What's the difference between Broad Autism Phenotype and PDD-NOS?

[DM]

I just heard about Broad Autism Phenotype and it sounds the same as Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified. Is it? How are they different?

 

[beetlemilk]

None in functioning level. What it is is showing a genetic link in families of those with ASD dx and family members showing traits or PDD.NOSPhenotype is referring to a genetic link, broad autism is just a way to describe that we can't pinpoint where or why but we see autistic features in multiple family membersI guess PDD.NOS would be 1 person with autistic features, broad autism phenotype is PDD.NOS exhibited in multiple family members of the dx person

 

[Larry]

The autistic phenotype is simply a constellation of observable behavior traits. Seeing these is the only way any type of autism can be diagnosed. There are no neurological or genetic tests for it. PDD-NOS is a phenotype that doesn't conform to the criteria for either autism or Asperger's Syndrome or Rett Syndrome, but there are enough autistic symptoms to make the doctor think that there is some degree of autism involved.