Subject: Autism Spectrum Disorder

From:  Joyce Jackman, Coordinator Early Intervention Services

Audience:  SPOE Directors, Service Coordinators, Providers, SICC

Date:  August 2, 2007

The National Institute of Mental Health published an addendum in February 2007 to their document titled Autism Spectrum Disorders (Pervasive Developmental Disorders) first published in 2004.  The complete document is on-line at: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/autism.cfm

Following is an excerpt from that addendum:

“The pervasive developmental disorders, or autism spectrum disorders, range from a severe form, called autistic disorder, to a milder form, Asperger Syndrome.  If a child has symptoms of either of these disorders, but does not meet the specific criteria for either, the diagnosis is called pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).”

This clarification may help resolve some confusion that may exist within the field regarding a diagnosis of PDD-NOS.  Missouri’s eligibility criteria for First Steps include “autism spectrum disorders (ASD)” as one of the possible medical conditions that would make an infant or toddler eligible for First Steps services and current literature includes PDD-NOS under ASD.