Theory of mind and the nonverbal learning disability syndrome, analysis of case studies

grantor: University of TorontoWe assessed 5 children on Theory of Mind, nonverbal abilities, and intellectual functioning tasks. Three of the children who were identified as having a Nonverbal Learning Disability syndrome (NLD) demonstrated impairment on higher order Theory of Mind (ToM) tasks and on nonverbal tasks even though their verbal skills were in the average to superior range. Results are discussed in terms of the relationship between nonverbal abilities, Central Drive for Coherence, and Theory of Mind, as well as the role of the right cerebral hemisphere as one of the potential, common mediating structures for these functions.M.A