what happened to diagnosis?

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Just wondering---

how many here with an initial diagnosis of pdd-nos had it
1. changed to dx of aspergers
2. changed to dx of autism
3. remain the same
4. removed/recovered completely

Thanks!

My 7 year old was initially diagnosed with PDD-NOS. His diagnosis was changed to Asperger's a few months later.

However part of the problem is we were comparing his behaviour to his older brother (who had not yet been diagnosed with Asperger's). So when the paediatrician was asking us about obsessions, we thought the behaviour our boys showed was normal, because we were comparing them to each other.

Now both my 9 and 7 year old are diagnosed with Asperger's.

Regards
Helen

Thanks for the response! Interesting how you had the diagnosis changed few months later. Was it with a different doctor?

I'm sure this wouldn't happen in my case. The clinician felt it was pdd-nos with Asperger behaviors, but she felt he could switch topics quite appropriately so AS was ruled out for now. He is receiving services (will) under the category of "autism" so it should work out fine. He is "mildly" affected, too and high functioning. But, he still has the preseverating, repetitions, theory of mind issues, high verbal etc. No verbal or cognitive delays.

I guess this post isn't so interesting to people! LOL. I'm almost embarrassed. I wonder if I should delete it. LOL.

I am interested in understanding the frequency of pdd-nos diagnosis and how parents reacted to it and how long it stuck and a general attitude about it. I've heard SO many conflicting ideas about it.

I'm stuck--I know. Sometimes, I think I've got the fixation problem. There are 3,000 other things I could be doing and I'm pondering pdd-nos. I have to teach in two weeks and I am NOT ready! UGH!

Thanks again for your response.


equinn

I quickly sacked the first Paediatrician. She was an idiot!

Her management plan for my son was:
- Send him to a generalised anxiety management program (in a group with NT kids)
- If no improvement in 6 months put him on Zoloft and change schools

Fortunately I'd read enough to realise what a crap management plan this was.

I took my son to Tony Attwood's clinic and they diagnosed him with Asperger's. They recommended a different paediatrician. We then took our son to this new paediatrician who is absolutely fantastic!

I am finally going to seek help and support for my AS
I feel I am at one with it and ready to face the aspie world

Is this part of another thread? I'm confused.

Are you diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome? Are you joking? Not sure what to make of your post.

I'm glad you are going to seek help if that's what you need.

More in line with the thread--was your diagnosis anything other than AS before it was AS if it in fact was AS?

thanks,

equinn

First idiot paediatrician diagnosed him with PDD-NOS. Then psychologist and second paediatrician diagnosed hime with Asperger's.

Kilroy, glad you're going to get some help!

Helen

My son was diagnosed with PDD-NOS and basically we were told to go home. He is 3 1/2. OT and Lang evals he scored above all kids his age. Of course! What does an aspie do when they are: alone in a quiet environment, with Mom and Dad's full attention, and have a opportunity to show a soft spoken lady their block tower for a sucker. Well, I don't have to tell you. So, here we sit with no family support, no peds support, and no insurance for a second opinion. But why am I worrying, He is going to grow out of it, so they tell me. Meanwhile, he won't eat kix out of the box because he doesn't like the boy's face on the cereal box.

I hope your experience goes well. And I have discovered dx change frequently without much contrasting and/or new evidence

Larissa

Is there any reason I should pursue an answer to his behavior problems? It is what it is. I feel like I am giving up on him by doing nothing.

Larissa,

Pdd-nos should allow you services under the category of "autism" if you wanted/needed to go that route.

In my state, pdd-nos falls under the ASD umbrella and so is categorized, educationally, as autism. This provides all children, regardless of label, the proper services.

I wouldn't take it so lightely. Early intervention is best. Yet, if your son is so high functioning and doesn't require any services right now, then I'd give it time. If some issues need to be addressed, they will unfold.

I do know that Aspergers is not diagnosed in a 3 1/4 year old and is usually reserved for older kids. My son is seven, and, frankly, I feel he would have been better served with a dx of Aspergers. High IQ, no lang. delays, social impairments (but not enough). He didn't fit profile exactly according to evaluator. Still not convinced, but he has access to services so it'll do for now. Most people that meet him would agree with AS that are familiar with AS especially as he gets older and talks more out of context about knowledge and interests.

As for growing out of pdd-nos, the clinician who diagnosed your son is misusing the diagnosis. Everything I've read suggests otherwise. If a neurological disorder does not exist, the diagnosis should not be given to a child. A wait and see approach is best in this case. Yet, I have heard of some kids outgrowing pdd-nos, but maybe it's because it wasn't really there to begin with and was given as a temporary dx so child could access services.

I'm merely speculating. I wonder about these issues--hence, the post.