My son was diagnosed with high functioning autism when he was 3 six months later his diagnosis changed to pddnos. what is the difference?

Less specific: Autism is one type of developmental disorder and is characterized by abnormal social interaction and communication with repetitive behaviors occurring before the age of 3. Pdd nos is a less specific diagnosis which stands for pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified. Most likely there are some features of your son's development and behavior that are less characteristic for autism.

It depends: If the original diagnosis was being used interchangeably with asperger's then the skill set must have changed enough to feel there was not enough specificity for that diagnosis. Pervasive developmental delay- not otherwise specified is a broader category of description. The diagnostic criteria is changing and autism spectrum disorder will be the diagnosis and level of function will be added.

In truth, HFA has: Never been a diagnosis, just a term for a person with autism whose iq is > 70. The dsm-v diagnosis autistic spectrum disorder includes autism, Asperger syndrome & pdd-nos. The same core deficits in theory of mind & facial recognition impair reciprocal social interaction & social communication in all, requiring intensive behavioral & educational therapy &, when ready, social skills group therapy.