Expert: James Michael Roan - 4/21/2006

Question
I have a 11 yr old son who was diagnosed recently w/PDD-NOS. He has already been diagnosed with hearing impairment (4 yrs of age-wears hearing aids), ADHD (4 yrs-on Adderall since then), CAPD (4yrs of age), SID (OT started at 4 ys), genetic disorder that has not been identified (has slight dysmorphic features, possibly hearing loss part of this, short stature, small fingers) He has high avergae intelligence. Been served in the hearing impaired/deaf class since first grade in public school. Now since last August is in the state school for deaf and blind due to family move to an area with poor education for these children. Now that we are starting to understand his disability a little better (PDD) and why he has these behaviors and how important I believe it is for his academic and socail success for the educators involved to be knowledable about this diagnosis. I am trying to find any info, resources that may help educate me on making sure his needs are being met. Having these numerous diagnosis's complicate the picture and I need to find an expert who can guide me in getting the appropiate interventions- (academically, behaviorally and social skills) Any ideas?
I can find many websites and info regarding the individual disabilities but not with multiple.
Thank you
Marcie Delgado
Parent

Answer
Hi Marcie;

I'm glad you wrote me. I see these multiple diagnoses all of the time. The truth is that they are really core features of PDD-NOS. The ADHD is almost always a misdiagnosis, when the actual issue is executive dysfunction. Children with Asperger's or PDD-NOS almost always have trouble with auditory figure-ground problems or attending to one salient auditory stimulus in the presence of competing auditory stimuli. My view is that this is again due to executive dysfunction. Finally, sensory problems are very typical in children on the autism spectrum.

I'll have to spend the weekend carefully considering how to attack the huge problem of locating and/or training knowledgeable staff and/or aides. I can easily recommend interventions. Would you be willing to write me back requesting such please? I don't want to get distracted and forget to respond.

Have a nice weekend.

Kind Regards,
James