Is the diagnosis of moderate PDD correct??

Question

We just had our 24m old daughter evaluated b/c of her speech delay. She was diagnosed with sensory integration disorder which I agree with, but the moderate PDD is the one I'm not sure of, I think she's more of mild PDD or btwn mild and mod. She is an very shy baby and clingy. She was diagnosed b/c she doesn't make eye contact all the time, about 60% of the time, but at the playground she will watch the other kids play with a smile and maybe will look at strangers' faces and give a smile. She won't join to play though. Also, she'll only answer to her name 50% of the time but it depends, if she's occupied with a toy she will not look at you, when she's not, if i call her from another room she sometimes come or if my husband or i come home she will come running to us. She's a curious baby, following us around the house to see what we are doing. She did have repetitive behaviors (mostly cause she found it funny) but we taught her not to, and it's not often now. Any opinions? Thanks!

She will point to any animals she sees and try to say something, and will shake her head no if she doesn't want something. She can say about 6 words but mostly babbles. The evaluator thinks PDD also b/c she's gets very giggly and silly sometimes. She only evaluated my daugther for 45 mins though.

Answer 1

At 24 months of age any diagnosis on the autism spectrum is a guess as the DSM-IV (the book of all diagnosis) requires that a child be of a certain age and that all other contributing factors be ruled out before an ASD diagnosis is applied. Also things like mild-moderate are subjective as with all ASD diagnosis a child could have very severe problems with sensory integration but be above average in language... so to say that the whole diagnosis is mild or moderate or whatever is misleading.

Continue to work on the sensory integration issues and continue to work on the language issues. Once she is ready to begin school and once those other issues stabilize you can get a more concrete diagnosis.

As you said - her skills that she is able to show depend on lots of factors which really related to the SI.

My son was diagnosed with autism, then PDD-NOS in addition to other things. As he got older they continued to revise his diagnosis because his language improved and his sensory issues got "better" (more managable, we taught him to better control etc etc). He no longer has the PDD or Autism label but still has some lingering language delays and SI stuff that we continue to work on.

Remember the label is just something that is written on paper - long term outcomes are dependent to the types of things that you do with your child. Sounds like you are on the right track. Hang in there.

And I know that it is controversial and depending on your doctor you may get negative feedback but we saw our best improvement when we went on a glutten free diet (check out www.gfcf.com or info on the DAN website). We also were recommended to do AIT (Auditory Integration Therapy) but didnt in the end.... I wish we would have though.

Answer 2

Without being able to visually observe your child, no one here can tell you for sure what you are dealing with. I will say that the behaviors you have described are typical of a PDD diagnosis, and SI dysfunctions are typical as well. The evaluators who assess children have a battery of tests to use, and if you feel that the degree that the assessor has given your child is not accurate with your findings, you have the option of asking for another opinion. However, these are the professionals who deal with these types of developmental delays all the time, and have a great deal of experience in diagnosing delays. On the upside, now that you have a diagnosis, you can get help from your local school district. Your child is eligible for special education services through the school district for free. Your child can receive speech/language therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy (depending on what your child's specific needs are). Call your local school district and ask for the special education department, or talk with the assessor who evaluated your child. The earlier a child starts interventions, the better the outcome will be for their future success.

Answer 3

If you are concerned about the diagnosis you daughter has received, have her reevaluated. Children at this age act one way to a person the first time they meet them and a different way the next time. See if it is possible to see the same evaluate, or if you prefer to get a 2nd opinion all together get another referral. Also consult with your primary physician as they will be able to help with a diagnosis. Good luck

Answer 4

As your child grows and becomes more verbal, you will have a better idea as to what is "abnormal" behavior. Read any article you can find on the net about "Asperger's syndrome". Just type it into your browser and many sites come up, with information, symptoms, and diagnostic advice. I wouldn't worry too much just yet. My daughter was exactly like you describe your child, and at 12 yrs. old, she is happy, healthy, and one of the brightest in her classes in school. My guess is that this is your first child? You may just have the new-parent-jitters. Keep an eye on her development, and wait and see how it goes.

Answer 5

My son replaced into clinically determined with a extreme speech postpone while he replaced into approximately 3 years old. We positioned him right into a definite type for speech-in the back of schedule toddlers the place all of them performed video games and did activities that supported gaining know-how of the thank you to make the suitable sounds and then words. He blossomed in that type and graduated from the class right into a regularly occurring 4-year old kindergarten with a speech therapist working with him merely as quickly as each and every week. Now we can't get him to renounce speaking! he's now 7 and no-one realizes how frightened we've been approximately his speech at one factor because of the fact he talks so properly! in the experience that your son is barely 29 months, i might paintings with him for now and then if he remains having issues, then look into putting him right into a software like my son replaced into in. 2 year olds could properly be very obdurate and are gaining know-how of at an fairly quickly %.--paintings with him and make gaining know-how of our language as relaxing as a hazard. Then, next year, have him re-evaluated. it rather is extra perfect to get help while he remains youthful rather than waiting too long.