When raising a child with a learning disorder, many parents are quick to worry about the challenges their child will face. But Tim Walz sees his son Gus' non-verbal learning disorder as a strength. Ever since Democratic nominee Kamala Harris , Walz's and have been thrust into the spotlight.
Since then, the politician has been open about the he and his wife endured and their successful experience with intrauterine insemination (IUI). In recent weeks, Walz has also spoken openly about his 17-year-old son's condition, telling that he calls it Gus' "secret power." He's also shared that his son has two other conditions.
Here's what the Walz family has shared about about Gus' diagnoses. In a new interview with People, Walz and his wife, Gwen, described what their son Gus was like as a child. “When our youngest Gus was growing up, it became increasingly clear that he was different from his classmates,” they said.
“Gus preferred video games and spending more time by himself.” In his teen years, Gus learned that he had a non-verbal learning disorder (NLD), an anxiety disorder and ADHD. “Like so many American families, it took us time to figure out how to make sure we did everything we could to make sure Gus would be set up for success as he was growing up,” the couple said.
As the parents sought to better understand how to help Gus, they soon realized that their son’s conditions weren’t necessarily a negative thing. “It took time, but what became so immediately clear.