Pervasive developmental disorder

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Pervasive developmental disorder Classification and external resources
ICD-10	F84.
ICD-9	299
DiseasesDB	33524
eMedicine	ped/1780
MeSH	D002659

The diagnostic category pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), as opposed to specific developmental disorders (SDD), refers to a group of five disorders characterized by delays in the development of multiple basic functions including socialization and communication. The pervasive developmental disorders are:^[1]

• Autism, the most commonly known,
• Rett syndrome,
• Childhood disintegrative disorder,
• Asperger syndrome, and
• Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), which includes atypical autism.

Parents may note symptoms of PDD as early as infancy and typically onset is prior to three years of age. PDD itself does not affect life expectancy.

There is a division among doctors on the use of the term PDD.^[1] Many use the term PDD as a short way of saying PDD-NOS.^[1] Others use the general category label of PDD because they are hesitant to diagnose very young children with a specific type of PDD, such as autism.^[1] Both approaches contribute to confusion about the term, because the term PDD actually refers to a category of disorders and is not a diagnostic label.^[1]

Contents [hide] 1 PDD-NOS and terminology 2 Symptoms 3 Types and degrees 4 Diagnosis 4.1 In early childhood 5 Cure and care 6 See also 7 References 8 Further reading 9 External links

[edit] PDD-NOS and terminology

PDD-NOS is often incorrectly referred to as simply “PDD.” The term PDD refers to the class of conditions to which Autism belongs. PDD is not itself a diagnosis, while PDD-NOS is a diagnosis. To further complicate the issue, PDD-NOS can also be referred to as “atypical personality development,” “atypical PDD,” or “atypical Autism”.

Because of the "NOS", which means "not otherwise specified", it is hard to describe what PDD-NOS is, other than it being an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Some people diagnosed with PDD-NOS are close to having Asperger syndrome, but do not quite fit. Others have near full fledged autism, but without some of its symptoms. The psychology field is considering creating several subclasses within PDD-NOS.

[edit] Symptoms

Symptoms of PDD may include communication problems such as:

• Difficulty using and understanding language
• Difficulty relating to people, objects, and events
• Unusual play with toys and other objects
• Difficulty with changes in routine or familiar surroundings
• Repetitive body movements or behavior patterns

[edit] Types and degrees

Autism, a developmental brain disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication skills, and limited range of activities and interests, is the most characteristic and best studied PDD. Other types of PDD include Asperger's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett syndrome, and PDD not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).

Children with PDD vary widely in abilities, intelligence, and behaviors. Some children do not speak at all, others speak in limited phrases or conversations, and some have relatively normal language development. Repetitive play skills and limited social skills are generally evident as well. Unusual responses to sensory information – loud noises, lights – are also common.

[edit] Diagnosis

[edit] In early childhood

Some clinicians use PDD-NOS as a "temporary" diagnosis for children under the age of 5, when for whatever reason there is a reluctance to diagnose autism. There are several justifications for this: very young children have limited social interaction and communication skills to begin with, therefore it can be tricky to diagnose milder cases of autism in toddlerhood. The unspoken assumption is that by the age of 5, unusual behaviors will either resolve or develop into diagnosable autism. However, some parents view the PDD label as no more than a euphemism for autism spectrum disorders, problematic because this label makes it more difficult to receive aid for Early Childhood Intervention.

[edit] Cure and care

There is no known cure for PDD. Medications are used to address certain behavioral problems; therapy for children with PDD should be specialized according to the child's specific needs.

Some children with PDD benefit from specialized classrooms in which the class size is small and instruction is given on a one-to-one basis. Others function well in standard special education classes or regular classes with support. Early intervention, including appropriate and specialized educational programs and support services play a critical role in improving the outcome of individuals with PDD. PDD is very commonly found in individuals and especially in children with the range of 2 to 5 years of age. These signs can be easily detected within the classroom settings, home, etc.

[edit] See also

• Overactive Disorder Associated with Mental Retardation and Stereotyped Movements
• Specific developmental disorder
• Multiple-complex Developmental Disorder
• Multisystem Developmental Disorder
• Infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy, a rare and severe neurological disorder which shows developmental regression in infants and toddlers

[edit] References

[edit] Further reading

• Volkmar FR (ed) (2007). Autism and pervasive developmental disorders (2nd ed ed.). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521549574. 

[edit] External links

• CDC's "Learn the Signs. Act Early.” campaign - Information for parents on early childhood development and developmental disabilities
• NINDS Pervasive Developmental Disorders Information Page
• NICHCY fact sheet on Pervasive Developmental Disorder (note: not in the public domain)
• Information about Pervasive Developmental Disorders Yale Developmental Disabilities Clinic

Note: An earlier version of this article included text from the public domain source "NINDS Pervasive Developmental Disorders Information Page" at [1]

[show] v • d • e Pervasive developmental disorders / Autism spectrum Main Causes • Comorbid conditions • Epidemiology • Heritability • Sociological and cultural aspects • Therapies Diagnoses Asperger syndrome • Autism • Childhood disintegrative disorder • PDD-NOS • Rett syndrome Related conditions Epilepsy • Fragile X syndrome • High-functioning autism  • Hyperlexia • Multiple-complex Developmental Disorder • Semantic pragmatic disorder • Nonverbal learning disorder Controversies Autism rights movement • Autistic enterocolitis • Chelation • MMR vaccine • Neurodiversity • Refrigerator mother • Thiomersal Lists Autism-related topics • Fictional characters • Further reading on Asperger syndrome • People • People speculation Groups Aspies For Freedom • Autism Network International • Autistic Self Advocacy Network • Autism Society of America • Autism Speaks • Generation Rescue • National Autistic Society • SafeMinds

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