Can MILD cases of PDD be cured?

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Registered: 04-18-2003
Can MILD cases of PDD be cured?
7
Sun, 10-02-2005 - 8:29pm

Okay, I know I am desperate here. I've posted a few recent posts about my son who will be 3 at the end of October. We saw the Ped last week who is referring us to a Neurologist. So I don't have any confirmed diagnosis yet. But between the Ped and me, we feel that my son has some form of mild PDD. He isn't saying more than 1 word at a time and rarely says that. He has tantrums and goes into his own little world at times. I've been watching him at play recently and noticed that he likes to line things up, like crayons and little cars. I've read that that is also an indicator. But I'm just wondering if with therapy and treatment of some sort, can a mild case be cured or corrected? I am grasping for any bit of hope I can find. Thanks.

Melissa

(I am also going to post this on the autism board)

Melissa

Mom to Andrew, 5yrs old, Autism, Microcephaly

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 10-02-2005 - 10:58pm

Well, this is a controversal area actually.

Now, first, if it is true PDD then PDD is not cured. However, that being said some kids can "recover". ie, they progress to a point where they are indistinguishable from thier NT peers. Particularly if they are caught early such as your son and get intensive treatment.

However, though some more connections are made in the brain, often they still require at least consideration for how they think and learn and perhaps some supports. There is a study of the old Lovaas students who in adult hood were still doing quite well. I myself know of a number of AS/HFA adults that are in college or beyond.

My daughter was one I considered recovered by the end of kindergarten. I allowed her to go off and IEP and she fell apart. She couldn't manage without supports. She is now 11 and doing well but she is autistic. She admits it too and is proud of it. Wears her autism awareness bracelet everyday. She makes A's and B's in school but does need support of a special program in middle school. She is mainstreamed for all academics but does have an aide in those classes with her and her AS buddy.

She is happy, she is healthy, she is quirky, and she needs support in the way of organization, reminders, transition warnings, etc. But overall I think she will still be a productive, mostly independent and possibly completely independent adult who's brain is wired a bit differently.

Renee

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Registered: 05-16-2003
Mon, 10-03-2005 - 6:56am

Hi Melissa,

I'm in the same boat as you... my DS is 4-years old now though. Mild PDD. We've been on the journey since he was about 2.5 years.

The "cure" word isn't my goal so much anymore... I just hope that DS gets as close as indistinguishable from his peers as possible. And is happy and healthy and continues to progress.

If you haven't already, there is an interesting tool at:

http://www.childbrain.com/pddq6.shtml

BTW, the autism board moves much slower than this one, for some reason.

Cathy

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Registered: 10-03-2004
Mon, 10-03-2005 - 8:28am

Dear Melissa,

For certain, your child can become the best person possible, and learn lots of coping skills and even hopefully how to function well in the world. And remain true to himself at the same time. That seems to me to be what all parents are working for!

Some days my 8 year old IS undistinguishable from other NT kids, other days somewhat different. He does have different processing in his brain from ME, that's for sure. But he is learning, learning. And his point of view is refreshing, amazing, poetic, fabulous.

So the real issue has been ME relearning how HE thinks and how to work with him... Now I have to change the world, open up the teeny brains of every one else, so that he can be included, not punished for who he is!!!

They do refer to kids "going off the spectrum" (Suzi?) and that, I believe, refers to the diagnostic criteria changing. I think my son could end up being one of those kids, but that in itself is no longer my goal.

This first period of time, finding out the differences, is very tough. Take care of yourself and stick around. This board has been a great resource for me, great ladies with wonderful humor, ideas and perspective here!

yours,

Sara
ilovemalcolm

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 10-03-2005 - 8:33am

Hi, Welcome,

Renee put it very well. I think with early intervention and therapy a child can "move up the scale or spectrum" but their brains are just wired differently. I'm not sure CURE is a word that I'd use, but recover is a good word. They learn to cope w/ their brain wiring and adapt to the world.

My son Weston is high functioning but still has autism. In many situations he seems like a "normal" NT child, but if you're really concentrating on what he's doing or how he's interaacting, you can see that he's different from his peers. He is most different at home in private, where he lets it all out and stims and reacts w/o trying to cover. His public actions and social interactions have improved significantly since we started working w/ his speech and social skills when he was 6. He's now 9. As DH says, he'll be fine, he'll have a fairly normal life. But he'll still think and view the world through his mind which happens to be wired a bit differently than other people.

Betsy

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Registered: 04-18-2003
Mon, 10-03-2005 - 10:46am

Thanks everyone for your replies. I am just still in that phase where I need to stop crying and get ready to fight this head on for my child. It's not that I want him to be "normal" or "perfect", he is already perfect in my eyes. I just want him to be happy and I know being socially accepted by your peers, or NOT being socially accepted, would greatly influence his happiness.

I just wish this Neurology appointment would get here. This is going to be the longest 6 weeks of my life. Thank you all for your comments.

Melissa

Melissa

Mom to Andrew, 5yrs old, Autism, Microcephaly

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Registered: 05-30-2005
Mon, 10-03-2005 - 6:24pm

Hi, Melissa -- just wanted to let you know I hear you. We were pretty lucky and got into see a dev. ped quickly this summer to get our diagnosis. Calvin is 2 and has PDD. The ped thinks it's mild and that he's bright, etc., but needs a lot of therapy intervention. With that, she said, and some luck, Calvin will do well -- meaning he will blend. And while that is somewhat comforting, I still see that he has his non-autistic days and his totally autistic days. We are going through a very autistic period right now and I keep thinking "And this is mild?!?! He'll blend? How?" Like you said, I don't want him to be perfect according to anyone else ('cause he's already pretty terrific I think) but I want him to be happy, accepted, and independent. And all three are unknowns right now. And it scares the living daylights out of me. But then I hear about kids who were more severe doing so well -- and then I see them. And then I have hope. Please come back if you need help (and hope).

Kellie

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Registered: 02-24-2004
Mon, 10-03-2005 - 6:47pm

Melissa,

I know I'm chiming in a bit late...sorry!! But I also agree with the others. I never looked to find a cure for Nathan. I know that there's a chance his tendencies can improve, over time. I just work extra hard at teaching him things, it's alot of work, and it does take alot of energy and patience. My other son, Tyler, is NT, and I've learned that teaching Nathan is completely different. He's wired differently, and sees things differently than his brother or I do.

Sorry you have to wait so long for the appt. I know it's hard to wait when you want and need an answer right now! Keep intouch with us, and let us know how the appt goes!

Michelle