Expert: James Michael Roan - 3/7/2007

Question
My son was recently tested at school for autism and the tests reveal he has PDD-NOS and I know this is not a medical diaganosis.He now qualifies as a child with autism at school and is getting all the help at school. He also was diagnosed ADHD last summer and now I wonder if all his behavior/attention problems might be just from PDD. I really don't think the testing at school is questionable,but my question is what should I do next what would my son benefit from a medical diagnosis?

Answer
Hi Rachel;

Many children on the autism spectrum have problems with executive function (i.e., planning, organizing, initiating, etc.)which looks like ADHD.

A medical diagnosis would not change services at school, but I would check with your state's Department of Developmental Disability or under some similar name to see if there are additional services or funds available to you.

Yes, I think you are correct. Most of your son's behavior and attention is most likely due to his high functioning autism/PDD-NOS.

Kind regards,
James