Where Would a PDD-NOS Diagnosis Fall Now?

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Hi everybody,

When I was 3 in March 1997, I was referred to a specialist by my preschool (which was a blended preschool that had students both with and without special needs) after they observed that I was withdrawn and didn't want to play with other kids (I only parallel played, which was a sign apparently) yet I was already able to read and showed other unusual behavior for a toddler, such as poor motor skills. The diagnosis I received from the specialist was Pervasive Developmental Disorder- None Otherwise Specified (aka PDD-NOS). The specialist also told my mother I was likely to "grow out of it" and it would "fade into perhaps personality quirks" Looking back, it seems like an odd thing for them to say, but when I was around 15, my psychologist at the time told me she thought I had Asperger's Syndrome (which I know is also an outdated term along with PDD-NOS) though she never gave me paperwork stating it so my only official ASD-mentioning paperwork still says PDD-NOS to this day.

I don't really want to go through the procedure of another evaluation but I am curious... with the current criteria for autism diagnosing, where would I possibly fall with things such as levels? I've heard people refer to what was formerly called Asperger's as "Level 1 Autism". I believe the levels have to do with supports and aside from working with a therapist for my high anxiety levels and a psychiatrist for medication, I don't receive anything.

Thanks for reading, I know this is kind of a long and possibly strange post

Thank you so much for your response I honestly suspected the same. I have no idea what the future will bring but I don't think being re-evaluated is something I need currently, I'm very lucky to have health insurance.

Since you have a well-established PDD-NOS DSM-IV diagnosis you would fall under Autism Spectrum Disorder and should be given the appropriate severity levels.

In truth, people of all “functioning levels” could have been diagnosed with PDD-NOS. All PDD-NOS meant was that some of the criteria for autism were not met.

You could be mildly disabled and have PDD-NOS.

You could be severely disabled and have PDD-NOS.

Most with that diagnosis probably had mild disability.

Thanks for the replies everybody.

I think regarding the Wikipedia quotation, I am probably a part of the first subgroup because I have had one or two social workers/therapists that have told my mother that they question the PDD-NOS diagnosis. However, my mom firmly believes me to be on the spectrum and claims that those therapists weren't trained to work with individuals with an ASD diagnosis so they may not have seen the traits in me.

I might bring all of this up with my current therapist though she and I tend to work on ways to help me with my anxiety and coping with a lot of the things I am going through right now. This is definitely something I want to learn more about, however.