PDD-NOS stands for Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified. PDD-NOS was one of several previously separate subtypes of autism that were merged into the single diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with the publication of the DSM-5 diagnostic manual in 2013.


In the past, psychologists and psychiatrists often used the term "pervasive developmental disorder" and "autism spectrum disorder" (ASD) interchangeably. As such, PDD-NOS became the diagnosis applied to children or adults who are on the autism spectrum but do not fully meet the criteria for another ASD, such as autistic disorder (sometimes called "classic" autism) or Asperger syndrome.


Like all forms of autism, PDD-NOS can occur in conjunction with a broad spectrum of intellectual abilities. The defining features are significant challenges in social and language development.


Some developmental health professionals refer to PDD-NOS as "subthreshold autism. In other words, it is the diagnosis they use for someone who has some, but not all, of the features of autism or who has relatively mild symptoms. autism symptoms in one core area such as social deficits, but mild or no symptoms in another core area such as restricted, repetitive behavior.


As a diagnosis, PDD-NOS remains relatively new, dating back only 15 years or so. As a result, some doctors and educators may be unfamiliar with the term or use it incorrectly.


The current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) describes the criteria for a diagnosis of PDD-NOS. Unfortunately, this description consists of a single paragraph that mostly asserts what it is not:


"This category should be used when there are severe and pervasive impairments in the development of reciprocal social interaction associated with impairments in verbal or nonverbal communication skills or with the presence of stereotypic behaviors, interests and activities, but the criteria for a specific pervasive developmental disorder are not met. schizophrenia, schizotypal personality disorder or avoidant personality disorder This category includes, for example, "atypical autism" - presentations that do not meet the criteria for autistic disorder because of late age at onset, atypical symptomatology or subthreshold symptomatology, or all of these."


Perhaps more useful are studies that suggest that individuals with PDD-NOS can be placed in one of three very different subgroups:


A high-functioning group (about 25 percent) whose symptoms largely overlap with those of Asperger syndrome, but differ in terms of a delay in language development and mild cognitive impairment. (Asperger syndrome is generally not accompanied by speech delay or cognitive impairment).

A second group (about 25 percent) whose symptoms are more similar to those of autistic disorder but do not fully meet all the diagnostic signs and symptoms.

A third group (about 50 percent) who meet all diagnostic criteria for autistic disorder but whose stereotypic and repetitive behaviors are noticeably mild.

As these findings suggest, individuals with PDD-NOS vary widely in their strengths and challenges.


Treatment BeterKlinic

BeterKliniek is the clinic for Integrative Medicine that bridges regular and non-regular medicine.

An van Veen (physician) and Michael van Gils (therapist) look for the cause of a condition or disease. That is where the treatment starts otherwise, as people often say, it is 'carrying water to the sea'. We call this cause medicine. Sometimes it is also desirable to treat the symptoms (at the same time). We call this symptom medicine.

Chronic disorders often have their cause in epi- genetics. You can schedule a free informative telephone consultation (phone number 040-7117337 until 1 p.m.) at BeterKliniek to discuss your symptoms so that we can provide you with further advice.