While its true that children diagnosed with PDD-NOS, as a whole, show fewer intellectual deficits and are higher-functioning than autistic children, many others who fit the criteria for PDD-NOS have some autistic features but also have intellectual deficits that are so severe that its difficult or impossible to tell whether some of the deficits come from the autism or from the severe to profound degree of intellectual disability itself. Furthermore, some others who fit the criteria for PDD-NOS come to professional attention at a later age, compared to those diagnosed with autism. Subgroups
Studies suggest that persons with PDD-NOS belong to one of three very different subgroups:
A high-functioning group (around 25 percent) whose symptoms more or less overlap with that of Asperger syndrome, while also not meeting the criteria for autistic disorder, but who completely differ from those with Asperger syndrome in terms of having a lag in language development and/or mild cognitive impairment. (The criteria for Asperger syndrome excludes a speech delay or a cognitive delay in early life.) Another group (around 25 percent) whose symptoms more closely resemble those of autism, but do not fully meet all its diagnostic signs and symptoms. This is because either the symptoms were recognized at a later age or because they were too young or have cognitive deficits that are too severe to properly identify all the symptoms of autism that they may have.
The biggest group (around 50 percent) consists of those who meet all the diagnostic criteria for autistic disorder but whose stereotypical and repetitive behaviors are noticeably mild. Treatment
There is no known cure for PDD-NOS, but there are interventions that can have a positive influence. Some of the more common therapies and services include:
Visual and environmental supports, visual schedules
Social stories and comic strip conversations
Speech therapy
Physical and occupational therapy

References


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