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General Parenting
Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) vs. classic autism
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<blockquote data-quote="Marguerite" data-source="post: 7490" data-attributes="member: 1991"><p>It's really difficult, and sometimes maybe inappropriate, to subdivide autism spectrum disorder into sub-categories. You get the ones who fit this category as well as that, or don't seem to fit it at all except when you really look closer; or maybe are given a cursory assessment that overlooks hidden abilities or hidden problems.</p><p></p><p>The issue always boils down to - how is your child coping? What does your child need? What is helping your child? What is making it more difficult for him?</p><p></p><p>The overall Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) assessment is the same for us in Australia but different health professionals have different ideas, beyond that.</p><p>difficult child 3 is moderate on the Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) scale. When originally diagnosed we were told he was "borderline" which is the politically correct way of saying, "he's retarded."</p><p>"He will never be able to attend a normal school," they told us. "Maybe in another year you could begin making enquiries but he won't be ready for ANY school by then, it will take him much longer to get there, if at all."</p><p></p><p>difficult child 3 still scores moderate on the Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) scale. However, his IQ has since tested as mid 140s. He is definitely high-functioning.</p><p></p><p>The people we've seen also define "high functioning" as "able to communicate with minimal deficits". In other words, difficult child 3 has now caught up with his significant language delay. There are still speech oddities with him as well as weird gaps in his knowledge but his drive to learn and "pretend to be normal" as he puts it, are closing the academic gap.</p><p></p><p>difficult child 3 has some strange needs at times. We've found that our method of home schooling (correspondence) is the best so far for helping him in every way. he has improved socially and done brilliantly academically. Yesterday at his end of year Presentation Day he received awards as follows: first in German, first in Maths, second in Music, equal third in Technology. A year ago we didn't think this would ever happen. </p><p></p><p>The best you can hope for in your child is for him to be happy and the best he can be, given what he has to deal with. Our job as parents is to help him achieve this. If the best he can be is to simply learn to communicate and develop some basic living skills, then you have won. If, as we hope with difficult child 3, the best he can be is to work professionally with computers later on, then that is our target. </p><p></p><p>If you feel you need a more specific diagnosis for this, then go for it. But be prepared to not get the results you feel are correct - opinions really do vary a lot.</p><p></p><p>Have you read anything by Temple Grandin? I've talked to difficult child 3 about her; from what I gather, she was as severe as difficult child 3 in childhood but intensive intervention and therapy helped her find her own direction. The combination of her own drive, other people's positive support and her own inbuilt abilities have got her to where she is today. I have attended a lecture of hers when she came to Australia - it was inspirational.</p><p></p><p>The best thing you can do is support your child, nurture him like the egg of a rare, valuable bird you want to help hatch. Love him, enjoy him, stimulate his mind and general development. He is a rare, priceless treasure who can develop into a wonderful human being, with your help.</p><p></p><p>As parents we do what we feel we have to, to help our children. Something in your mummy gut is telling you that you could be doing more. Explore that, find out where it's coming from, and see what you can do in every way to help him. The explosive behaviour- check out "Explosive Child" and see how you can begin to implement things. We've found it made a big difference to difficult child 3 and as a follow on, his development progressed dramatically once we reduced his frustration and anxiety.</p><p></p><p>You do what you do. Trust your instincts. Be prepared to break rules because our kids ARE different and learn differently.</p><p></p><p>Marg</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Marguerite, post: 7490, member: 1991"] It's really difficult, and sometimes maybe inappropriate, to subdivide autism spectrum disorder into sub-categories. You get the ones who fit this category as well as that, or don't seem to fit it at all except when you really look closer; or maybe are given a cursory assessment that overlooks hidden abilities or hidden problems. The issue always boils down to - how is your child coping? What does your child need? What is helping your child? What is making it more difficult for him? The overall Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) assessment is the same for us in Australia but different health professionals have different ideas, beyond that. difficult child 3 is moderate on the Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) scale. When originally diagnosed we were told he was "borderline" which is the politically correct way of saying, "he's retarded." "He will never be able to attend a normal school," they told us. "Maybe in another year you could begin making enquiries but he won't be ready for ANY school by then, it will take him much longer to get there, if at all." difficult child 3 still scores moderate on the Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) scale. However, his IQ has since tested as mid 140s. He is definitely high-functioning. The people we've seen also define "high functioning" as "able to communicate with minimal deficits". In other words, difficult child 3 has now caught up with his significant language delay. There are still speech oddities with him as well as weird gaps in his knowledge but his drive to learn and "pretend to be normal" as he puts it, are closing the academic gap. difficult child 3 has some strange needs at times. We've found that our method of home schooling (correspondence) is the best so far for helping him in every way. he has improved socially and done brilliantly academically. Yesterday at his end of year Presentation Day he received awards as follows: first in German, first in Maths, second in Music, equal third in Technology. A year ago we didn't think this would ever happen. The best you can hope for in your child is for him to be happy and the best he can be, given what he has to deal with. Our job as parents is to help him achieve this. If the best he can be is to simply learn to communicate and develop some basic living skills, then you have won. If, as we hope with difficult child 3, the best he can be is to work professionally with computers later on, then that is our target. If you feel you need a more specific diagnosis for this, then go for it. But be prepared to not get the results you feel are correct - opinions really do vary a lot. Have you read anything by Temple Grandin? I've talked to difficult child 3 about her; from what I gather, she was as severe as difficult child 3 in childhood but intensive intervention and therapy helped her find her own direction. The combination of her own drive, other people's positive support and her own inbuilt abilities have got her to where she is today. I have attended a lecture of hers when she came to Australia - it was inspirational. The best thing you can do is support your child, nurture him like the egg of a rare, valuable bird you want to help hatch. Love him, enjoy him, stimulate his mind and general development. He is a rare, priceless treasure who can develop into a wonderful human being, with your help. As parents we do what we feel we have to, to help our children. Something in your mummy gut is telling you that you could be doing more. Explore that, find out where it's coming from, and see what you can do in every way to help him. The explosive behaviour- check out "Explosive Child" and see how you can begin to implement things. We've found it made a big difference to difficult child 3 and as a follow on, his development progressed dramatically once we reduced his frustration and anxiety. You do what you do. Trust your instincts. Be prepared to break rules because our kids ARE different and learn differently. Marg [/QUOTE]
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