Is PDD-NOS considered autism?

Question

I've heard conflicting reports as to whether PDD-NOS is or is not "autism." I thought it was on the spectrum, but a different diagnosis altogether.

My sister-in-law's 3 yr old son was diagnosed with PDD-NOS about a year ago, and she's concerned about how her child will adapt to life with "autism."

So is it, or isn't it? Just curious.

Answer 1

The confusion is that there is "Autistic Disorder" which does not include PSS-NOS and "Autistic Spectrum Disorder" which DOES include PDD-NOS.

"Autistic disorder is the most commonly known type of ASD(Autistic Spectrum Disorder), but there are others, including "pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified" (PDD-NOS) and Asperger Syndrome."
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/actearly/autism.html


The latest stats of "1 out of 150" refers to the broader term, ASD, as opposed to AS specifically.
"CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network released data in 2007 that found about 1 in 150 8-year-old children in multiple areas of the United States had an ASD." http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/overview.htm

Answer 2

A diagnosis of autism usually means that there are difficulties in three areas: language, social skills, and repetitive behaviors.

A diagnosis of PDD-NOS (or Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified) means that there may be difficulties in those three areas, but that it is less severe than found in autism. Or, that a person has difficulties in social interaction plus one other area, either language or repetitive behaviors.

Therefore PDD-NOS can be thought of as a "mild autism spectrum disorder" or "on the autism spectrum," but it is not at the same level of severity as autism.

Another reason why people get confused is because autism and PDD-NOS (and Asperger's Disorder) are under the diagnostic category called "Pervasive Developmental Disorders." However, this is a category, not a technical diagnosis. It's kind of like how Major Depression, Dysthymia and Manic-Depression are all under the category of "Depressive Disorders." It's also possible to have a diagnosis of "Depressive Disorder Not Otherwise Specified" which means that the person has symptoms of depression, but not enough to meet the critiera for Major Depression, Bipolar or Dysthymia.

Hope this explains this better.

Answer 3

There is an autism spectrum which includes, PDD-NOS, Aspergers, (acutal) autism, PDD, and a couple of other things. So many people who work with the population will say that someone with PDD-NOS has autism when they really mean "on the autism spectrum."

In some states anyone who has an identified disorder on the autism spectrum is served under the autism label, whether or not they have (Kanner's) autism or not. That means they get the same services and support.

And really, because autism spectrum disorders are highly individualistic to the particular person, it doesn't really matter to a hill of beans whether or not someone has a diagnosis of PDD-NOS or autism because the care, education, and treatment must be focused on that particular person.

So in short the answer is yes, no and it doesn't really matter. (Other than to diagnosticians, researchers, and word stickilers. )

Answer 4

It is not classified as autism, but shares similar characteristics. Often children who are thought to be on the autistic spectrum (there are varying degrees of severity) are given a diagnosis of PDD-NOS if they do not fit all the criteria of an autism diagnosis. Otherwise, a child is placed into a specific classification of autism or asperger's syndrome. PDD-NOS is a separate diagnosis of autism or asperger's. It is considered to be part of the spectrum of communication disorders that share common elements with autism. You can look up the criteria for diagnosis in the DSM IV.

Answer 5

PDD-NOS is on the autism spectrum. It's commonly the label given to young kids with ASD. It can later turn into "full blown" autism or aspergers.

My DD was given the label "autism characteristics" by one neurologist at age 2.5 yrs and by another as PDD-NOS. However, now at age 7, when thorough testing could be done on her, she now has the label of "severe autism".

Many times docs are hesistant to call it autism so young, because it might *only* be developmental delays, speech delay, auditory processing disorder, etc.

FWIW, since every person on the autism spectrum is different from the next, and since they share a lot of the same issues, it's really a fine line between PDD and autism/aspergers.

Your nephew will be fine at adaptation. It's the rest of the family and the public that will have "issues" :-).

I suggest she hook up with her local ASD support group. Also, if your nephew isn't in an early childhood program, he should be - it can do wonders for him!

Answer 6

PDD-NOS is on the spectrum however they don't have enough characteristics per the DSM-IV for a true diagnosis. To get the true diagnosis you have to have at least 2 in category A and at least 1 in category B and C on this chart out of the manual. If he has the delays but not enough in each area he would be given the PDD-NOS diagnosis. This may change as child gets older. If he ever has to go to ER for an injury tell them autism as they might know what it is but wont PDD-NOS. Have a friend who learned that the hard way.

Answer 7

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 symptomology..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 reoccurence 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 siliarities 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 eligable 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 challanges, but trust me when I say he will learn and grow and evolve just like any other person...just with his own special touch!

Answer 8

PDD-NOS falls under the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder so in essence, yes it is Autism, it is treated the same way and can manifest itself in different levels of functioning.
www.spectrumkidsinc.com

Answer 9

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 Autsim 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.

Answer 10

Its a diagnosis, which is undetermined. It stands for Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Other Specified. Basically, it is not a diagnosis of autism for one reason or another. The doctor is diagnosing them with a developmental disability, but not being too specific. Later, when if it becomes more conclusive, they may diagnose them with Autism or aspergers... but they can now recieve services because they are diagnosed.

Tell the parents to watch for signs of autism, so treatment can be tailored to their needs