Search Results for: blog what is pervasive developmental disorder

Special Needs Blog Week in Review – Week of April 29 – May 5, 2012

Posted on by

Every week, the Special Needs Blog Week in Review gives you a brief review of each and every blog that appeared here in the past seven days. This is a quick and easy way to catch up on whatever you might have wanted to read, but didn’t have the time to when the blog first went up. What did you miss this week? The Special Needs Podcast Roundup went up on April 30, 2012. This time, I’d like to point out an episode of The Coffee Klatch that was called “Dr. Temple Grandin – Different Not Less”. This is Dr. … Continue reading →

The Diagnostic Criteria For Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)

My new neighbor called me this afternoon to talk about The Letter, About Our RAD Daughter. We had a short conversation and for as long as it last there is a chance she might be able to understand the situation. It’s so hard to tell people about my daughter’s life in a way they could possibly understand. People don’t want to hear what happens to some children. Some people can’t hear even when they are told about it. Most people can’t imagine. I have learned to be much less dramatic about “How” my little girl became my daughter when she … Continue reading →

What is Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)?

Posted on by

Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) is a term that often confuses parents. That’s because some professionals use it interchangeably with “autism,” while others refer to the two as distinct conditions. Sometimes in medical reference books you will see both terms listed side by side, as in “Autism/Pervasive Developmental Disorder,” with the same definition for both. So the question becomes… what exactly is pervasive developmental disorder, and how does it differ from autism? The answer is that, according to the DSM-IV-TR (American Psychiatric Association, 2000) a reference book used to identify disabilities, pervasive developmental disorder is actually a large umbrella term describing … Continue reading →

Asperger’s Disorder: Basic Diagnostic Criteria

Asperger’s disorder is named for a Viennese physician, Hans Asperger, who published a paper describing it in 1944. The disorder is technically a subgroup under the larger diagnostic classification of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (sometimes called Pervasive Development Disorder). Hence, in simple terms, it is a milder form of Autism. Yet, in certain ways it differs from high-functioning Autism, standing out with several specific attributes. Here are six basic symptoms often seen in Asperger’s: 1. Severe impairment in reciprocal social interaction. The child with Asperger’s typically does not have or make friends appropriate for his age. He doesn’t use social “cues” … Continue reading →

What is Asperger’s Disorder?

Posted on by

The first time Elise met her mother-in-law she was struck by the fact that the woman seldom made eye contact with her. Instead she looked slightly over her shoulder into the distance, even when she was talking to her. The first time she hugged her mother-in-law, after receiving a Christmas gift from her, the mother-in-law became perfectly rigid and did not return the hug. Looking around at the rest of the family, Elise noticed that they were all holding their breath. Apparently no-one ever hugged Mom. Elise was at a loss to know what she was dealing with. Over time, … Continue reading →

The ABCs of ASDs

Has your child recently been diagnosed as having autism? Parents can find the jargon and abbreviations that are used by teachers and staff in a Special Education program to be confusing and overwhelming. Here is a quick list of definitions that make everything much clearer. Think of it as the ABCs of autism in a school environment. ABA: Applied Behavior Analysis It is a scientifically validated approach to understanding behavior and how it is affected by environment. This therapy can help children who have autism to pick up on the social cues that their peers, who do not have autism, … Continue reading →

California Really Does Cover ABA Therapy!

Posted on by

Recently, I was sent a booklet of information that included several changes that had been made to my new health insurance policy. One of those changes is excellent news for parents of kids who have autism, and who live in California. Soon, insurers are going to be required to cover ABA! As of July 1, 2012, California law requires all individual health insurance plans to provide coverage for certain behavioral health treatments for pervasive developmental disorder or autism. My insurance company recently sent me a booklet that included information about this change to my health insurance coverage, (as well as … Continue reading →

ECHO Helps Military Families Who Have Kids With Special Needs

Posted on by

Families who are using TRICARE may be eligible for ECHO. It is part of the TRICARE program and it is designed to provide financial assistance for certain services and supplies for families who have children with specific types of special needs. TRICARE is the health are program for uniformed service members, retirees, and their families worldwide. It is the health care program serving active duty service members, National Guard Reserve members, retirees, their families, survivors and certain former spouses worldwide. TRICARE is the main component of the Military Health System. It combines the health care resources of the uniformed personnel, … Continue reading →

New Definition of Autism Could Exclude Many Who Have It

The American Psychiatric Association is getting ready to release a new set of guidelines that will be used to diagnose autism. This new criteria could exclude many people who have Asperger’s Syndrome, “high-functioning autism”, or P.D.D.-N.O.S. Naturally, parents are concerned about how this will affect the assistance that their children are currently receiving. The American Psychiatric Association is getting ready to release the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. This is the first time it has been revised in fifteen years. The DSM is the source that is used in order to diagnose mental disorders. … Continue reading →

Fireworks Displays For Kids With Sensory Issues

Posted on by

Watching fireworks on the Fourth of July is usually considered to be a great “family friendly” activity. If your child has sensory issues, then he or she is unlikely to enjoy the loud, booming, explosions that accompany the firecrackers. A mall in Connecticut is holding their first ever “sensory friendly” fireworks this year. Children who have autism spectrum disorders, or who have other sensory issues, might not necessarily enjoy the fireworks displays that many families make a point of viewing on Independence Day. The loud noises can make kids who have certain special needs really uncomfortable or even upset. In … Continue reading →