What is PDD-NOS?

My son was diagnos with PDD-NOS. What is it exactly. His thearapist explained but I still don't really understand. Please help.What is PDD-NOS?
PDD-NOS is not autism. This diagnosis is given when they have some symptoms of autism, but not enough to have the Autism diagnosis. Don't misunderstand me, depending on what symptoms are showing up in the child, this diagnosis can be just as devastating to a family as an Autism diagnosis. Be sympathetic to your sister in law especially if this is a new diagnosis. The diagnosis could also be changed to Autism as the child gets older and they can run more accurate testing. It's very hard to pin point a diagnosis at the age of 3.

PDD..any type and autism are all part of what are known as the "autistic spectrum". Asperger's is on it as well. While all three have some things in common, each has it's own symptomatology..usually the degree of the symptoms is the deciding factor. You can use cancer as a way to explain it..there are many different types of cancer...some are much easier to defeat than others, some have higher re occurrence rates than others, some seem to be found more in one sex than the other..but they all fall under the heading of cancer because at it's root, they are all caused by cells that do not work or develop properly. Spectrum disorders are all similar in that these kids tend to have problems with social and communication skills, but each one is unique unto itself. PDD is not autism..but there are a lot of similarities and many of the education and behavioral approaches used for one can be just as effective with the other. Plus, with a diagnosis on the spectrum, your nephew may be eligible for services through autism outreach programs. And finally, the child will not need to adapt...PDD is part of who he is as much as his eye color. Yes, there may be challenges, but trust me when I say he will learn and grow and evolve just like any other person...just with his own special touch!What is PDD-NOS?
PDD NOS stands for pervasive developmental delays, not otherwise specified. in laymans terms, it means the child has delays in several areas, and usually has some atypical behaviors. For example, my son has PDD NOS - his speech is delayed, his social skills are delayed, his attention span is short, and he has some atypical behaviors like speech cluttering and poor eye contact at times.



PDD NOS does fall on the autism spectrum. But they are considered to be very high functioning. It is also a temporary diagnosis used in toddlers/young children. Once your child is older (around age 8 or earlier) - they can either lose the diagnosis completely, or they will give a more specific diagnosis, like Aspergers Syndrome, ADHD, communication disorders, etc.



If he's not already, I highly recommend your son be in intensive therapy to target his issues of concern. My son is 4 now, and is in a full time preschool (through the public school system) where he receives speech, occupational and physical therapy, and he's in a classroom where they work on social skills. Having this diagnosis allows you to get these services for free through either Early intervtion (birth - 3) or the public school system (age 3+)



I hope this clarifies a little bit. And to give you hope, I have many good friends who's children have been able to overcome this completely and live normal lives. My son appears to be on that trajectory as well, although he is showing some signs of ADD so who knows. But usually when you see these kids, my son included, you would not know there was a thing wrong with them. Good luck!!What is PDD-NOS?
Pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified.



1- It is usually milder than autism, with some symptoms present, and others absent. Usually, the issues focus more on social interaction.



2-



The essential features of PDD-NOS are: severe and pervasive impairment in the development of reciprocal social interaction or verbal and nonverbal communication skills; stereotyped behaviors, interests, and activities; and the criteria for Autistic Disorder are not met because of late age onset, atypical and/or sub threshold symptomotology are present. (Page 77-78)



This category should be used when there is a severe and pervasive impairment in the development of reciprocal social interaction or verbal and nonverbal communication skills, or when stereotyped behavior, interests, and activities are present, but the criteria are not met for a specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, Schizotypical Personality Disorder, or Avoidant Personality Disorder. For example, this category includes "atypical autism"-- presentations that do not meet the criteria for Autistic Disorder because of late age of onset, atypical symptomatology, or sub threshold symptomatology, or all of these.