As a group, children with myelomeningocele (MM) and early-onset
hydrocephalus demonstrate many of the features of the syndrome
of nonverbal learning disabilities (NLD). However, the frequency
with which individual children display a pattern of
neuropsychological functioning consistent with the NLD syndrome
is unknown. We addressed this question by comparing the prevalence
of NLD in 32 children with MM and shunted hydrocephalus to that
in a group of 27 healthy siblings. Participants, who were between
8 and 15 years of age, completed a neuropsychological test battery
that included 11 measures of possible assets and 17 measures
of possible deficits that define the NLD syndrome. As a group,
children with MM and shunted hydrocephalus displayed many of
the specific assets and deficits. However, they also displayed
significantly more variability in their patterns of assets and
deficits than siblings, reflecting the substantial individual
differences that characterize children with MM. About 50% of
the children with myelomeningocele displayed a pattern of assets
and deficits consistent with the NLD syndrome. Classification
as NLD was weakly related to cumulative medical risk, as well
as to left-handedness. The findings suggest a need for caution
in making generalizations regarding the applicability of the
NLD model to children with MM and early-onset hydrocephalus.
(JINS, 2003, 9, 653–662.)
Left-handedness and specific signs of the learning disabilities by children
