How Chris Rock Might Have Failed To See Will Smith’s Slap Coming

The importance of raising awareness for people who struggle with Nonverbal Learning Disability

Republished from www.centerforappliedtheoryofmind.com

Photo by Chendongshan on Shutterstock

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou (1928–2014)

This is a beautiful quote, although the last part might be somewhat debatable for those who have a Nonverbal Learning Disability (NVLD or NLD). People who encounter someone with NVLD risk feeling negative about the interaction afterward and these negative feelings are often attributed to the person’s character.

World-famous comedian, Chris Rock, a person who openly discusses his own NVLD diagnosis, described the impact of the disability this way:

“I’d always just chalked it up to being famous. Any time someone would respond to me in a negative way, I’d think, ‘Whatever, they’re responding to something that has to do with who they think I…