PPD-NOS

What is Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)?
PDD-NOS is a neurological disorder characterized by severe and pervasive impairment in the following areas of development: communication, social interaction/play, interests/attention. It occurs with some cognitive delays as well as some features of Autism, but not all. A diagnosis of PDD-NOS is given when a child does not meet the criteria for any of the other 4 Pervasive Developmental Disorders (including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, Rett's Syndrome, and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder).

What are the characteristics of PDD-NOS?
While they may have some characteristics in common, it's important to realize that no two children with PDD-NOS are alike. The following is a list of characteristics commonly associated with the diagnosis of PDD-NOS:

• Impaired social skills
• Uneven skill development (may have some areas of strength while other areas with significant delay)
• Poor speech and language comprehension skills
• Difficulty with a change in routine or environment
• Deficits in nonverbal communication
• Unusual responses to taste, sight, sound, smell, and touch
• Unusual likes and dislikes
• Repetitive body movements or behaviors
• Unusual play with toys and other objects

How is PDD-NOS treated?

• Specialized interventions including educational tx, behavioral tx, occupational therapy, and speech therapy
• Provide information to the individual with PDD-NOS both visually and verbally
• Interaction with typically developing peers; Helps to provided models for appropriate language, social skills, and behaviors
• Collaboration between school and home; It's important to have carryover in all of the child's environments
• Explore use of Augmentative Communication