| When you are first introduced to the world of PDD, | | | | these disorders are constantly developing, many |
| it's very easy to become overwhelmed and confused | | | | physicians are reluctant to diagnose a younger child |
| about what the conditions are and how they all fit | | | | with a specific disorder, and will usually lean toward |
| together. | | | | PDD or PDD-NOS. PDD-NOS is often incorrectly |
| Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) - This is an | | | | referred to as simply "PDD". It's important to |
| umbrella term that covers a group of five disorders | | | | remember that PDD is not a diagnosis, but PDD-NOS |
| that are characterized by delays in the development | | | | is. Saying a child has PDD simply means that they |
| of multiple basic functions including socialization and | | | | could have any of the disorders listed above. Also, a |
| communication skills. The pervasive developmental | | | | person diagnosed with PDD-NOS may have some |
| disorders are as follows: | | | | symptoms of Asperger's, but they may be missing |
| - Autism | | | | some of the key symptoms. |
| - Rett's syndrome | | | | Sensory Integration Dysfunction |
| - Childhood disintegrative disorder | | | | SID is really a symptom of several PDD conditions. |
| - Asperger syndrome | | | | It's possible to have SID and not necessarily be |
| - Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise | | | | classified as autistic. SID is its own diagnosis, but it |
| specified (PDD-NOS) | | | | can also be linked to other neurological conditions, |
| It can be difficult at first for parents to understand | | | | including autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit |
| why pediatricians are slow to give a firm diagnoses | | | | disorder (ADD/ADHD), dyslexia, Developmental |
| for a child's condition. Because the symptoms of | | | | Dyspraxia, and Tourette's syndrome. |