What is the difference between Asperger's and PDD-NOS? Is the person an Aspie or Autistic (or Pervasive)?

It's not like someone needs a "label", but it's easier to say "I'm an Aspie" then it is to say "I have PDD-NOS or Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not otherwise specified"...



How are they nested by the way. Some places have clashing answers (which apparently is because of the DSM IV having revisions).... They call PDD an ASD condition and others say that PDD is it's own thing...



Lastly, is this just a "cop out" diagnosis because they didn't want to do further testing?What is the difference between Asperger's and PDD-NOS? Is the person an Aspie or Autistic (or Pervasive)?
'PDDNOS' can be severe to the same level of classic autism/autistic disorder or milder than aspergers,the diagnosis is given when people do not meet enough of the criteria but are accutely affected enough to be on the spectrum,so for many people who are diagnosed with it-to say they are an aspie woud be untrue,as they woud closer meet the classic autistic term 'autie',but as a rule-all are 'autistic' anyway, unless the person has issues with being associated with autism.



they use not otherwise specified in lots of conditions,for when they believe someone doesnt quite fit the main ones of that group,had once been rediagnosed with 'facial pain NOS',instead of a facial nerve condition [TN]-because the doctor didnt beleive anyone below pensioner age got it,a specialist changed it back again after seeing the classic visible symptoms,but the 'NOS' term did make a big difference in how was treated.



people will either meet criteria for spectrum disorders or not meet them as the dsm sections for them arent that long and are quite clear,its possible for some aspies to become more neurotypical seeming and be undiagnoseable as adults-so they may get a PDDNOS label then,but they usually will look at developmental history above what are like as an adult-so if did not quite meet it then woud not be given the label.



a lot of people with PDDNOS [sometimes diagnosed as 'ASD' here] have a mixture of autie [classic autistic] and aspie traits,many are mild/borderline classic autism or aspergers-woud doubt that its a form of autism in its own right [with different causes] and more of a dumping ground for borderline/mild,or moderate/severe complex cases.