Semantic pragmatic language disorder or PDD-NOS

[cjn27b]

Our NHS SALT is assessing our DS for both semantic pragmatic language disorder and PDD-NOS. She says at this stage (she has only seen him for two sessions) she can't tell, but will be watching out for signs of these based on what she's seen to date.

Can anyone tell me more about life with these conditions?

DS is 3.2 and been having SALT privately for 10 months. He's progressed really well, though his language development is quite unusual compared to his peers. He has just started nursery and we're hoping that'll help with his social interaction and communication skills too.

I'd be most interested to hear how life has turned out for others living with either of these conditions, what signs there were, how a diagnosis was given and so on.

Many thanks.

cjn27b

"Semantic pragmatic language disorder" has had many names i recent years and the current research name is Pragmatic Language Impairment (PLI) you might also like to have a look at Specific Language Impairment (SLI) Pervasive Developmental Disorder?Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) is part of Autistic Spectrum of Disorders (ASD)

Possible underlying causes of these types of problems can be possible combinations of Auditory Processing Disoders and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

My DS (7) has only ever had a diagnosis of language delay with subtle social communication difficulties, but to my mind presents closest to semantic pragmatic disorder. IMO there isn't a massive amount of difference between the two conditions you mention, as they are both at the fringes of the autistic spectrum, with difficulties being more in relation to language/social skills than other behaviour/rigidity of thinking/sensory issues. Btw the SALT would not diagnose PDD-NOS herself, it would likely be in conjunction with a paediatrician, and possibly other professionals such as a psychologist.

Not sure if it's helpful but I wlll give you my DS's story. At 3 he was severely language delayed (inc. receptive) with poor eye contact and concentration. At 4 he was moderately delayed. He had a big speech spurt between 4.5 and 5, and was discharged from NHS SALT at approx 5.5 for testing within normal range, and concentration is OK, (eye contact seems better but mine is poor so struggle to assess his!). On the plus side - he's a happy, well behaved child, who does pretty well academically without support. On the minus side - he's naive, his intonation isn't quite the same as other children, he seems "young" for his age in some ways (but in terms of say road safety awareness he's age appropriate), he needs less sleep than average, and is a v fussy eater, bordering on phobic. He is very visual, adores reading, console games and comics. He can be quite hard to get away from his books even at school , which isn't always a good thing!

As the high school years approach, I may well end up pursuing some sort of further diagnosis for him, depending on whether he needs support at high school and whether he feels different from his peers.

HTH.

Thank you. Tocha your descriptions sounds quite similar to my son, but he isn't too much of a fussy eater and sleeps well. Our only issues are expressive and receptive language delay though he is catching up well. Having read almost everything I can find on these conditions, both have elements that ring true, but he by no means has all the symptoms. As parents we both still feel APD may be more accurate but it's so hard to tell in such a young boy.

Meanwhile, I feel rather bewildered that an SALT who has only spent two very short sessions with him is making such suggestions. Our previous SALT (two private ones in the same clinic who saw him for months) and two NHS ones that completed assessments have never mentioned these conditions, so it seems rather odd this new SALT should so quickly. Hum de dum. I'm trying hard not to be cross as she was only trying to be helpful and could be correct?! The whole business of expressive and receptive speech and language delay / disorder is very confusing - seems to be such a big grey area witih so many conditions overlapping.

yes I very much agree that there is a huge grey area between language delays/disorders/autistic traits/autistic spectrum, as a language delay can impact on social behaviour so much. unless this salt has particular expertise in children with autism that the others don't, I would be reassured to a degree that the other salts haven't felt this an issue, but his age may be a factor, IME until 36 months health professionals are v much of the wait and see persuasion, as children can all of a sudden clock on to speech/language/social skills without much intervention up to that age , but tend to come off the fence after 36 months. If the salt has serious concerns re:autism, I would be expected her to suggest you see a paediatrician. If you had a good rapport with the private salt(s) may be worth running this issue by them as well.

PDD NOS is a formal way of saying noone has a bloody clue what is up.
There isn't always a convenient label or condition.
Sometimes there are quite simply issuea and the important thing is how they are addressed rather than waht fancy term to call them.