What is the Difference Between NVLD and Autism

NVLD and autism are two neurodevelopmental disorders that have overlapping symptoms. A person can be diagnosed with autism in addition to NVLD. However, a person diagnosed with ASD does not necessarily have NVLD, and vice versa.

The key difference between NVLD and autism is that NVLD is a specific learning disability, while autism is not a specific learning disability.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is NVLD 
3. What is Autism
4. Similarities – NVLD and Autism
5. NVLD vs Autism in Tabular Form
6. Summary – NVLD vs Autism
7. FAQ – NVLD and Autism

What is NVLD?

NVLD (nonverbal learning disability) is a specific learning disability. It causes a core deficit in visual-spatial processing. People with this disorder may have difficulty in gripping a pencil, tying shoelaces, using scissors, throwing a ball, riding a bike, avoiding bumping into things, staying focussed on a task, multitasking, planning ahead, staying organized, writing essays, telling stories, drawing geometric shapes, solving mathematics problems, understanding graphs and maps, interpreting social cues, reading facial expressions and body languages, understanding humor, idioms, and sarcasm, and making friends. NVLD is caused by the dysfunction of the right hemisphere of the brain.

NVLD can be diagnosed through questionnaires, physical examinations, and brain scans. Furthermore, people with NVLD are treated through cognitive behavioral therapy, occupational therapy, and educational interventions.

What is Autism?

Autism is a complicated lifelong communication and behavioural disorder. It is also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The symptoms of this condition appear at the age of 2 to 3. The common symptoms of autism may include a lack of eye contact, a narrow range of interest, doing something over and over, high sensitivity to sounds, touches, smells, or sight, not looking at or listening, not looking at things when another person points at you, not wanting to be held or cuddled, problems understanding or using speech, gestures or facial expressions, talking in a sing-song, flat or robotic voice, and trouble adapting to changes in routine. Autism stems from problems in parts of the brain that interpret sensory input and process language.

Autism can be diagnosed using the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and psychological evaluation. Furthermore, treatment options for autism may include medications such as antipsychotic drugs behaviour and communication therapy, education therapy, family therapy, speech therapy to improve communication skills, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.

Similarities Between NVLD and Autism

1. NVLD and autism are two neurodevelopmental disorders.
2. Both are caused by problems in the brain.
3. Both may have overlapping symptoms, such as staying focused on tasks, reading facial expressions, etc.
4. Both can be diagnosed through physical examination and psychological evaluation.
5. They can be treated through therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy.

Difference Between NVLD and Autism

Definition

1. NVLD is a disorder rooted in a core deficit of visual-spatial processing.
2. Autism is a communication and behavioural disorder.

Causes

1. NVLD is caused by a dysfunction of the right hemisphere of the brain.
2. Autism is caused due to problems in parts of the brain that interpret sensory input and process language.

Symptoms

1. Symptoms of NVLD include trouble processing visual imagery, problems with higher order comprehension, struggle with mathematics concepts, trouble with planning and organization and trouble with social skills.
2. Symptoms of autism include difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, perseverative interests, stereotypic body movements, rigid routines, and hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input.

Diagnosis

1. NVLD can be diagnosed by questionnaires, physical examinations, and brain scans.
2. Autism can be diagnosed by DSM-5 criteria and psychological evaluation.

Treatment

1. NVLD is treated with cognitive behavioral therapy, occupational therapy, and educational interventions.
2. Autism is treated with medications (antipsychotic drugs), behaviour and communication therapy, education therapy, family therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.

The following table summarizes the difference between NVLD and autism.

Summary – NVLD vs Autism

NVLD and autism are two neurodevelopmental disorders. NVLD is a specific learning disorder characterised by a core deficit in visual-spatial processing. On the other hand, autism is not a specific learning disability, and it is characterised by communication and behavioural problems. This is the summary of the difference between NVLD and autism.

FAQ: NVLD and Autism

1. What are the symptoms of NVLD?

• The common symptoms of NVLD are an inability to read nonverbal social cues, difficulty in identifying and understanding humor, difficulty recognizing emotions in others, trouble understanding visual information and imagery, trouble grasping spatial relationships, and poor physical coordination.

2. Can NVLD be cured?

• There is no cure for NVLD. However, symptoms can be improved through cognitive behavioral therapy, occupational therapy, and educational interventions (special accommodations can be made in the classroom to address specific learning deficits).

3. What are the main symptoms of autism?

• The main symptoms of autism are little or no babbling, little or no eye contact, showing more interest in objects than people, appearing not to hear when spoken to directly, playing with toys in an unusual manner, repetitive movements with fingers, hands, arms or head.

4. How is autism caused?

• The exact cause of autism is not well understood. Scientists have found rare gene changes, or mutations, as well as small common genetic variations in people with autism. These genetic changes lead to defects in parts of the brain that interpret sensory input and process language.

5. Can autism live a normal life?

• A person with autism can live a normal life with the right support and resources. Early intervention, educational support, community support, and cognitive behavioral therapy can help people with autism achieve their goals and lead fulfilling lives.

Reference:

1. Gupta, Sanjana. “What Is Nonverbal Learning Disability (NVLD)?” Verywell Mind, Verywell Mind.
2. “Autism Spectrum Disorder.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Signs of Autism” By MissLunaRose12 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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