More questions from newbie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
More questions from newbie
3
Mon, 11-14-2005 - 12:45pm

Hi All! I have two more questions. In several posts I have seen the initials "NT" used to describe other children - what does NT stand for? Sorry if this is obvious but I can't figure it out.

Second question - can anyone give me a brief description of PDD? What traits are common? The difference from AS? I have found some info on AS but not much on PDD.

Thanks!
Christie (who will try to get around to doing my intro today - if my youngest takes his afternoon nap as planned)

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2004
Mon, 11-14-2005 - 12:53pm

NT stands for neurologically typical. Basically, what we refer to as our kids who are not on the spectrum. And PDD-NOS, is a dx that kids receive if they don't meet all of the criteria to be dx as autistic. There is a criteria that physicians follow to dx autism, and children who don't have all of these characteristics but do have some autistic tendencies are given that dx.

Hope that answers your questions!

michelle

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 11-14-2005 - 2:27pm

Thank you - yes, it answers both of those questions.

NT - neurologically typical - I just could not figure it out - LOL!

Thanks again,
Christie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 11-14-2005 - 4:45pm

Hi there,

A quickie explanation of the autism spectrum.

Autism Spectrum Disorders is a relatively new term for those disorders which all fall on the same continuum. The are part of the Diagnostic Category in the DSM-IV called Pervasive Developmental Disorders.

Pervasive Developmental Disorders is an umbrella term under which 5 diagnosis fall. 1) Autism, 2) Aspergers, 3) Rhett's Syndrome, 4) Childhood degenerative disorder and 5) PDD-NOS or pervasive developmental disorder- not otherwise specified.

PDD-NOS is used when a person meets enough of the criteria for it to adversely affect thier lives, but they do not meet the full criteria for one of the other disorders. It can range from children who are very significantly impacted but don't have enough social symptoms to be autistic, to children who are very mild and high functioning. It is a catch all diagnosis.

The "autism spectrum disorders" are commonly believed to be autism, asperger's and PDD-NOS but there is no set standard on that as of yet and there are different people who believe different things. There are even those who believe that ADHD or SID are mild ASD's.

For more information refer to the community website here which is linked on the top of the main page or go to www.aspergerinfo.org and click on the autism button at the top of the page. There you will find a nice article written by our very own Val as well as the diagnostic checklists for each disorder.

Renee

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