Diagnosis of Autism, Aspergers and PDD- NOS
ByThis 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.
4 Comments
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!)
September 12th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
As a father of two ASD boys, I really appreciate your blog and the information you post!
February 12th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
Speaking of diagnosing autism: it seems not just every state, but every country, city, town, hamlet or nation has their own criteria for diagnosing autism. The definition is so blown out of porportion autism label is becoming a total sham. Well, not total. There are really people with autism from severe to higher functioning, but one thing is for sure: there is an epidemic of overdiagnosing people with autism. I just saw a video on YOU TUBE titled: autism spectrum seems out of control. Watch it: it makes you think
also go to you tube and type in autism self injury if your child is suffering from this type of behavior…also, make sure your child is tested for things like Fragile X, Celiac Disease and other things before your doctor slaps the autism label on your child! Lastly, do NOT let your school diagnose your child, they aren’t qualified. Nor is the average pediatrician or even neurologist half the time. Then again, some people are so over enthusiatic to diagnose autism, even the people that should know better are screwing up. You can’t diagnose a kid after a 20 minute office rooom observation. A good doctor rules out other conditions that could be causing regression or autistic like features and tendencies. Unfortunately, that’s not being done these days. Kids are being diagnosed with aspergers and autism after 15 minute doctor visits. Docs aren’t even asking historical background or running genetic tests or blood tests , allergy tests, urine tests, cat scans, etc…to check out if something else is going on….