Diagnosis of Autism, Aspergers and PDD- NOS
This article is to serve as a review of the diagnoses of Autism, Asperger’s and PDD NOS. You can refer to other articles as to how these relate to ADD/ADHD here: Autism, Aspergers and ADD/ADHD, ADHD Medication and Autism/ Asperger’s.
The Autistic Spectrum includes two major disorders; Autism and Asperger’s disorder and a third one called Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (or PDD NOS).
The main characteristics of the Autistic Spectrum are individuals: 1) who have trouble relating to other people, there are social difficulties, 2) there are behavioral difficulties, things like ritualized behavior and obsessive types of behavior and 3) there is trouble with speech and communication.
Now if someone has all three major categories they would have the diagnosis of Autism. If they have the social issues and the behavioral issues but no trouble with speech or communication they would have Asperger’s disorder. And if they had enough criteria that the doctor is concerned about the pervasive developmental disorders but not enough to meet one of the diagnoses they would have PDD not otherwise specified.
It’s also very important to note that individuals with PDD or autism have a very wide range in functioning. There are some individuals with autism who are developmentally delayed; they can be adolescents or adults and have trouble with toilet training and communication; may only speak three or five words or none and there are individuals with high functioning autism or Asperger’s who go on to get University education, they are professionals, they are “successful” in society and they have families. So there is a very wide range in functioning.
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Written by Dr. Kenny Handelman - The ADHD Doctor
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December 9th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
“…and there are individuals with high functioning autism or Asperger’s who go on to get University education, they are professionals, they are “successful” in society and they have families. So there is a very wide range in functioning.”
I think it is so easy for some in society to forget this. They want to stereotype all autistic individuals. My adult niece is fairly high functioning and has learned coping skills that get her through most situations; a big difference from her abilities at a much younger age.
July 17th, 2008 at 3:52 am
I still remember how surprised I was to hear an expert on NPR talking about her academic specialty of humane treatment of animals in slaughter houses*. Later in the conversation it was mentioned in passing that she’s autistic, and has written quite extensively about her chalenges and strengths as an autistic academic.
(* Yes, I appreciate the irony of using the words “humane” and “slaughter house” in the same sentence, but couldn’t think of a less jarring way to write it!)