What is PDD?
There are many adoptive children diagnosed everyday with disorders like PDD, autism, ADHD, ADD, FAS, OCD, PTSD, etc. I could go on forever and list a myriad of alphabet soup. But many parents have no idea what some of the acronyms mean when their children receive the diagnoses.
Because of AJ’s issues I have done a lot of research on autism, institutional autism and PDD but what exactly are PDD’s, or Pervasive Developmental Disorders? And, what is it when it is Not Otherwise Specified PDD-NOS?
Pervasive Development Disorders actually refer to the group of disorders characterized by delays in socialization and communication.The group includes Autism, Aspergers, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Rett’s Syndrome. It also includes disorders that can not be specifically specified but is developmental in nature , thus NOS.
PDD is not a specific diagnoses but PDD-NOS is a diagnoses, and many insurance companies will make sure to NOT cover PDD as an approved and covered disorder, much like Autism. Officially, the DSM-IV does not recognize PDD and schools do not either.
PDD-NOS “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.” What is interesting is that many PDD-NOS cases are never diagnosed because they can function in society, although on a limited basis because intellectual deficits are less common.
According to Wikipedia, PDD symptoms encompass the following:
* Difficulty using and understanding language
* Difficulty relating to people, objects, and events
* Unusual play with toys and other objects
* Difficulty with changes in routine or familiar surroundings
* Repetitive body movements or behavior patterns
However, each PDD type has its own sub-symptoms. For example, PDD-NOS is milder than autism and though it has symptoms of autism some symptoms are absent.
What is most important to remember when getting a diagnosis of PDD-NOS or anywhere on the PDD spectrum is that the treatment will be similar, depending upon the severity of the symptoms.
To read more about PDD visit a friend of mine at the Karianna Spectrum or Kari’s Couch
