NLD Networking Group of Ontario - "learning differently... outside the box"

Dr. Maggie Mamen
C.Psych

Do NLD children ever show tendencies toward restricted interests or is this more specific to Aspergers?

Our 11 year old son was diagnosed with NLD three years ago but tends to develop strong interests of a singular nature that change from time to time. I'm wondering if he has been misdiagnosed. We have never noticed ritualistic or repetitive behaviours but he does get strongly focussed on particular areas. Is this more suggestive of Aspergers or does it occur in NLD children as well? When I read the criteria of both syndromes, he seems to fit both pretty closely.

Narrow interests are not specific to Asperger's Syndrome. Many normal, introverted individuals have a deep interest in a restricted number of areas, rather than a relatively shallow interest in a broad range, as many extroverts do. Individuals with NLD who are highly verbal will often acquire facts and information at an extremely advanced and detailed level. In addition, NLD individuals who are introverts, especially those who are from families of introverts where similar patterns are learned, are often concentrate on one or two issues at a time, although the topics may change focus over time. Generally speaking, individuals with NLD enjoy conversing and being with others who have similar interests, even though they often prefer to talk than to listen!

The "narrow interests" of those with Asperger's Syndrome, High Functioning Autism or related autism-spectrum disorders tend to be extremely narrow and quite obsessive, often to the exclusion of anything else. They are often not interested in hearing others talk about the same topic(s), and tend not to use an issue as a point of contact with other people. If you read "Asperger's, Huh?" by Dr. Rosina Schnurr, you will get a good idea of the "obsessive" nature of an AS youngster with a narrow interest.

It is important when trying to differentiate between NLD and AS to ensure that a full psychological assessment has been conducted to see whether an NLD profile is indeed present (i.e., thinking and reasoning skills average or above, measurable learning difficulties, and significant deficits in one or more of the psychological processes related to learning). AS is presently diagnosed by means of checklists, not by psychological assessment, and thus is a subjective clinical judgment.

Because NLD and AS on the surface seem to share some behavioural characteristics, they may appear to be somewhat similar in some respects. It is important to know that this issue is being debated among the various professionals involved, and there are varying viewpoints with respect to these two disorders. It is very much a "work in progress." Many of the suggestions that are made for AS children can be used for youngsters with NLD - often with a greater measure of success

Dr. Maggie Mamen is a psychologist in private practice in Nepean, Ontario, who specializes in working with children, adolescents and their families. She gives frequent workshops and seminars and has taught university courses on child development and exceptional children since 1981.


Home News Meetings & Conferences Articles Links & Resources Ask the Expert Chapters Books	Dr. Maggie Mamen C.Psych Q. *Do NLD children ever show tendencies toward restricted interests or is this more specific to Aspergers?* Our 11 year old son was diagnosed with NLD three years ago but tends to develop strong interests of a singular nature that change from time to time. I'm wondering if he has been misdiagnosed. We have never noticed ritualistic or repetitive behaviours but he does get strongly focussed on particular areas. Is this more suggestive of Aspergers or does it occur in NLD children as well? When I read the criteria of both syndromes, he seems to fit both pretty closely. A. Narrow interests are not specific to Asperger's Syndrome. Many normal, introverted individuals have a deep interest in a restricted number of areas, rather than a relatively shallow interest in a broad range, as many extroverts do. Individuals with NLD who are highly verbal will often acquire facts and information at an extremely advanced and detailed level. In addition, NLD individuals who are introverts, especially those who are from families of introverts where similar patterns are learned, are often concentrate on one or two issues at a time, although the topics may change focus over time. Generally speaking, individuals with NLD enjoy conversing and being with others who have similar interests, even though they often prefer to talk than to listen! The "narrow interests" of those with Asperger's Syndrome, High Functioning Autism or related autism-spectrum disorders tend to be extremely narrow and quite obsessive, often to the exclusion of anything else. They are often not interested in hearing others talk about the same topic(s), and tend not to use an issue as a point of contact with other people. If you read "Asperger's, Huh?" by Dr. Rosina Schnurr, you will get a good idea of the "obsessive" nature of an AS youngster with a narrow interest. It is important when trying to differentiate between NLD and AS to ensure that a full psychological assessment has been conducted to see whether an NLD profile is indeed present (i.e., thinking and reasoning skills average or above, measurable learning difficulties, and significant deficits in one or more of the psychological processes related to learning). AS is presently diagnosed by means of checklists, not by psychological assessment, and thus is a subjective clinical judgment. Because NLD and AS on the surface seem to share some behavioural characteristics, they may appear to be somewhat similar in some respects. It is important to know that this issue is being debated among the various professionals involved, and there are varying viewpoints with respect to these two disorders. It is very much a "work in progress." Many of the suggestions that are made for AS children can be used for youngsters with NLD - often with a greater measure of success Dr. Maggie Mamen is a psychologist in private practice in Nepean, Ontario, who specializes in working with children, adolescents and their families. She gives frequent workshops and seminars and has taught university courses on child development and exceptional children since 1981.
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