PDD, stands for
pervasive developmental disorder. PDDs (note the plural) Pdd is broken down
to mainly several disorders, the most serious is believed to be autism. It is
an umbrella of many conditions.
1, Autism is a congenial condition with severely impaired social communication, social interaction and abstract thought with stereotype and repetitive behaviours.
2, Aspergers syndrome includes many of the impairments as Autism, such as social and behavioural. People with this disorder lack social interaction, they use inappropriate body language and gestures to others thoughts or feelings, as well as the stereotyped and repetitive behaviours.
3, Retts disorder which is physical, mental and social impairments. This condition affects only girls and impairs coordination, repetitive movements, and severe or profound mental retardation. It tends to appear between 5 months of age and 4 years of age.
4, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, otherwise known as Hellers syndrome, Disintegrative psychosis and Dementia Infantillis. Here the child appears to develop normal until the age of 2. When previously acquired physical, social and communication skills deteriorate (usually at 3 or 4 years old), and up to the age of 10. And can appear in conjunction with Schilders Disease.
5, PDD(nos), not otherwise stated means when a child is believed to have one of the conditions in the PDD umbrella, but of which is not otherwise stated (NOS). No formal diagnosis is made.
PDD, ASD or NSD (no
such diagnosis).. A frustrating conclusion for any parent, or Carer...
I think any parent or Carer that has been through the turmoil of seeking a diagnosis
for their child, would feel disappointed and let down by the system, if they
encountered a PDD label. Especially when they have waited a long time for a
diagnosis knowing that their child has been acting more autistic, especially
when the behaviours are present to children who have the triad of impairments...
The waiting time for a diagnosis is basically like being on the swings and roundabout...You
know yourself as Parents and Carers the long journey to diagnosis is a long
drawn out frustrating time, in the area where I live that journey still continues,
we are so far behind with the times... I have spent three long years trying
to change, peoples awareness and bring our system up to date.. (NOT EASY)..
The term PDD, which is used as the term for the Umbrella of conditions first came about by the APA (American Psychiatric Association) the term ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) is the term used in the rest of Europe but means the same as PDD...
There has been lot`s of discussions and debates to do with the use of PDD/ASD. Some professionals argue there should be no diagnosis made with these labels. Although PDD-NOS is only used when someone show`s difficulties in more than one area, but does not fulfill the criteria for Aspergers Syndrome/Autism. It should only be used once all diagnosis possibilities have been ruled out.
Whilst some now say
it`s an easy way out when a child`s behaviour and conditions seem to overlap
between two conditions or even more, It seems there will always be a debate
on the use of these two terms (PDD, ASD).
There are some local authorities who accept PDD/ASD as a firm diagnosis of Autism
and there are some who feel that the LABEL is just a label and not a clear diagnosis
of any condition....
For parents and Carers and most of all the person concerned this can send them into turmoil and cause even more difficulties, there are specialists who say it`s not nice to give someone a label/diagnosis as it`s not helpful in anyway, How then would they feel if it was they who was being denied this right....
BOOKS ON PDD
First book This book is about parenting techniques, its an ideal book on finding a diagnosis and getting help. Covers the Pdd, Spectrum and ideal book for parents to read and understand PDD.... Second book This book is all about the biological treatment for Autism-Pdd, its a book for professionals, parent and the public.... Third book This book was written for sufferers, of conditions on Autism, Aspergers, HFA and PDD. To help them understand their conditions more clearly.... Fourth book This book concentrates more on ADD, ADHD and Autism.This book deals with PDD-NOS ..as in explanation 5...