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Presented by: Dr. Allyson Harrison Ph.D, Associate Professor of Psychology and Clinical Director of the Regional Assessment & Resource Centre, Queen’s University
Grade level: ALL
About the webinar:
Non-verbal learning disability (NVLD) is a frequently misunderstood and misused diagnosis. You may have heard non-verbal learning disabilities described as a cluster of difficulties that are primarily in non-language areas, but what does this really mean? And more importantly, if a student in your class has been diagnosed with NVLD do you know how to support him or her?
In this webinar, participants will be provided with the history of the research and diagnosis of NVLD and asked to think critically about the criteria for diagnosis. Participants will also see how a diagnosis of NVLD can overlap with other LDs and developmental disorders. Lastly, this webinar will provide interventions that educators can put into place to help students with NVLD function more effectively in an academic environment.
By the end of this webinar, participants will:
- Understand how NVLD is diagnosed
- Be able to discern between the myths and realities of NVLD
- Walk away from the presentation with tools and interventions proven to support students with NVLD
About the presenter:

Dr. Allyson Harrison received her Ph.D. in psychology from Queens University, Kingston, in 1992. She is currently the Clinical Director of the Regional Assessment & Resource Centre at Queen’s University, a government funded program that provides Psychological assessments to postsecondary students Province-wide. In addition, she holds an appointment as an Associate professor in the department of Clinical Psychology at Queen’s. Over and above her clinical practice, she has been active both nationally and internationally, providing continuing education on issues related to LDs and ADHD. Her areas of research interest are in assessment and differential diagnosis of LD and ADHD, and she has published over a dozen articles in peer-reviewed journals. She is also a member of the editorial board of the Canadian Journal of School Psychology, Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, and The Clinical Neuropsychologist.
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