Nonverbal Learning Disability Is More Common Than Previously Thought

As many as 1 in 25 children and adolescents in the U.S. and Canada may have nonverbal learning disability.

Nonverbal learning disability (NVLD) is characterized by deficits in visual-spatial, math, and social skills due to difficulties reading nonverbal cues. Because of a lack of clinical consensus about how to define NVLD, it has not been included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and prevalence in the general population is unknown. These authors conducted a secondary analysis of three population-based U.S. and Canadian studies that involved neuropsychological testing of children and adolescents aged 5 to19 years. The authors used the following criteria to define NVLD:

Low visual-spatial intelligence scores (≤16th percentile) or ≥15-point discrepancy between verbal and visual-spatial abilities.
Deficits in at le…

Reviewing Author

Jenny Radesky, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMelissa & Doug Toys (Consultant and Board of Directors)

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute for Child Health and Development; National Institutes of Health

Jenny Radesky, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMelissa & Doug Toys (Consultant and Board of Directors)

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute for Child Health and Development; National Institutes of Health

Nonverbal Learning Disability Is More Common Than Previously Thought

Topics

Reviewing Author