Prior to 2013, a person was diagnosed with PDD-NOS if they had some behaviors seen in autism but did not meet the full criteria for having an Autistic Disorder. Today, most children who would have been diagnosed with PDD-NOS would most likely be given a diagnosis of autism.
PDD-NOS Signs & Symptoms Prior to 2013
Often, children with PDD-NOS were thought to have a "milder" form of autism, though this may not be technically true. One symptom may be minor, while another may be debilitating.
Social Signs & Symptoms
Children diagnosed with PDD-NOS usually had social symptoms as well. They may want friends, but don't know how to make them. If they have language delays, this can also hinder their ability to socialize. Often, they have difficulty understanding body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. Another common symptom is difficulty understanding emotions. The child may not be able to distinguish when someone is happy, sad, or angry.
Communication Signs & Symptoms
Behavioral Signs & Symptoms
Behavioral symptoms can include emotional outbursts and tantrums. These children may become very dependent on routines and need things to stay the same. They can misinterpret situations and become frustrated easily. It is important to remember that when dealing with your child, often these tantrums are a result of fear, anxiety, or misunderstanding a situation.
PDD-NOS Checklist: Please note PDD-NOS was retired from the DSM in 2013.
Below is a checklist of symptoms that were used to diagnose a child with PDD-NOS. At that time, a person was diagnosed with PDD-NOS if they had some behaviors seen in autism but did not meet the full criteria for having an Autistic Disorder.
Checklist for Repetitive Behaviors and Unusual Interests
- lines up toys
- plays with toys in the same manner every time
- is very organized
- is rigid about routines or object placements
- upset by changes
- eat few foods or only certain textures
- eats inedible things (pica)
- smells food
- insensitive to pain
Helpful Toys & Games
Social Skills
Calming Products for Autism
Helpful Classroom Tools
- unaware of danger (e.g., hot things)
- tantrums for no apparent reason
- has obsessive interests
- hand flapping/finger flicking/toe walking
- self-stimulation
- likes spinning objects
- likes to spin him/herself
- likes parts of objects (e.g., wheels)
- does not use toys appropriately (lines up cars by color rather than zooming them)
- special areas of talent or expertise
- perseveration
- walks over things (e.g., toys) unaware
Social Signs & Symptoms Checklist for Communication & Language Symptoms
- repeats words/phrases of others (Echolalia)
- uses own language (jargoning)
- reverses pronouns I/me/my and you/your
- refers to self by name
- does not respond to conversational initiation
- gives unrelated answers to questions
- makes comments unrelated to conversation topic
- does not point
- does not respond to pointing
- uses few or no gestures
- talks in monotone or robot-like
- does not respond to own name
- no pretend play; doesnt understand pretend play
- does not understand jokes, sarcasm, idioms, teasing, or similes
Checklist for Social Symptoms
- avoiding eye-contact (actively or passively)
- looking away
- turning away
- not interested in having friends
- not interested in the activities of others
- not sharing/showing objects or interests with parents
- prefers to play alone
- lives in a world of their own
- does not imitate actions or language
- doesn't smile (or only at familiar people)
- seems unaware of others
- uses people as a tool (e.g., puts mother's hand on jar rather than asking or looking at person for request)
- only interacts to achieve a desired goal
- flat or inappropriate affect or facial expressions
- odd posture (e.g., looks sideways at person)
- does not understand personal space boundaries
- avoids or resists physical contact
- not comforted by others during distress