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. 2020 Apr 1;3(4):e202551.
doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.2551.

Estimated Prevalence of Nonverbal Learning Disability Among North American Children and Adolescents

Amy E Margolis  1 , Jessica Broitman  2 , John M Davis  3 , Lindsay Alexander  4 , Ava Hamilton  5 , Zhijie Liao  6   7 , Sarah Banker  1 , Lauren Thomas  1 , Bruce Ramphal  1 , Giovanni A Salum  8   9 , Kathleen Merikangas  10 , Jeff Goldsmith  11 , Tomas Paus  6   7   12 , Katherine Keyes  5 , Michael P Milham  4   13
Affiliations

Estimated Prevalence of Nonverbal Learning Disability Among North American Children and Adolescents

Amy E Margolis et al. JAMA Netw Open. .

Abstract

Importance: Nonverbal learning disability (NVLD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in visual-spatial processing but not in reading or verbal ability; in addition, problems in math calculation, visual executive functioning, fine-motor skills, and social skills are often present. To our knowledge, there are no population-based estimates of the prevalence of NVLD in community samples.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of the NVLD cognitive profile in 3 independent samples of children and adolescents from studies centered around brain imaging in the US and Canada.

Design, setting, and participants: This cross-sectional study used data from 2 samples recruited from the community and overselected for children with psychiatric disorders (Healthy Brain Network [HBN], January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2019, and Nathan Kline Institute-Rockland Sample [NKI], January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2018) and 1 community-ascertained population sample (Saguenay Youth Study [SYS], January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2012) overselected for active maternal smoking during pregnancy.

Main outcomes and measures: Prevalence of NVLD. Criteria for NVLD were based on clinical records of deficits in visual-spatial reasoning and impairment in 2 of 4 domains of function (fine-motor skills, math calculation, visual executive functioning, and social skills). Sample weighting procedures adjusted for demographic differences in sample frequencies compared with underlying target populations. Inflation factor weights accounted for overrepresentation of psychiatric disorders (HBN and NKI samples).

Results: Across 3 independent samples, the prevalence of NVLD was estimated among 2596 children and adolescents aged 6 to 19 years (mean [SD] age, 12.5 [3.4] years; 1449 male [55.8%]). After sample and inflation weights were applied, the prevalence of NVLD was 2.78% (95% CI, 2.03%-3.52%) in the HBN sample and 3.9% (95% CI, 1.96%-5.78%) in the NKI sample. In the SYS sample, the prevalence of NVLD was 3.10% (95% CI, 1.93%-4.27%) after applying the sample weight. Across samples and estimation strategies, the population prevalence of NVLD was estimated to range from 3% to 4%. When applied to the US population younger than 18 years, 2.2 million to 2.9 million children and adolescents were estimated to have NVLD.

Conclusions and relevance: The findings suggest that the prevalence of NVLD in children and adolescents may be 3% to 4%. Given that few youths are diagnosed with NVLD and receive treatment, increased awareness, identification of the underlying neurobiological mechanisms, and development and testing interventions for the disorder are needed.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr Keyes reported receiving personal fees from multidistrict litigation and New York State outside the submitted work. No other disclosures were reported.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders in Healthy Brain Network (HBN) and Nathan Kline Institute (NKI) Samples vs Prevalence in the US
A and B, Points closer to the identity line represent the convergence of sample and population estimates. C and D, The extent to which a disorder is overrepresented varies with the extent to which the disorder lies on a spectrum from internalizing to externalizing or disruptive behaviors. ADHD indicates attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; SLD, specific learning disorder.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. Unweighted and Sample Weighted Rates of Psychiatric Diagnoses Among Participants With Nonverbal Learning Disorder in Healthy Brain Network (HBN) and Nathan Kline Institute (NKI) Samples
ADHD indicates attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; SLD, specific learning disorder.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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