difference between PDD-NOS and asperger syndrome?

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Well, lots of times doctors will diagnose a very young child PDD-NOS as a way of saying, "Well, they're autistic, but I'm not sure how yet," and then when they get older, it looks exactly like AS (or whatever) so they get a more specific diagnosis.

Either that, or it's a doctor who's afraid to say "autism", and a kid who obviously has classic autism ('autistic disorder'); but that's technically a misdiagnosis. It can also be problematic for programs that allow autism but not PDD-NOS, probably because they don't know that PDD-NOS is a sort of autism to begin with, just like AS is.

I'm just guessing here, but that's what I've seen.

I agree with this. It has nothing to do with which traits/symptoms are present, or absent, or where the person's "functioning level" is.

My son has this dx, because he didn't qualify for classic autism, or AS. He didn't qualify for classic autism, because he does have some social/emotional reciprocity, and some eye contact, albiet in a very awkward, atypical way. He didn't meet AS category, because he has a speech delay. He is obviously autistic in his behavior, though I think he will grow up to be very AS-ish once his language catches up fully.

Danielsmyname, it has nothing to do with which symptoms, as my son HATES change. I used to not even be able to take a different route to the store without a monster meltdown, and he memorizes the calendar (with appointments, ect..) so that he will know what to expect, and when. He knows exactly what day we have to do what on, and will notice even the slightest rescheduling. He also stims all the time, everyday, and has obsessions. (currently, thomas the tank engine videos on youtube) I believe his dx to be correct, as he was seen by a neurologist, and a child developmental pediatrician who have totally different ways of diagnosing, and they still both came up with PDD-NOS.

It's like that with the label 'atypical autism' of the ICD too.

Some doctors are afraid to label a person with 'infantile' autism (classical autism) and instead diagnose atypical autism, especially when parents notice that a child is showing some sort of affection.

Show me an autistic child who doesn't feel affection for his parents, and I'll show you some parents who aren't listening.

Which then results in that the doctors of course are reinforced in their stereotypical believe and directly also reinforce the parents who have not yet noticed that their child is trying to somehow communicate with them. [If it's the case that some parents do not pay attention and then go and see a professional]

I really don't expect a professional who sees an unfamiliar kid to notice how that child shows affection to its parents (or other people), so I think that someone (maybe professionals, better therapists and such) should educate the parents on how what their child does is not 'all without a purpose and irrational'.

I know PDD-NOS is supposed to be for people who have the severe social deficits but don't fill other criteria, but I've had a different experience. My little brother has horrible social skills, yes, but like me they say he has to much social and emotional reciprocity to be stereotypical Asperger's. He has all the other traits of AS, though, so they stuck him with PDD-NOS. I got the AS diagnosis though.

It can also mean that you are so severely disabled by something (possibly related to autism, possibly not) that you are unable to do some of the things required for an autism diagnosis.