Is It Autism?

My child was diagnosed with PDD-NOS. He doesnt say any words yet, yet he makes vowel and consanant sounds. He pulls me by my hand to what it is he wants. He has very poor eye contact, at times avoiding me yet he will laugh if were playing peek-a boo or im chasing him, He'll go hysterical if I say "im gonna get you" and chase him. Hell look me in the eyes at times for a good minuite or two if Im singing a song he likes. He has to touch EVERYTHING it takes us a half an hour to walk around the block because he shuffles his feet in the dirt and stops to touch something every 2 seconds, He has a huge attachment to his blanket and falls asleep always with the tag in his hand, but he doesnt scream if I take it away. He was a late walker, and solid food eater. He doesnt seem interested in playing with other kids although hell laugh at them if they run by or kick a ball, He likes to be hugged and held and cuddled...does anyone else have a child with similar traits to mine??Is It Autism?
Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) is one of the pervasive developmental disorders and autism spectrum disorders.



Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) is a 'subthreshold' condition in which some - but not all - features of autism or another explicitly identified Pervasive Developmental Disorder are identified. PDD-NOS is often incorrectly referred to as simply "PDD." The term PDD refers to the class of conditions to which autism belongs. PDD is NOT itself a diagnosis, while PDD-NOS IS a diagnosis. The term Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS; also referred to as "atypical personality development," "atypical PDD," or "atypical autism") is included in DSM-IV to encompass cases where there is marked impairment of social interaction, communication, and/or stereotyped behavior patterns or interest, but when full features for autism or another explicitly defined PDD are not met.



It should be emphasized that this ''subthreshold'' category is thus defined implicitly, that is, no specific guidelines for diagnosis are provided. While deficits in peer relations and unusual sensitivities are typically noted, social skills are less impaired than in classical autism. The lack of definition(s) for this relatively heterogeneous group of children presents problems for research on this condition. The limited available evidence suggest that children with PDD-NOS probably come to professional attention rather later than is the case with autistic children, and that intellectual deficits are less common.







PDD-NOS is a diagnosis for people who are well-described by the "PDD" label, but can't be categorized by any other disorder. It is usually milder than autism and has similar symptoms to autism, with some symptoms present, and others absent.[1] The boundaries between PDD-NOS and non-autistic conditions are not fully resolved.[2]



OK-I copied the above for you...Only a trained professional can give you an assessment on whether your son has autism or not, and even then it can be difficult with children who may be borderline, or "on the spectrum" as it's called.

Also, you didn't specify your son's age. If he's not talking and he's two, then that's not as worrisome than if he is three or four. Many children have idiosyncrisies that make them different than their peers. You and your doctor/therapist will have to make that evaluation.



I am editing this to respond that children are NOT autistic at birth. Babies are the most responsive and adaptable in the first two years of life. That is when they pick up their cues to laugh, cry, babble, talk, etc. They greatly mimic behavior and interact with their environment. They normally want to see, touch, play with everything...Please don't get your information from people who are not professionals.

Autism is a disorder, not a normal pattern of development that one eventually grows out of.



BTW-I teach special ed. I can't reiterate enough that you really need to consult with an expert. Good luck.
go see a the doctor. or some kind of therapist. i no some of those ppl they r really nice and funny. im sure its not autismIs It Autism?
You didn't mention how old your child is. All children are autistic at birth. They usually snap out of it by age two. If your child was developing to the point he is now at fourteen months then stopped, or was developing beyond where he is now and regressed at age two; then the diagnosis of PDD-NOS makes sense. Regardless, though, if he is only two years old, the diagnosis is iffy at best. In fact, PDD-NOS is always an iffy diagnosis. Technically, all humans have PDD-NOS because we all have some autistic symptoms. If you avert your eyes at a scary movie, that's an autistic symptom. If you fidget when you are bored, that's an autistic symptom. If you are ever rendered *speechless* from shock, that's an autistic symptom. Holding your breath when you are anxious, stammering when you are embarrassed or confused, inspecting your own feces, etc; are all autistic symptoms. EVERYBODY is autistic.



The movie "Taxi Driver" is about a man with very obvious Asperger's Syndrome, and yet the movie was a big hit nation wide. This was because ALL men saw at least a bit of themselves in Travis Bickle.
my child is EXACTLY the same, very much has the same traits. My son is 2yrs and 1mth... and regressed at some time between 12mths and 18mths. Before regression he could say and sign 4 things, and point... but now he doesnt understand what pointing is used for - and will only look at your finger.



Dot (so called because of his tiny size - 20lb, the size of a 12mth old) and has failure to thrive, has intolerance to milk. Loves his blanket too, but will willingly give it away to any Tom, dick or Harry. He also has aversion to bright lights, doesnt feel pain and seems also to be having 'absences'. He understands very little. But just like your child, is a very happy little chap.



Unfortunately his Paediatrician is still in denial and says that theres nothing wrong with him??? So at least you have a diagnosis. Im fairly convinced that Dot is also PDD-NOS... basically IT IS autism, but without the strict criterior (symptoms) that 'qualify' for the official term 'Autism', as stated by a certain set of rules set by accredited psychologists.



So basically IT IS autism, but not as severe and the outlook is good, tho it is a lifelong condition, the people that have it adjust better and learn slightly easier. Hope that helps.Is It Autism?
If you are interested in gaining more understanding of your childs' behaviors and increasing his social interaction, check out DIR theory and Floortime.
Unless someone is a doctor that can do the proper testing on your child, no body has the right to say yes or no to you. All I can say is that my son had almost all the same issues and I finally got a diagnosis at age 4. I could have been doing treatments and working on his diet for 3 years since I first noticed his "symptoms." The best advice I can give you is to contact your local child development services who can and must provide you with therapies and evaluations at the state's cost. They can get you speech help, hearing and neurological testing, etc. They can provide specialized "preschool" for PDD-NOS/ASD children.

The next thing I would suggest is to see a DAN doctor or a naturalist doctor who can give you some supplements and dietary changes to help with your child's attention, eye contact, and speech. All the supplements should be shared with your pediatrician so he/she is kept in the loop, but we are talking vitamins, NOT medications. They work wonders with many/most of these children. I would also pick up a copy of Jenny McCarthy's book, Louder than words...it will surprise you and empower you like no chat room ever could!! :)



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