Help With Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

PDD-NOS is a developmental disorder on the autism spectrum that is often referred to as atypical autism. According to a new poll released by the CDC, about 1 in 50 children has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children may be diagnosed with PDD-NOS if they meet some but not all of the diagnostic criteria for Asperger Syndrome (ASD) or autistic disorder(1). A child who receives a diagnosis of PDD-NOS usually falls into one of the following categories(2):

• The child is high functioning, like a person with Asperger syndrome (ASD), but is experiencing mild learning issues and/or language delay that would prevent an Asperger diagnosis (ASD).
• The child is similar to a person with autism, but symptoms began at a late age.
• The child has many symptoms of autism, but has fewer perseverative behaviors than those with an autism diagnosis.
• The child may exhibit signs of autism, but be too young to fully assess language development.

It is important to speak directly with your Doctor concerning the presence or confirmation of any diagnosis of a spectrum disorder.

Symptoms of PDD-NOS

Children with PDD-NOS may experience some of the following ASD symptoms to varying degrees, depending on severity(1):

• Do not respond to their name by 12 months of age.
• Do not point at objects to show interest (point at an airplane flying over) by 14 months.
• Do not play “pretend” games (pretend to “feed” a doll) by 18 months.
• Avoid eye contact and want to be alone.
• Have trouble understanding other people’s feelings or talking about their own feelings.
• Have delayed speech and language skills.
• Repeat words or phrases over and over (echolalia).
• Give unrelated answers to questions.
• Get upset by minor changes.
• Have obsessive interests.
• Flap their hands, rock their body, or spin in circles.
• Have unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel.

To learn more about the specific symptoms of PDD-NOS, please refer to the DSM-IV criteria for the disorder.

Source: (1) Centers For Disease Control (CDC)
Source: (2) Emory Autism Center

Processing Disorders and The Brain Balance Program

At Brain Balance, we address symptoms of processing disorders by first gaining an understanding of your child’s ability to process sensory input through our Personalized Assessment, to help determine which brain processes need assistance. The Brain Balance Program combines individually customized sensory-motor and academic activities that address hemispheric brain connectivity to help behavioral symptoms associated with processing disorders.