What is PDD?
The DSM or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual was created in 1952 by the American Psychiatric Association. In the almost 70 years since it was first published it has become the international bible for mental health diagnosis. Part of the DMS’s importance stems from the fact that it is regularly updated and with every change the way trained professionals diagnose people, especially children are affected directly.
What is Pervasive Developmental Disorder?
One of the best examples of this is the type of shift has affected our work here at Steinberg Behavior Solutions. It involves the labeling of Pervasive Developmental Disorder or PDD. According to the previous DSM-IV (4th Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual), PDD was used to describe individuals who showed significant delays in language and communication, social-emotional development, and repetitive or restricted behaviors.
You might be saying to yourself, “This sounds like the criterion for an autism diagnosis.” If you are, you are right! Under the DSM-IV, PDD was an overarching term it was never a specific diagnosis and included the following 5 disorders:
- Autism disorder
- Asperger syndrome
- Pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)
- Childhood disintegrative disorder, and
- Rett’s Disorder
What is PDD-NOS?
According to the DSM-IV, an individual who received a diagnosis of PDD-NOS met most of the criterion for an autism disorder but showed a significant amount of social behavior that would have disqualified them from receiving an autism diagnosis. These individuals were thought of as having “mild autism” or exhibiting some characteristics that indicated an association with autism, but not quite enough to be given that diagnosis.
What changed?
However, in 2013 when the updated and revised DSM-V (5th Edition of DSM, published in 2013) was released, parents of and professionals who worked with PDD children were met with a surprise. One of the most significant changes was that the separate diagnostic labels of Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, and PDD-NOS were replaced by one umbrella term “Autism Spectrum Disorder” (ASD).
As part of the change, distinctions were now being made based on the amount of support needed. As an example, a person might be diagnosed with ASD, Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3.
According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the reason for using the umbrella term “Autism Spectrum Disorder” was because the old way wasn’t precise enough. They found different clinicians were diagnosing the same person with different disorders. They even found some were changing their diagnosis of the same symptoms from year to year.
What happens to PDD?
As per the DSM-V, a child who had previously received a PDD diagnosis would now be diagnosed as being on the autism disorder spectrum. Whether they had been previously diagnosed with Asperger’s, autism or Rett’s Disorder should have their diagnosis adjusted to an ASD diagnosis (i.e. level 1, level 2).
The future of PDD and ASD
Autism spectrum disorders are never simple to diagnose. That is why we at Steinberg Behavior Solutions encourage parents to obtain an evaluation from a qualified professional. Regardless if you have a child with the former PDD or the newer ASD diagnosis help is available. Though there is no cure, with early intervention, together we can increase the functioning of the individual by supporting language, communication development, teaching social skills, and addressing any repetitive behavior that might be detrimental to your child’s functioning. We are here to help.
REFERENCES
- Autism Speaks
Levine, Karen. Pervasive Developmental Disorders: PDD-NOS, Asperger’s Disorder, and Autism. Institute for community Inclusion. 1994.