title: Nonverbal learning disabilities: a critical review.
abstract: This article presents a critical review of the term and concept of nonverbal learning disability (NLD). After a brief historical introduction, the article focuses on the apparent rarity of NLD; the hypothesis of the frequent co-occurrence of emotional disorder, depression, and suicide in NLD; the white matter hypothesis as an explanation of the origin of NLD; and the question of NLD as part of a variety of other disorders. It is argued that NLD presents a broad hypothesis, but that there is little evidence to support its use in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, Victoria , B.C., Canada. spreen@uvic.ca
authors.forename: Otfried
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Spreen
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D009633:Nonverbal Communication; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales