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PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified)
OMG Why is my child different??
Because I am the parent of a child with PDD-NOS I know how stressful, and frustrating it can be when you see that your child is different from other children, and or if other people stare, and comment about certain behaviours your child may have or do. You wonder will my child ever speak, or play with other children? Will they be able to live normal productive lives as adults? I wanted to write this so that if someone has a child that may seem slightly off the norm, and you're concerned about their development that there is hope, and things will get better. This is just a quick list of resources about this diagnosis, and some gadgets for the kids.
Delay in Milestones
What can we do to fix this?
My wife and I first noticed that our son wasn't meeting certain milestones that were typical for infants of his age. He wasn't babbling like other infants, and even as he got older he seemed to have difficulty communicating with peers. After doing research online, and talking to a few people we decided to seek some help from early intervention program in our local area. If you haven't already gone through this step I highly recommend doing this it is the best thing you can do to help your child get the help they need.
Because we had gotten help through early intervention we then got a recommendation to see a Developmental Pediatrician, which you need a referral to go see. With this meeting with the doctor we learned why our son was different, and we can learn ways to help him, and understand him better. Our son was three years old when he was officially diagnosed with PDD- NOS, but the Early Intervention Therapists had suspected that he was autistic from the start. He is now four years old and talks in 4-5 word sentences, so he now can communicate better with his peers. He is also at the stage where he is asking a lot more questions, and wants to know what everything is. While he is not 100% there I have confidence now that he will be okay and that he is on the path to success, because we were concerned enough to seek help.
PDD-NoS is now Classified as being in the Autism Spectrum.
PECS (Picture Exchange System)
Giving your child a way to express their needs and wants
One good tool to use for a child that cannot communicate easily their needs and wants is to use the PECS system or Picture Exchange. Basically this is a book of cards that have words, and phrases allow with a picture that the child can easily identify to an item or activity. Sometimes therapists will use these to encourage your child to make choices and or to better understand them.
Speech Videos
Sometimes watching videos about speech can help your child learn the sounds needed to speak clearly. Here is a list of some that we found helpful.
Baby Chatterbox DVD
Baby Babble DVD
Baby Babble 2 DVD
Baby Babble 3 DVD
PDD-NOS related reading material
Some helpful books to educate yourself.
This has to be one of the best books about this diagnosis that I have read.
Helping PDD- Nos Kids Learn through Social Stories
We have used this book more than a few times to help our son to better understand certain situations.
For more info about these books please visit - http://www.thegraycenter.org/
Questions & Comments
Thanks for another avenue. My son is 14-years-old and bipolar (since 3.5 years - runs in our family) and we've looked at autism (no) but he has ADHD, too. Still, something is still missing. I continue to search and it's good to know other parents are in tune with their kids!
What a challenge and what a generous thing for you to share you experience with your child and this condition. Kudos to you!
It's tough being a parent many times and we always worry about how well our children are doing. I'm glad that your child is having some success. Thanks for sharing this with us.
I'm so glad to read that your son has got help and is progressing well. As a parent I know how easy it is to compare your child with all the other children around you and to worry when they are slower in certain areas.
Great Lens, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it! :)
Very happy for your son that he has caring parents!
I have Autism Spectrum Disorder. I found your lens very interesting. I wish they had the tools they have today when I was a child.
I hope that you don't take offense to this, but if I was born now a days they would probably have diagnosed me with some disorder like this. I think the reason more kids are diagnosed with disorders like this is because the doctors are labeling everything as a disorder. Their is nothing wrong with me, or your child, we are just different, don't let a doctor or anyone else tell you differently.
I know that diagnoses such as this are becoming much more common and the huge question in my head is, "Why?" I don't think anyone really knows, but I'm sure there are theories. I wish you the very best with your very special son! He's fortunate to have parents who will work hard to get him the intervention that he needs. Very glad to read that he's progressing well at this point. I'm sure it's frustrating for him, too. Thanks for sharing your son and this great information!
Thank you for sharing this.
Great lens! Squidlikes
I used work with children who were autistic. We used to use PECS with some of them to help with communication. It wa really helpful for the children and for us. Some of the children also used a sign language system called Makaton or Sign A Long. I was told by a Speech and Language Therapist that learning one of these sign language systems actually help children to develop other communication skills.
Interesting. Never heard of this before so it's another successful lens for the blogging community.
This is new to me but thanks for raising it. The lens will be better if you put a TOC at the top and explain the condition from your angel so we know what it is about and of your personal experience. How old is you son now and how well is he progressing?, Not everyone will watch a video. A few pics of your own will be good as well. Hugs
I never hear of this -- thanks for enlightening everyone
- Author
@Spiderlily321: Thank you, and sure.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I added you to my featured list lens called, "do you want to be a part of a support circle for parents blessed with special children?" under the section called PDD.
great lens
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