It is one of five disorders classified as Pervasive Developmental
Disorders
(others include Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder,
Rett’s Disorder and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder).
The
diagnosis PDD-NOS is usually given to an individual who
does not meet the diagnostic criteria for any of the four
other Pervasive Developmental Disorders, yet clearly shows
unusual development in the areas of communication, social
interaction and interests/attention. PDD-NOS is a neurological
disorder, and symptoms can range from mild to severe.
Often,
individuals with a PDD-NOS diagnosis have more intact
social skills than
individuals diagnosed with other Pervasive Developmental
Disorders. Sometimes this
diagnosis is given to very young children with limited
communication skills who also
show characteristics of autism. As the child’s communication
skills increase, other
symptoms of autism may become more apparent.
Characteristics
No
two individuals diagnosed with PDD-NOS are exactly alike.
However, many individuals with PDD-NOS have some characteristics
in common, such as:
- Deficits
in social behavior
-
Uneven skill development (strengths in some areas and
significant delays in others.)
-
Poorly developed speech and language comprehension and
skills.
-
Difficulty with changes in environment
- Deficits
in nonverbal communication
-
Uncommon responses to taste, sight, sound, smell and
touch
-
Repetitive or ritualistic behaviors (i.e., opening and
closing doors repeatedly or switching a light on and
off )
-
Unusual likes and dislikes
Causes
The
causes of PDD-NOS are still unknown. There is a strong
belief in the medical
community that that the disability’s origin is genetic
and/or biological and affects brain
function, but specific biological mechanisms remain unclear.
There is a possibility that more
than one variable could be responsible for the different
symptoms that are present in those
individuals with PDD-NOS.
There
are no factors in a child’s upbringing that are
responsible for PDD-NOS. Parents
do not cause PDD-NOS.
Facts
Current
estimates are that 3-4 per 1000 individuals may have PDD-NOS.
PDD-NOS
often occurs with some degree of cognitive impairment.
Individuals with PDD-NOS are
found in all races, ethnicities, and social statuses.
Chakrabarti, S. & Fombone, E. (2001)
Pervasive Developmental Disorders in Preschool Children.
Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 285,
24, 3093.
