struggle to focus, and forget instructions but generally have typical nonverbal skills.
Each condition requires specific strategies to support learning, focus, and social development.
2. How can you tell the difference between ADHD and intellectual disability?
Though not directly discussed, your content suggests that ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition focused on attention, impulsivity, and executive functioning, whereas intellectual disability typically involves significant limitations in cognitive functioning and adaptive behavior across various areas, including reasoning, learning, and problem-solving.
ADHD students often show average to above-average intelligence but struggle with task execution and focus, while intellectual disabilities affect the overall pace and capacity of learning.
3. What is the key difference between nonverbal and language learning disabilities?
The key difference lies in how each condition affects communication:
- Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD): Students have strong verbal language skills but struggle with nonverbal communication, spatial reasoning, and interpreting body language or tone.
- Language-Based Learning Disabilities: Involve challenges with processing and using spoken or written language, such as difficulties with reading, writing, or comprehension.
NLD affects social awareness and spatial tasks, while language-based learning disabilities focus more on literacy and verbal expression.
4. What is the difference between ADHD and attention and concentration deficit?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but your content clarifies that:
- ADHD includes attention deficits, but also involves impulsivity, hyperactivity, and broader executive function challenges.
- Attention and concentration deficits may be a symptom or subset of ADHD, but can also occur independently due to other conditions like anxiety or learning disabilities.
ADHD is a clinical diagnosis, while attention/concentration issues might reflect broader challenges that require targeted support.
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Call: (917) 382-8641, Text: (833) 565-2370
Email: [email protected]
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Craig Selinger
Latest posts by Craig Selinger (see all)
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