To further complicate the issue, PDD-NOS can also be referred to as “atypical personality development,” “atypical PDD,” or “atypical Autism”.īecause of the "NOS", which means "not otherwise specified", it is hard to describe what PDD-NOS is, other than it being an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). PDD is not itself a diagnosis, while PDD-NOS is a diagnosis. PDD-NOS is often incorrectly referred to as simply “PDD.” The term PDD refers to the class of conditions to which the five disorders belong to. Both approaches contribute to confusion about the term, because the term PDD actually refers to a category of disorders and is not a diagnostic label. Others use the general category label of PDD because they are hesitant to diagnose very young children with a specific type of PDD, such as autism. Many use the term PDD as a short way of saying PDD-NOS. There is a division among doctors on the use of the term PDD. PDD itself does not affect life expectancy. Parents may note symptoms of PDD as early as infancy and typically onset is prior to three years of age. The first three of these disorders are commonly called the autism spectrum disorders the last two disorders are much rarer, and are sometimes placed in the autism spectrum and sometimes not. Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD).
Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), which includes atypical autism, and is the most common.The pervasive developmental disorders are: The diagnostic category pervasive developmental disorders ( PDD), as opposed to specific developmental disorders (SDD), refers to a group of five disorders characterized by delays in the development of multiple basic functions including socialization and communication.