Mental Health Neurodevelopmental Disorders Autism Diagnosis What Is a PDD-NOS Diagnosis? By Lisa Jo Rudy Lisa Jo Rudy Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Lisa Jo Rudy, MDiv, is a writer, advocate, author, and consultant specializing in the field of autism. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 12, 2022 Medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD Medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Huma Sheikh, MD, is a board-certified neurologist, specializing in migraine and stroke, and affiliated with Mount Sinai of New York. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Prior to 2013, there were five separate diagnoses that existed on the autism spectrum. One of them was called pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). It is now known as atypical autism, autistic tendencies, or autistic traits in people with the diagnosis. The five subtypes were folded into a single diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) published in 2013. This includes an assessment of the severity of the disorder, as defined by a level of 1, 2, or 3. This article briefly explains signs and symptoms associated with this ASD diagnosis and how healthcare providers arrive at it. It also offers ideas on how to access quality care and resources for people living with ASD. Cultura / Sigrid Gombert Collection / Riser / Getty Images Symptoms of Atypical Autism Symptoms of atypical autism tend to be milder than many people with autism experience. As with all types of ASD, atypical autism likely includes difficulties with social communication. The symptoms may include: Atypical or inappropriate social behaviorDifficulty with fine or large motor skills, visual or spatial organization, or cognitive skillsDelays in speech or language comprehensionDifficulty with transitionsDeficits in nonverbal and/or verbal communicationIncreased or decreased sensitivities to taste, sight, sound, smell and/or touchRepetitive or ritualistic behaviors Children with atypical autism, like those with any form of ASD, can have a wide range of intellectual and verbal abilities. They also may have severe symptoms in one area, perhaps communication, but don't have problems with another symptom like repetitive behaviors. The Spectrum of Autism Symptoms Diagnostic Challenges PDD-NOS was essentially a diagnosis of exclusion, a "catchall" term used for people who were on the autism spectrum but didn't fully meet the criteria for another autistic disorder in use at the time. The category was so general and so vague that it told parents, therapists, and teachers very little. A PDD-NOS diagnosis could mean virtually anything. The new approach introduced in the DSM-5 may offer more insight. One study found that roughly a third (32%) of prior PDD-NOS diagnoses actually fit a diagnosis of social communication disorder. There is no simple test used to diagnose atypical autism. Healthcare providers assess the skills and behaviors of someone who may have this form of ASD. They rely on parents and teachers who observe a child when deciding on a diagnosis, or similar information when dealing with an adult. Recap Atypical autism, formerly called PDD-NOS, is often a mild form of autism. Like others living with an ASD diagnosis, people may experience difficulty with speech or skills. Many will have problems with social communication or behavior. An autism evaluation will help to determine the diagnosis and next steps for treatment. Be sure that the healthcare provider you choose has experience with and knowledge of autism spectrum disorders. Treatment Many of the recommended treatments for people with ASD are likely to be very similar, even though each case is unique. Therapy is an important part of treatment and may include: speech therapyoccupational therapyphysical therapysocial skills therapy In some cases, appropriate medication may be used to help people with specific symptoms of atypical autism. While there is no cure, these treatments may be of great benefit to a child's development, or for an adult with ASD as they move forward with improved quality of life. How Autism Is Treated Coping People with atypical autism who benefit from treatment will still have challenges in life. It's one reason for why they and the people close to them should have access to books, support groups, professional autism organizations, and other sources of support. These may include: Autism Society Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) Autism Network International (ANI) Summary Since 2013, people who were once diagnosed as having a PDD-NOS autism disorder are now placed in the overall autism spectrum disorder (ASD) category. The PDD-NOS diagnosis is most often called atypical autism, autistic tendencies, or autistic traits in a person. In most cases, the symptoms are mild but include the same social communication and other issues found generally in people with ASD. Therapy and other treatments may be the same as those used to help others with mild forms of ASD. A Word From Verywell Life with someone who has an ASD diagnosis is full of challenges. Your healthcare provider can guide you through a process of diagnosing and treating the disease, but there is a wealth of resources to offer you and your loved ones support. Be sure to find ways to connect with others in the ASD community who can help. 3 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. About Autism. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diagnostic Criteria. Kim YS, Fombonne E, Koh YJ, Kim SJ, Cheon KA, Leventhal BL. A comparison of DSM-IV pervasive developmental disorder and DSM-5 autism spectrum disorder prevalence in an epidemiologic sample. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2014;53(5):500-8. Additional Reading Grinker, Roy. Pervasive Developmental Disorder Through the Years in the DSM. Unstrange Minds. Web. ND. King, B. H., Navot, N., Bernier, R., & Webb, S. J. (2014). Update on Diagnostic Classification in Autism. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 27(2), 105–109. http://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0000000000000040 By Lisa Jo Rudy Lisa Jo Rudy, MDiv, is a writer, advocate, author, and consultant specializing in the field of autism. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit