Expert: Michelle Fattig - 3/5/2008

Question
Hi Michelle,

I'm wondering what you know about non-verbal learning disorder? My son was just tested by a well respected Develpmental Psychologist who studied at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She found that my son had a VIQ of 134 and a PIQ of 108. He will turn 3 next month. I was suprised during the testing because he can normally figure out a 16 piece puzzle but couldn't do 4 pieces of a fish during the eval. Could there be an error in these tests or does it mean anything at this age? He had an overall IQ of 124 and there was nothing noted about NVLD it the report, but in my research I know this is a big discrepancy. He has many of the motoric associated things (balance, not wanting to use utensils and left side weakness). Socially he is average. He speaks normally with inflection, can read someones face, jokes and can visually descibe and recall events going back 6 months. It was also noted during the eval that he plays creatively with toys. Should I be concerned about this or does their have to be more?

Thanks!

Answer
Very interesting.  This is a link that you may find helpful:

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/114/5/S2/1458

Also, you may consider completing the checklist at:
http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/SPD-symptom-checklist-for-infants-and...

When he creatively plays with toys, is he truly playing creatively?  Or, does he arrange and manipulate them, sometimes in elaborate fashion?  It can be difficult to determine what the true "label" may be, but I tend to believe that labels do not matter or define.  If he is a happy, well adjusted little boy, with some fine motor difficulties, I would recommend activities at:
http://www.google.com/search?q=fine+motor+activities&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.micros...

However, if you are concerned behaviorally, sensory processing, socially, emotionally, or communicatively, I would recommend providing the sensory checklist, IQ results, and detailed family history to the local school district and requesting a comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation in order to determine if he would benefit from early services or therapy at no charge to parents (free appropriate public eduation).  I hope this is of help to you, and I wish you the best.