From Ann Logsdon,
Your Guide to Learning Disabilities.
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Definition:

Nonverbal Intelligence:

The ability to analyze information and solve problems using visual, or hands-on reasoning.

Nonverbal tasks may involve concepts such as:

• Concrete or abstract ideas;
• Internalized language-based reasoning; and / or
• Internalized reasoning without language.

Nonverbal tasks involve skills such as:

• The ability to recognize visual sequences and remember them;
• Understanding the meaning of visual information and recognizing relationships between visual concepts;
• Performing visual analogies; and
• Recognition of causal relationships in pictured situations.

Nonverbal intelligence is important because it enables students to analyze and solve complex problems without relying upon or being limited by language abilities. Many mathematical concepts, physics problems, computer science tasks, and science problems require strong nonverbal reasoning skills.

Nonverbal intelligence is typically assessed in extended IQ tests. Brief intelligence tests or screening instruments do not generally assess nonverbal intelligence. It may also be assessed by instruments designed to measure speech and language abilities.

Also Known As: Similar terms - visual reasoning, abstract reasoning