Expert: Catherine Ridenour - 5/13/2005

Question
We are having a problem with getting a diagnosis for our 8 year old son. He has been seen by 3 different doctors and gotten 3 different diagnosises. He has been diagnosed with immature/delayed neurologic system, severe ADHD, and PDD-NOS. I was just wondering what the difference is in the diagnosis.

Our son takes things very personally, doesn't get jokes, will repeat parts of movies that he has heard at odd times, has problems with making friends, doesn't take the time to eat, sleep, toilet if he is engrossed in something that is interesting to him, has some major sensory issues when it comes to sounds and touch, he lines his cars, will spin things from time to time, I could go on and on.

But, I don't think that the dr. can see past the ADHD. He only gets like that when he is out of his element. He acts up when we go out in public and was known to wonder off when he was a toddler. His processing speed is very high, but his verbal and non verbal scores are average. Ther is an 11 point difference between them and also his full scale IQ.  

Any help that you could give would be very appreciated,

Thank you,

Beth

Answer
Most of what you describe would lead me to believe that the PDD-NOS is the closest thing to correct.  Asperger's Syndrome (AS) is one type of "high-functioning" autism (HFA).  PDD-NOS is one of the catch-all categories that can include both HFA and AS, but can be a category in itself.

Many AS/HFA children appear hyperactive in unusual surroundings.  They are over-stimulated by the unaccustomed sights and sounds. Some actually are ADHD in addition to being autistic.  Some autistic people have other learning disabilities, some have extraordinary talents and both can exist in the same person.  Most have "passions" about particular subjects and become fascinated by them for long periods of time even to the exclusion of food, sleep and personal hygiene.

I know you're tired of seeing one doctor after another and I don't know what is available to you, but I would recommend finding an autism specialist, if you can.

Bear in mind I am not a doctor but a parent who, like you, searched for a diagnosis for my child's difference.  Don't give up.  Your son will need a diagnosis to qualify for an IEP (Individualised Education Plan) which he will certainly need in public school.  That diagnosis needs to be accurate for proper accomodations to be made.

You may find more help from the educational community than the medical.  AS and HFA are not something that can currently be medicated, even when diagnosed.  There are programs and methods, however, for teaching the social skills AS/HFA children lack.  

Check out the following online resources:
http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/
http://www.autism-resources.com/

There are many other good websites out there.  Beware of those promising a "cure" or quick fix.  Autism is a lifelong difference, though it does not rule out successful living, neither can it be left, totally, behind.

Best wishes to you and your son.

Catherine