How Does PDD-NOS Differ From Autistic Disorder And Asperger Syndrome?

Question: How does PDD-NOS differ from autistic disorder and Asperger syndrome?

Answer: PDD-NOS stands for Pervasive Developmental Disorder -- Not Otherwise Specified. Like autistic disorder and Asperger disorder, PDD-NOS is one of the five subtypes of the autism spectrum disorders, also knows as the pervasive developmental disorders. For a child diagnosed with PDD-NOS, they will have fewer social impairments than a child with autistic disorder or a child diagnosed with Asperger disorder.

Gail McGee, Ph.D., Director, Emory Autism Center, Emory University School of Medicine Play