pdd question
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pdd question
| Mon, 03-19-2007 - 11:39am |
What determines a PDD label as opposed to an autism label? I know that PDD is a type of autism, but what is the real difference?
Thanks.
Sonya
Thanks.
Sonya

Sonya,
Here are the DSM IV classifications:
Childhood Autism
A. A total of six (or more) items from (1), (2), and (3), with at least two from (1), and one each from (2) and (3):
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I'm just starting to wade through the huge manual of info Children's Hospital gave me after recently diagnosing my kids with Asperger's. Their manual gave a simplified answer:
"Individuals who fall under PDD category in the DSM-IV exhibit commonalities in communication and social deficits, but differ in terms of severity. We have outlined some major points that help distinguish the differences between the specific diagnoses used:
AUTISTIC DISORDER impairments in social interaction, communication, and imaginative play prior to age 3yrs. Stereotyped behaviors, interests and activities.
ASPERGER'S DISORDER characterized by impairments in social interactions and the presence of restricted intersts and activities with no clinically significant general delay in language, and testing in the range of average to above average intelligence.
PDD-NOS (commonly referred to as atypical autism) a diagnosis of PDD-NOS may be made when a child does nto meet the criteria for a specific diagnosis, but there is a severe and pervasive impairment in specified behaviors."
Another section I can't find right now talks about how even the professional disagree on what behaviors constitute a diagnosis and what's most important is that you feel the diagnosis/treatment coincides with what behaviors you see in your child.