PDD-NOS in Depth

Often, doctors will diagnose a child with PP-NOS (Persuasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified) if they show many different signs of Autism, but there are not enough signs to officially diagnose the child as Autistic. As a parent, it can be difficult to understand exactly what this is and what it means. Below you will find more information on PDD-NOS that may help you understand it a little more and the implications is has on you and your child.

How Children Are Tested –

Typically, children are tested in various ways, including physically, academically, psychologically and more. This is to try and identify other factors that are causing the child to behave in a particular way.

Physical Testing –

Doctors will typically ensure that no physical problems are causing the symptoms that your child is experiencing. This may include a physical and in-depth assessment to determine the physical health of the child. You may be asked questions about the child’s normal routine, family history and other factors which may come into play concerning the child’s behavior.

Academic Testing –

A lot of academic testing performed by doctors will include obtaining information from the parents of the child, the teachers, childcare givers or others who are in continuous contact with the child. They may determine whether the child is able to do normal daily tasks including feeding themselves, putting their clothes on, taking a bath, etc. Other information may be obtained which concerns your child’s individual behavior or issues.

Psychological Testing –

Psychological testing is a large aspect of a PDD-NOS diagnosis. Typically, children will be examined for any sort of issues regarding cognitive or social functioning as well as other psychological issues – such as depression, anxiety and more. Often times a child with behavioral or developmental problems will be suffering from some form of psychological condition.

Other areas of the child’s life may be looked at as well – including watching the way the child plays or behaves while he or she is engaged in normal daily activity. All of these factors help doctors and physicians rule out other conditions to eventually reach a PDD-NOS diagnosis.

If this diagnosis is reached, physicians and doctors will work closely with parents, caregivers and teachers to determine a method of treatment to ensure that the child is being given optimum care. While PDD-NOS is not actually a form of Autism, the behaviors are often very similar and may require similar treatments of those that autistic children are given.