I dont think so, in super broad terms (of course we know that these rules are never hard and fast and there are going to be kids with AS who are not this way and same for NLD) I think people think of AS kids as having visual strengths and a harder time with auditory/verbal communication. Whereas NonVerbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) kids are thought to have struggles with visual processing and other visual skills... SO their IQ subtests for example may show really good scores for the kinds of tasks that are presented to them verbally and really significantly lower scores for the kinds of tasks that require more visual skill
here is one of many compare/contrast articles but every time I have read any of this, the bottom line is there are always exceptions and we simply have to really pay attention to our own kids learning style, how they process information the best etc. Is NonVerbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) even in the DSM V proposal? I don't think it is even an official diagnosis in that sense (not saying it is not real, it clearly is an issue) but in terms of getting service I guess it is good to know about it but stick to the Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) diagnosis if you can get that so services can be obtained. For you, you have to privately pay for most things anyway, right? so may be a different situation in that respect.
http://www.nldontheweb.org/nldadvancedreading/aspergersdisordernld.html
here is a discussion on this board where a guest put a comparison but I dont know where the list originated or if it is valid, just seemed interesting:
http://www.conductdisorders.com/com...rgers-adhd-High-Functioning Autism (HFA).155/
I wish brains would read the books and divide themselves up in a way that we could take a picture and make an easy diagnosis! LOL
oh and to answer the question, I think it is more that many NonVerbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) kids could meet Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) criteria. Again, we all know that is not true for many others.