Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified

Not to be confused with PDNOS.
Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)
Classification and external resources
Specialty Psychiatry
ICD-10 F84.9
ICD-9-CM 299.9299.80

A pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) is one of the three autism spectrum disorders (ASD)[1] and also one of the five disorders classified as a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD).[2] According to the DSM-IV, PDD-NOS is a diagnosis that is used for "severe and pervasive impairment in the development of reciprocal social interaction or verbal and nonverbal communication skills, or when stereotyped behavior, interests, and activities are present, but the criteria are not met for a specific PDD" or for several other disorders.[3] PDD-NOS is often called atypical autism,[4] because the criteria for autistic disorder are not met, for instance because of late age of onset, atypical symptomatology, or subthreshold symptomatology, or all of these.[3] Even though PDD-NOS is considered milder than typical autism, this is not always true. While some characteristics may be milder, others may be more severe.[5]

Signs and symptoms

It is common for individuals with PDD-NOS to have more intact social skills and a lower level of intellectual deficit than individuals with other PDDs.[2] Characteristics of many individuals with PDD-NOS are:

Diagnosis

PDD-NOS is an old diagnostic category. It is no longer included as an option for an Autism Spectrum Disorder and is not part of the DSM-5, but is included in the ICD-10.[6]

The diagnosis of a pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified is given to individuals with difficulties in the areas of social interaction, communication, and/or stereotyped behavior patterns or interests, but who do not meet the full DSM-IV criteria for autism or another PDD. This does not necessarily mean that PDD-NOS is a milder disability than the other PDDs. It only means that individuals who receive this diagnosis do not meet the diagnostic criteria of the other PDDs, but that there is still a pervasive developmental disorder that affects the individual in the areas of communication, socialization and behavior.[2]

As for the other pervasive developmental disorders, diagnosis of PDD-NOS requires the involvement of a team of specialists. The individual needs to undergo a full diagnostic evaluation, including a thorough medical, social, adaptive, motor skills and communication history.[2] Other parts of an assessment can be behavioral rating scales, direct behavioral observations, psychological assessment, educational assessment, communication assessment, and occupational assessment.[7]

Description of PDD-NOS merely as a "subthreshold" category without a more specific case definition poses methodological problems for research regarding the relatively heterogeneous group of people who receive this diagnosis. However, it appears that children with PDD-NOS show fewer intellectual deficits than autistic children, and that they may come to professional attention at a later age.[8]

Subgroups

Studies suggest that persons with PDD-NOS belong to one of three very different subgroups:[9]

Treatment

There is no known "cure" for PDD-NOS, but there are interventions that can have a positive influence. Early and intensive implementation of evidence-based practices and interventions are generally believed to improve outcomes. Most of these are individualized special education strategies rather than medical or pharmaceutical treatment; the best outcomes are achieved when a team approach among supporting individuals is utilized.

Some of the more common therapies and services include:[2]

References

  1. ↑ Johnson, C. P.; Myers, S. M. (1 November 2007). "Identification and Evaluation of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders". Pediatrics. 120 (5): 1183–1215. doi:10.1542/peds.2007-2361. PMID 17967920.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Autism spectrum fact sheet from Illinois
  3. 1 2 First signs
  4. ↑ PDD-NOS Symptoms | Health Related Articles. (n.d.). Health Related Articles. Retrieved November 27, 2010, from http://www.healthforworld.com/pdd-nos-symptoms
  5. ↑ http://www.nationalautismresources.com/autismsymptoms.html national autism resources
  6. ↑ Smith, Isaac C.; Reichow, Brian; Volkmar, Fred R. (2015). "The Effects of DSM-5 Criteria on Number of Individuals Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review". Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 45 (8): 2541–2552. doi:10.1007/s10803-015-2423-8. ISSN 0162-3257.
  7. ↑ briefing paper of the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
  8. ↑ Yale child study center
  9. 1 2 3 4 Walker DR, Thompson A, Zwaigenbaum L, Goldberg J, Bryson SE, Mahoney WJ, Strawbridge CP, Szatmari P 2004. Specifying PDD-NOS: a comparison of PDD-NOS, Asperger syndrome, and autism. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2004 Feb;43(2):172-80. PMID 14726723 and .
  10. ↑ American Psychiatric Association (2000). "Diagnostic criteria for 299.80 Asperger's Disorder (AD)". Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th, text revision (DSM-IV-TR) ed.). ISBN 0-89042-025-4. Retrieved 2007-06-28.
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