The Lemle Clinic Will Assess and Treat Patients & Promote Understanding of NVLD
On Sept. 16, Yeshiva University's Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology launched The Lemle Clinic, a first-of-its-kind clinic dedicated to assessing and treating the challenges that individuals with Non-Verbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) experience. This groundbreaking clinic, located in Ferkauf’s Rousso Building at 1165 Morris Park Avenue in the Bronx, marks a significant advancement in the care and understanding of NVLD.
NVLD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by various cognitive challenges, visual-spatial integration difficulties, motor-skill deficits, and difficulties comprehending nonverbal information such as body language and facial expressions. Due to the lack of widespread recognition and specialized care, individuals with NVLD often face social barriers and marginalization. Yeshiva University's new clinic is a pivotal first step in addressing these challenges by offering comprehensive assessment and treatment services tailored to individuals with NVLD.
As the lead donor for the clinic, Dr. Laura Lemle is the founder of The NVLD Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness, building support, and furthering understanding of NVLD. Dr. Lemle’s vision for the clinic stems from her personal experience; her daughter was diagnosed with NVLD at five years old. She emphasizes the challenges that many face in receiving proper treatment due to the lack of formal recognition of NVLD as a disorder. Through this clinic, she hopes to provide much-needed care and resources for those with NVLD.
“Many clinicians not only have never heard about NVLD but also do not know how to treat this disorder,” said Dr. Lemle. “The clinic and the educational curriculum at Ferkauf graduate school is going to begin to change all that."
The Lemle Clinic will provide assessment and therapy services to people with NVLD. It features three assessment/treatment rooms, a family conference room, a waiting area, and dedicated teaching and training spaces for research and education. For those with NVLD interested in services, please call (646) 592-4540 or email: lemleclinic@hushmail.com.
The clinic will have a crucial education feature, allowing Ferkauf graduate students to gain insight into treating individuals with NVLD and become the next generation of much needed mental health and education professionals who are adequately informed about this disorder in order to provide the best care possible. Adjacent to the clinic is a seminar room where graduate students will receive instruction on assessing and treating individuals with NVLD. The clinic also includes a workspace for graduate students to prepare clinic cases, work on assessment reports, and review therapy materials.
"The shortage of services for individuals with NVLD is largely due to the limited number of mental health and educational professionals who are knowledgeable about this disorder," said Dr. Leslie Halpern, Dean of Yeshiva University's Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. "We are pleased to launch the Lemle Clinic and bring our research and dedicated therapists to help people who have NVLD."
In addition to direct clinical care, Ferkauf is incorporating NVLD-focused education programs into its Master's and Doctoral curriculum. This integration reflects the school's commitment to preparing the next generation of professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to support individuals with NVLD. Moreover, Ferkauf is developing a new certificate program addressing the psychological and educational needs of individuals with developmental and learning disabilities, focusing on NVLD.
Ferkauf, in collaboration with The NVLD Project, is also dedicated to advancing research and awareness of NVLD. The clinic's efforts will include advocacy for the inclusion of NVLD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which currently lacks official recognition.
For more information about the Lemle Clinic and its services, please visit www.yu.edu/ferkauf.
