PDD-NOS is defined as Persuasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. It is used to diagnose all those children who,despite showing several signs of autism do not fulfill all the symptoms for Autism. IT involves use of several assessments. Let us analyze the various kinds of assessments required for PDD-NOS.
Medical
The medical assessment uses a process of elimination for health conditions that are supposed to be showing the symptoms being experienced by the child. It is possible that certain health conditions are showing similar symptoms as those in Persuasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.
Education
The child will be tested in various educational areas. Assessment will be done on the basis of skills relative to their age. Daily living skills will be the guiding criteria for assessment. These skills include dressing, bathing, eating, etc. These skills can be assessed by testing, or interviewing the parents, and teachers.
Interviews with Child's Parents, Teachers
Children with Persuasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified are known to show different symptoms at different times or places. Interviewing the child's parents and teachers provides a far better understanding about the child. A child in school is with the teachers for several hours a day. They can add very important information to the child's assessment. The same can be said for anyone that spends a lot of time with the child. This might be a daycare provider, or grandma.
Psychological Assessment
An assessment by a Psychologist will help eliminate the possibility of mental disorders being the cause of problems. The child will be examined for delays in several areas like cognitive, or social. They will be evaluated for anxiety, or problems with depression.
Behavior Observation Assessment
The doctor assessing the child for PDD-NOS might want to observe the child in a natural setting. This can be done in the child's home. This gives the doctor a better view of symptoms a child is having. They can see how the child acts with their family.
Communication Assessment
The child will have their communication skills tested. This will be done with testing and by talking to the child's parents. The child will be assessed for their ability to understand others, and their ability to use their words. The doctor will want to know if the child understands body language, and facial expressions.
Occupational Assessment
Motor skills of the affected child will be determined with the help of occupational assessment. It is possible that the child is having sensory issues like for example, a liking for certain textures. It has a direct impact on choice of clothes.
Once these assessments are over, the examining team will discuss and determine whether the child has fulfilled the criteria for a diagnosis of Persuasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. If the conclusion is that the child is indeed having PDD-NOS, then a plan will be drawn up for treatment. It is very important to ensure that the affected child gets treated. This way, a child with Persuasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified can learn to communicate in a better way. It can quickly absorb the required behavior for social settings.