PDD NOS in adults?

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Hi again for sometime now I have wondered if I could be on the Autism spectrum. Mainly because I have often felt a bit different from most people and the fact I was often labelled as "quiet" in school and in college etc, rarely described as shy which I find interesting. Also due to the fact that my mother who even works with Autistic kids and those with special needs (and has done most of her life) sees Autistic traits in me for example (being "quiet" a lot, I used to line up all my toys as child, not sharing feelings or problems with others).

Now I have done a lot of reading about Autism although it's frustrating but there isn't very good information for adults especiallly.

Anyway I believe I could have PDD NOS because I tick a lot of the boxes for it.

For example kids with PDD NOS often have issues with speech, motorskills, and social interaction compared to most kids. Now as a kid I had speech and talking problems which I went to occupational therapy for, my adopted parents parents noticed when I was 3 my right foot stuck out when I walked and my feet were very flat one doctor apparently said I had the flattest feet he had ever seen. When I got to school sports were difficult and I definately felt like I stood out like a sore thumb compared to the other kids. I couldn't catch or kick a ball properly, gymnastics were a real challenge I guess because of co-ordination and I was often last to be picked on a sport team as a result. I had difficulties doing basic things like tying my shoes laces until I was 15 or something, cutting up my food with a knife and fork, I also had difficulities washing my own hair until my late teens and my parents had to do it for me. I was told I had poor muscle tone and motor and eye co-ordination problems which I got help with, with months of pysciotheraphy and strenghing exercises.

In school it was apparent I had problems with words, reading comprehention, writing, spelling and handwriting, especially maths which was really difficulit even basic sums. I was told I had a maths age of an 8 year old in my mid teens. They also said difficulty with maths is likely due to having a short term/poor memory as well. Actually I had many tests done and I was diagnosed with Dyspraxia and Dyslexia when I was young, all the people testing me agreed I had a learning disability although mild and more specific than general. I had gearing tests done because I appeared "deaf" but came back normal, I had eye tests done which the doctor said my reading is much slower without glasses and miss out words and lines when reading. Since then I got C in GCSE English though I was told I have "average" intelligance in IQ tests.

Socially I remember in my second school that I tried to make friends but didn't know how and found it difficulty but at somepoint I made a few friends with a boy with celebal palsy, another who loved videogames (like I did he also helped me with school work) I had another friend who had definate Autistic traits. In college however I didn't make friends and was often a loner but I liked me my own company though even a kid I enjoyed being alone. Typically I would talk to certain people about things I liked or they liked, movies, videogames etc. I suppose because because that's what I am in to.

Other things are in school and college people said how quiet I was and I was resereved socially, even a stranger recently knew I was different because I was quiet to everyone else. It almost seems as though they sense I am different somehow to most people? I can be quite talkative though if talking about something interesting or my interests but also I tend to be naturally detached and quiet and I can be for long periods of time.People have told me I am in my own world.

My thinking tends to be concrete (black and white) and I often tend to take things litterally which is why sometimes I don't always get when someone is joking or being sarcastic. My sense of humour has been described as very dry and I believe this is because I tend to think literal. For example I was food shopping with my sister and her husband when she said to me "are you okay with cereals" and I said "it's okay I'm not scared of them" which made them laugh. On that note I often don't get jokes even when explained to me.

Other things are my mum told me that I used to go on about the same thing a lot like "what is for tea" all the time this could be because of having a short term memory. I sometimes get obsessed with videogames as well or movies like I learn everthing about them and become totally absorbed in as though they're all I really care about. I tend to "tune" people out around me at times. Socially though I do feel I am polite and I try and ask others about themselves but rarely find them asking much about me, I think I have more aqaintances than "friends" (real friends) because I do find making meaningful friendships and maintaining them difficult.

Fortunately I had a lot of help early on and my co-ordenation, writing, spelling, maths etc has improved. I even learned to touch type quite fast after a year of traning in college (Office course). I guess the main problems today are short term memory, remembering and understanding instructions, information processing, slow to carry out tasks etc.

Can anyone relate to this? Does anyone else have simular experience or more information on PDD NOS?

Thanks

Wow! For the most part, your description of yourself is essentially a mirror view of myself! Seriously! I'd have to nit-pick to find differences between us, given what you've written here. I like how you say "What is for tea?" because that's pretty much the British equivalent of what I ask my parents all the time, "What are we going to eat for dinner?" They tease me about that all the time, but I can't help it, I just want to know!

If what you've written is indeed more indicative of PDD-NOS rather than AS (I haven't researched the differences all that much), then that could perhaps be the proper diagnosis for me as well.

You've described me word, for word in that post. It was like somebody was writing my life story, without me even knowing.

Your description of your childhood sounds like my son. He is only 5, so I am not sure how his future will go, but he sounds a lot like what you described. He was diagnosed at 2.5 with PDD-NOS/possible Aspergers. I think he fits PDD more than AS so far. He has extremely flat feet too!

Hey everybody! Well, I actually have PPD-NOS and I got diagnosed about 6 weeks ago (after finishing grad school - thankfully not in the middle of it haha!). I had a speech delay so that disqualified me from having an AS diagnosis. However, they can't tease apart whether it's from early deprivation in an orphanage (where I lived for the first 18 months of life) or whether it would have happened even if I was adopted earlier. I don't have classic Autism either because I seem to be more relational than what is generally expected from people on the spectrum. However, I came (in my evaluator's words) very, very close to having autistic disorder (High Functioning). I still have a fair amount of autistic traits like fixations, problems with social communication at times, stimming, some problems with short-term & working memory, and probably gait problems.

It feels weird to have a diagnosis that doesn't nicely fit into a category that most people understand, but it's reassuring to have a diagnosis nonetheless because I have a framework to see different traits that I have. It's definitely a big step to go for that 'official' diagnosis, but the pieces of your life seem to fit better once it's done.

Don't know if you're PDD-NOS or Asperger's (you didn't mention a speech delay), but yeah, you sound like it's logical to check whether you're on the spectrum. The more important question is, do you really need help? If not, there's not much point in seeking diagnosis, because that's the purpose of a diagnosis--to access services. (Minor help counts, though. Like even if you only need a counselor or a driving instructor or something like that.)

Callista, I have to disagree. Whilst on a personal level, a diagnosis will make little difference to me ( I am convinced I have AS and what I have learned so far has made a huge difference to how I cope with life's little surprises etc.) I am having big problems at my place of work. It used to be a place of comfortable routine, familiar and soothing surroundings. I've been there for 7 years, and it was my safety net in an otherwise difficult and turbulent world. However, recent changes have turned this upside down, I have been unable to cope and am suffering from terrible depression and anxiety. At work they are refusing to make any reasonable changes to help me back to being a useful and beneficial member of staff that even they agree I used to be. A diagnosis would force them to look at their systems and try to accommodate me within reason in the work place. I don't like labels of any sort, but this is ignorance that is affecting my quality of life, and it is my life and I want to live it. I hope this doesn't sound aggressive, or like an attack, because it isn't meant to be.

Oooh. Just realised how old this thread is...

Hmm... I have flat feet, too. I wonder if there's a connection between Autistic disorders and flat feet?

Then I don't have PDD-NOS, as my feet have high-arch, a bit higher than average I think... A big relief!

Yes. I suspect you have pervasive developmemtal disorder not otherwise specified. Your story is the same as mine. I suspect to have PDD-NOS. I was diagnosed with "autistic" like symptoms and was given spech therapy. I was integrated to main classrooms. I can do well academically, but like you, I struggled a lot with sports and dance, can't make close friends, think too literally, and have difficulty remembering instructions. I'm a loner and rarely date. My only ex boyfriend is unfortunately a closeted gay and I didn't notice that until I broke up with him. I'm already 5 years single and haven't found romance. I was a former registered nurse terminated by my former CEO because of my "ADHD" traits but actually because I have difficulties in language comprehension and expression, motor skills, and socialization. I am often called a liar and self-centered and childish. I can't hold a regular job for the past 7 years from call centers to secretary. I remembered back in college that one of my clinical instructors shouted at me and labeled me an idiot. I was diagnosed with ADHD back then but I doubt I have that. I suspect that I have dyspraxia but clumsiness isn't only my problem. Years later after being terminated from a nursing home, I realized that I suffer from atypical autism (PDD-NOS) and it's really hard to accept that. Currently I'm unemployed and am studying diploma in music major in violin. Hope this will help me get a regular job.

I still have meltdowns amd shutdowns and can't seem to manage both that made my mom hurt in the process. I am totally ashamed of myself and I don't deserve to have a romantic relationship or have a family. I don't know how to manage myself as PDD-NOS is not known in my native Philippines. But don't lose hope. When you're aware of your ASD, you're on your way to enlightenment. To have a permanent job, sell your best work, not your speech skills, ie musician, librarian, etc. When it comes to relationships, never expect to have close friends or lovers unless they have an ASD too or are aware of ASD conditions.