Governor of Minnesota Tim Waltz and his wife, GwenShe spoke candidly about her experiences raising her son. gasHe was diagnosed with Non-Verbal Learning Disorder (NVLD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and anxiety disorder.
On Wednesday, Walz confirmed that she had given birth to her first child after formally accepting the Democratic Party's vice presidential nomination. HopeThe 23-year-old, his 17-year-old son and wife cheered them on as he spoke before a cheering crowd.
Many were touched by the emotional moment when a tearful Gus pointed to his father and exclaimed, “That's my dad!”
The teenager's ebullience struck a chord, quickly went viral and may have become the iconic image of his father's speech. The moment further humanized the politician as a dedicated parent and underscored his down-to-earth appeal as a teacher, football coach and man who enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1981 and retired as a master sergeant in 2005.
The father of two reposted the video to X, writing, “My kids keep me humble.”
Over time, the Waltzes came to understand that Gus's NVLD, ADHD, and anxiety disorder shaped the way he interacted with the world in a unique way. The couple repeatedly viewed these conditions not as flaws, but rather as part of what makes Gus special. They affectionately refer to these conditions as his “secret powers.”
Here's everything you need to know about one of his abilities: NVLD.
What is NVLD?
Nonverbal learning disorder, also known as nonverbal learning disability (NVLD), is a neurological condition that primarily affects the nonverbal aspects of learning and social interaction.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, nonverbal learning disorders affect how a child absorbs and uses information, but they can be managed with interventions that help affected individuals learn in alternative ways. “Nonverbal” in this case is different from “non-speaking.”
People with NVLD often excel in language skills such as vocabulary and reading comprehension, but struggle with non-verbal cues and tasks that involve visual-spatial processing, motor skills, and social interaction.
“As our youngest son, Gus, grew up, it became increasingly clear that he was different from his classmates,” he told People magazine in early August. “He preferred to play video games and spend time alone.”
Diagnosing NVLD usually requires a comprehensive evaluation by a psychologist or neuropsychologist, including cognitive and academic evaluations and observation of social interactions.
“Like many American families, we took some time to think about how we could do all we could to help Gus succeed as he grows,” they said.
Treatment for NVLD usually involves a combination of the following:
Educational Support: Adapt learning strategies to individual strengths (e.g., using verbal instructions rather than visual aids).
Occupational Therapy: Helps improve motor skills and visual-spatial abilities.
Social Skills Training: Help individuals better understand and respond to social cues.
Psychological Therapy: Address any emotional or psychological challenges, such as anxiety or depression, that may result from difficulties related to NVLD.