What is PDD-NOS?
September 29th, 2007Q:My son was diagnos with PDD-NOS. What is it exactly. His thearapist explained but I still don’t really understand. Please help.
Answer:
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!
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