[Source: Science Daily]
A Michigan State University researcher has discovered the first anatomical evidence that the brains of children with a nonverbal learning disability — long considered a “pseudo” diagnosis — may develop differently than the brains of other children.
The finding, published in Child Neuropsychology, could ultimately help educators and clinicians better distinguish between — and treat — children with a nonverbal learning disability, or NLVD, and those with Asperger’s, or high functioning autism, which is often confused with NLVD.
“Children with nonverbal learning disabilities and Asperger’s can look very similar, but they can have very different reasons for why they behave the way they do,” said Jodene Fine, assistant professor of school psychology in MSU’s College of Education
Understanding the biological differences in children with learning and behavioral challenges could help lead to more appropriate intervention strategies.
Children with nonverbal learning disability tend to have normal language skills but below average math skills and difficulty solving visual puzzles. Because many of these kids also show difficulty understanding social cues, some experts have argued that NVLD is related to high functioning autism — which this latest study suggests may not be so.
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