Pervasive Developmental Disorder

According to an article on WebMD website, Pervasive Developmental Disorders also known as PDDs, is referring to a group of conditions that involve delays in the development of many basic skills. Most notable among them are the ability to socialize with others, to communicate, and to use imagination. Children with these conditions often are confused in their thinking and generally have problems understanding the world around them. You can find the article here.

According to Brayden's therapist that helps him, PDDs is what they call an umbrella diagnosis.  Because under PDD falls the following categories; Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett Syndrome, and Pervasive development disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).  Which if I am remembering correctly the PDD-NOS is what Brayden's pediatrician diagnosed him with because if you go back to the article on WebMD and read the description for Asperger's, Brayden falls under that category. However, things in the Autisic Spectrum have changed tremendously over the years and according to the Autism Center Therapist we seen on November 7th, there are no longer any subcategories. Which to me is confusing because the whole point we wanted him diagnosed through the Autism center was we were under the impression they would be able to clarify exactly where he fell on the spectrum. I mean to his school therapist (which is also his weekly visit therapist) and his pediatrician they have both stated in all the years of doing therapy and being doctor that Brayden has Asperger's.  That in a sense makes me happy because that is as parents what we want.  We wanted to know exactly where on the spectrum he fell, therefor we could get him the adequate therapy he needed. I mean honestly know he is getting adequate therapy. I will explain furthermore in another post about what therapy he is in.

Since Brayden now is seeing two therapist and possibly a counselor soon (still not sure why on that one because his behavior in a sense is normal to us. No bad behavior really) but I will call the first therapist, school therapist, and the new one Autistic Therapist.  You may question why I don't just say there names but then again if you put your brain to use you'd know I am trying to save the privacy of my children.

Questions from the Autistic therapist,  What made us decide to have him seen at the Autism Center? She then stated was it because his school therapist, school officials, and pediatrician told you too and you just went with it.

The answer to that is yes and no, Yes because treating the type of Autism Brayden has or has been stated that he has if treated early on in life. He can function as a normal child, teenager, and man with guidance. I hate using the word normal but the way I explained it to Ken when we were riding around for our five year anniversary. That from an early age as parents and when he came into the picture we knew there was something there. We knew there was some type of "illness is what its refer too". Therefor like school therapist stated hes young enough that he's like putty. He can absorb and be molded.

The No part of that answer is because when Brayden was a baby infant size, our pediatrician and their pediatrics office have always went over the "Autism Checklist", if I can find similar questions that I was asked I will give y'all examples. However, almost all the questions except maybe 2 Brayden fit. I was always told by his peds doctor that he was just a self dependent baby.  Then when I go with Ken over five years ago now.  Shortly after being together he mentioned to me about Brayden doing things just like a family member of his. Then  six months into our relationship we moved in together and he voiced his opinion again. I kept going back to what the pediatrician stated about his independence. Then when I worked in home health I believe by the grace of God to show me the light of things, I was placed with an Autistic Girl. The more time I spent with her the more I began thinking back to Brayden's infancy to at that point now.  That was also the year he was in Pre-K and the teacher noticed it even after you know we spoke our concerns with her about Brayden because we knew if anything would alter his capability to learning we wanted o get him help. Kindergarten was good. Then we made it to first grade. That's when things began to change.  Click here to go to the post about Brayden's Unfinished Diagnosis, it goes into more depth.  

Below are some signs of Pervasive Developmental Disordered that I found on WebMD. Here is where you can find them on WebMD.

1. Difficulty with verbal communication, including problems using and understanding language
2. Difficulty with non-verbal communication, such as gestures and facial expressions
3. Difficulty with social interaction, including relating to people and to his or her surroundings
4. Unusual ways of playing with toys and other objects
5. Difficulty adjusting to changes in routine or familiar surroundings
6. Repetitive body movements or patterns of behavior, such as hand flapping, spinning, and head banging
7. Changing response to sound; the child may be very sensitive to some noises and seem to not hear others.
8. Temper tantrums
9. Difficulty sleeping
10. Aggressive behavior
11. Fearfulness or anxiety

These are signs of someone who may be experiencing Pervasive Developmental Disorder. 

Again, if you like to read the whole article on WebMd, please go to this page.

Another good website to go to learn more about autism, is www.autismspeaks.org

Also when explain above about Brayden's pediatrician diagnosing him with PDD-NOS, here is a good article about that as well.  

Thank You so much for your interest about Autism and PDD. 
I am a beginner in all of this and learning new things as we go along. If you have any advice or just words of wisdom. Please comment below. Or you may email me at eichhorstdiedra@gmail.com

Sincerely Grateful, 

Diedra