Pdd-nos - Roseville,MI

Autism is a form of PDD. Think about what that term actually says... delays that pervade across multiple areas of development.

Teachers who devote their careers to children with Autism are incredible people, but they do not have the training to make an accurate diagnosis. It's not their job and quite frankly... experience is wonderful, but training in assessment and diagnostics is entirely different. I have worked with some very gifted special educators (as a psychologist and now a school administrator) and while they can teach your child to do things you never thought possible, they also tend to "see what they know".

Contact your local Autism Society and ask who they refer families to. In my former life (school psychologist), I consistently referred families to neuropsychologists NOT neurologists b/c neurologists look at physical development and medical symptomology, not behavior and emotionality. A neuropsychologist works with you and your child over a period of 10-15 hours to conduct a comprehensive assessment that includes the neuro info from the doctor but adds in the behavioral and social-emotional factors. Neuropsychologists also typically request your consent to speak with the teacher to gain that insight!

I see some confusion about PDD-NOS and PDD all the time. I'm not really certain what you're asking or saying right now. But PDD and PDD-NOS put someone firmly on the Autism Spectrum. It's kind of a fancy way of saying "Autism-related global delays." As a child gets older the diagnosis may firm up with a more specific type of Autism, as there are various types of Autisms.

So if you're looking for a diagnosis, then you're looking for someone who can evaluate him properly and is qualified to make a diagnosis. There are a few doctors that can do this: Pediatric Neurologist; Pediatric Psychologist; Pediatric Psychiatrist; Behavioral-Developmental Pediatrician. Call your local Children's Hospital and request the switchboard to put you into one of these departments. If they're full, go to the next one. If they're all full get recommendations for their colleagues.

My middle daughter, who is now 8.5 years old, has Autism. She was initially diagnosed as PDD-NOS with the likelihood of Asperger's Disorder at about 4 years old. In the past year, with maturity and as her symptoms change, her diagnosis has been "tweaked" and she leans more toward Classic Autism. We also look back with 20/20 hindsight and see that Classic Autism would have been a better fit based on some of her early symptoms.

Have you tried autismspeaks.org? My guess is a lot of people there know about PDD-NOS.

Hope that helps!

Are you asking b/c you have a kiddo w/PDD NOS or asking what it is? Sorry if you know all this, but perhaps for those who don't I'll fill you in. IIt is hard b/c nobody has heard of it. Autism one of 5 categories of Pervasive Developmental Disorders. So the 5 Categories of Pervasive Developmental Disorders are: Autistic Disorder, Rett's Disorder, Childhood Disintegration Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder- Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS).

So, PDD NOS is actually not Autism, but a Pervasive Developmental Disorder and Autism is also a PDD. They hold many of the same characteristics though. As a mother who has a child diagnosed with PDD NOS I would love to know of more outlets or chat/message boards. Hope someone has a more specific answer!!!

My son was diagnosed with PD-NOS and also ODD, I would suggest you call your local school district and see if they offer any programs or can direct you to nay web sites. I am not sure how old your son is but if he is under 3 Parents As Teachers can assist you and also if they are in your area First Steps is an amazing organization. I do not know of any chat boards, I know there are other moms here on Mamapedia who have offered great advice, and also support when I have had questions regarding Alex. My own pediatrician is not very helpful to us, but there are some great ones out there ( we have not transferred because she has her strong points as well and insurance makes it complicated to switch)
I know that Cafe Mom has sub divisions of separate groups of moms, but I am more comfortable here.
Good luck to you!

You need to take your son to a neurodevelopmental pediatrician. There is a specific test that he or she can do as well as a whole battery of other tests and his or her observations of behavior and the family dynamic. It doesn't take 15 minutes. You have to fill out lots of paperwork as does his teacher and the appointment lasts about 2 hours. Right after my son was evaluatedy by early intervention they told us to see a nd pediatrician. We saw a neurologist first because it took 5 months to get an appt withe the ndp. The neurologist did no specific tests and did not feel that further testing was warrented at the time but to watch him. The ndp noted that much of my son's issues were anxiety related and was able to seperate normal and concerning behaviors. We were afraid of an PDD (or PDD NOS) diagnosis since it is on the autism spectrum and often given to younger children. It turns out that based on the testing done he does not fall on the spectrum but does benefit for OT because of some sensory processing difficulties. You need to get an appt as soon as possible because if your son does fall on the spectrum, he needs specific therapy and more off it.