Expert: Dr Billy Levin - 1/22/2007

Question
May I ask if my son will grow as a normal child. Can you give as some advice on how to help him, (aside from speech therapy).
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Thank you finding time to answer my letter. I just want to ask does the Pervasive disorder is similar to autism. Because my husband and worried that he might be liked that.
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I have a 2 years old son. At first my husband and i think that he just having a delay speech. Until someone told us to bring him in speech pathologist for help. So we find one after first session she advice us to let our son have an Occupational therapist. Afte another session they told ust to let our child be check up by developmental pedia.
The result of the developmenental pedia is " present working impression is Pervasive Develpmental Disorder". Without even knowing what it was my husband and I know that its not a good result.
Can you tell me what does it mean. And is it an accurate result for my son age.
And please can you find an cheaper speech therapist for us. And another Developmental Pedia, because my husband want a second opinion. We live in Manila, Phils.
For now i was the one teaching my son to talk, can you give also some advice. And i've notice that my son is having a temperamental moods.
Thank you for finding time to read and answer my letter.
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Your description matches the Paediatrician,s diagnosis so there is no need to get another opinion. Don't forger his diagnosis matches both the Occupatgional therapist and the speech therapists concepts. Thats why they referred you. Pervasive Developement Disorders mean the child is maturing slower that other children in various areas of developement. One of the most frequent is in speech. As two year olds are difficult his tempermental behaviour might just be part of the age or might suggest he will become hyperactive later. Ask you doctor about other tbherapists who might charge less in the area where you stay. Starting therapy eatly gives the child a chance to catch up.Sometimes medication is used but much less often at this young age.
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Autism is not the same as Pervasive Developement Disorder

Answer
P.D.D. is a serious handicap for any child requiring many years of therapy, medication and management. Thus to expect him to grow as a normal child is expecting too much! It is important not to demand from the child more than he is capable of doing. But in time he will improve if the diasgnosis, treatment and management is correct. I certainly could not even start to try and tell you what is required in a short comment like this. There is much to much to say. Talk you your Paediartrician and the therapists. Good luck