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Article Provided by The ARC of Georgia
Fact
Sheet
Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) is
a 'subthreshold' condition in which some - but not all - features of
autism or another specific 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") includes 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.
There are no specific guidelines for diagnosis. Difficulties in
relating to other children and unusual sensitivities are typically
noted. Social
skills are less impaired than in classical autism. Children with
PDD-NOS probably come to professional attention later than is the case
with autistic children. Intellectual
deficits are less common.
Helpful Information:
Any concern in the following areas might merit an evaluation for PDD-NOS:
-
Language
development
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Poor
social interaction
-
Social
isolation
-
Poor eye
contact
-
Attachment
to unusual objects
-
Overdeveloped circumscribed interests in odd or specific topics
-
Inability
to engage in imaginative play
Children
with PDD-NOS often show no physical differences. While
physical examinations are usually normal, an evaluation should be
thorough enough to exclude genetic or metabolic disorders.
Resources:
Yale Child Study Center
MAAP
Services for the Autism and Asperger Syndrome
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The impact of a
disability can always be lessened to some degree by early intervention. |
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