Category — 2.1 Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD): PDD-NOS

Children with PDD-NOS exhibit some of the symptoms of ASD, to some degree or another, but do not fit into any of the previously mentioned categories of autism.

Description

Most of these children usually have average or above-average intelligence and they are usually diagnosed much later in life than children with standard ASD. Some children with autism may be diagnosed with Multiplex Syndrome, that is, a combination of autism and schizophrenia or autism and obsessive compulsive disorder. Intervention plans for these children need to be based on a functional analysis assessment. This assessment will focus on trying to understand the specific difficulties for children with multiplex syndrome, and particularly in the cognitive, social, emotional and behavioral areas.

Intervention options

Intervention options are strategies, programs and resources that are available for parents and for service providers working with children with additional needs, and the professionals working with children and families:

• Infant or child support development consultant through the  Infant Development Program/ Aboriginal Infant Development Program Supported Child Development Program/ Aboriginal Supported Child Development
•  Sensory Integration therapy
• Academic preparation: children with PDD may have difficulties with specific learning skills and will benefit from the help of small group and/or individualized learning support from a resource teacher. An Individualized Educational Program or Plan (IEP) needs to be in place for children with PDD.

Interventionists working with children with PDD include the following:

• Occupational therapist
• Physiotherapist
• Behavioral therapist
• Speech language pathologist
• Mental health therapists

1. More than 400 known intervention options for parents to explore from the Interactive Autism Network, Yale Child Stucy Center: http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/therapies_treatments/

http://www.handsinautism.org/lifewithasd.html