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PDD-NOS Explained: What the Diagnosis Was and How It Relates to Autism Today
Information about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has evolved significantly over the past couple of decades. With those changes comes the realization for some people that they may have received diagnoses that are not only confusing but are now considered outdated.
PDD-NOS, or Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, is one of those diagnoses. If you’re someone who may have encountered this term in your records or research, it’s perfectly reasonable to scratch your head over this diagnosis—and to want a better understanding of what it means.
The PDD-NOS diagnosis was eliminated in 2013, when it was reclassified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) under the ASD umbrella. While officially an outdated term, PDD-NOS is still meaningful, especially to those who may have received this diagnosis before 2013.
This article will explain what exactly PDD-NOS is, why the diagnosis no longer exists (and is now part of an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis), and how autistic adults can think about the term in a more affirming way.
Understanding the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test: What It Can (and Can’t) Tell You
Have you ever considered how well you can visually read other people's emotions? Researchers have developed tools that attempt to study how people interpret emotional cues, though these tools are limited and don’t fully capture real-world social understanding. One of these tools is called the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, also known as the RMET or the Eyes Test.
If you’re someone who’s either autistic or questioning whether you might be autistic, then it’s likely you’ve come across (or have already taken!) autism quizzes like the RMET online. (Some of the more common ones include the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) test and the RAADS-R test.) While none of these quizzes can provide a formal autism diagnosis, they can help individuals gather information about the signs of autism in adults and reflect on which traits feel relatable.
The RMET is intended to measure one’s social perception, specifically, the ability to recognize and understand another person’s mental state. Some autistic people approach social and emotional cues differently from non-autistic people, particularly in tasks that rely heavily on interpreting facial expressions. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test doesn’t measure empathy, nor does it define one’s capacity for empathy.
Even though the RMET, like the AQ and the RAADS-R, cannot offer an official autism diagnosis, it still may be worth considering if you’re trying to understand yourself better.
In this article, we will cover what exactly the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test is, how it works, why it’s sometimes associated with autism, and its key limitations and criticisms. Our goal is to help you make informed choices throughout your autism exploration journey.
Vocal Stimming: What It Is and Why It Helps
Self-stimulatory behavior, or “stimming,” is a common trait among autistic people. Stimming is both a way to support sensory and emotional regulation and to express joy. This might look like using fidget toys, hand flapping, hair twirling, or staring at patterns.
Vocal stimming, is also included in this category. Some autistic people, like my daughter, who has autism and ADHD, for example, engage in this sensory-seeking behavior by producing certain sounds. These repetitive sounds, like humming (my daughter’s go-to vocal stim when she’s stressed), clicking, whistling, or even singing (another one of my daughter’s preferred stims), can be self-soothing and satisfying.
While vocal stimming is often associated with autism, these traits can present in neurotypical people as well. What’s important to remember when it comes to any type of self-stimulatory behavior is that it’s harmless and should never be a source of shame.
Whether you’re someone who identifies as neurodivergent or want to support the autistic people in your life, this article will help you better understand vocal stimming. In addition, we’ll explain what vocal stims can sound like, why people find vocal stims calming, and how these behaviors relate to autism, ADHD, and nervous system regulation.
