PDD - What is it?

 

What is PDD-NOS?

PDD-NOS stands for Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified. Psychologists and psychiatrists sometimes use the term “pervasive developmental disorders” and “autism spectrum disorders” (ASD) interchangeably. As such, PDD-NOS became the diagnosis applied to children or adults who are on the autism spectrum but do not fully meet the criteria for another ASD such as autistic disorder (sometimes called “classic” autism) or Asperger Syndrome.

For example, this category includes “atypical autism” – presentations that do not meet the criteria for Autistic Disorder because of late age at onset, atypical symptomatology, or subthreshold symptomatology, or all of these."

More helpful, perhaps, are studies suggesting that persons with PDD-NOS can be placed in one of three very different subgroups:

• A high-functioning group (around 25 percent) whose symptoms largely overlap with that of Asperger syndrome, but who differ in terms of having a lag in language development and mild cognitive impairment. (Asperger syndrome does not generally involve speech delay or cognitive impairment).
• A second group (around 25 percent) whose symptoms more closely resemble those of autistic disorder, but do not fully meet all its diagnostic signs and symptoms.
• A third group (around 50 percent) who meet all the diagnostic criteria for autistic disorder, but whose stereotypical and repetitive behaviors are noticeably mild.
As these findings suggest, individuals with PDD-NOS vary widely in their strengths and challenges.

Every person with PDD is unique.

Taken from autismspeaks.org

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Marley the taller twin was diagnosed with PDD when he was three.  In many ways you would never be able to tell by looking at him or by looking at his academic abilities.  In many ways he is very normal but their are some areas that you can't see unless you spent everyday with him.  He has Sensory or to be fancy Neurosensory deficits.  What is that?  It's hard is what it is.  It is one of the hardest things to explain to people who have no idea or the capacity to really understand what I am saying.   Some of what he may do looks behavioral so one would think the answer would be to punish but its not and that is the totally wrong response.  It is frustrating, I do agree with that but there are so many kids who fit in this area and instead of being understood are being misunderstood.

Will they grow out of it?  Who knows, its too new. 

Is there a medication for it? No. 

Is there a therapy for it? There are some but they can be needed for very long periods of time and can be very costly if your insurance doesn't cover. 

What can be done then?  You can help your child learn how to manage their challenges which you do with normies anyway.  It may take a little longer but if you keep working at it you will see success.   You can be their ADVOCATE.  Always be on their side no matter how much the professional educator or anyone else who thinks they know so much.  No one understands them like you.  Always be one step ahead.  I always have a meeting the week before or the week of school starting with everyone who will have contact with them to explain ahead of time what they may see or deal with and how they can respond.  This helps so much because now they are ready for whatever and they are looking out for him more and helping him through situations instead of being caught of guard and being mad at him.

I mean we meet with playground monitors, cafeteria clerks, office staff, library staff, of course teachers and principal.  It doesn't cure it but it has helped a lot because now his experience won't be overshadowed by non-stop punishment. 

It also helps the staff facilitate his relationships with the kids.  He has a twin who is his link a lot of times but kids can be mean sometimes and staff can help massage the situation while allowing them all to grow.

He has a lot of strengths and talents and remembers every last thing and every instruction given and every story read.  He writes well and draws well.  He is loving and funny and loves people.  Its not all that bad but it is a blip on his radar that we will conquer one day.