|
Pervasive
Developmental Disorders (PDD)
Introduction
- What is
Pervasive
Developmental Disorders (PDD)?
The diagnostic category pervasive developmental disorders (PDD)
refers to a group of disorders characterized by delays in the development of
multiple basic functions including socialization and communication. Parents may
note symptoms as early as infancy and typically onset is prior to 3 years of
age. Symptoms may include communication problems such as 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, and repetitive body movements or behavior patterns. 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's syndrome, and PDD not
otherwise specified. 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.
Is
there any treatment?
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.
What
is the prognosis?
Early intervention including appropriate and
specialized educational programs and support services plays a critical role in
improving the outcome of individuals with PDD. PDD is not fatal and does not
affect normal life expectancy
What research
is being done?
The NINDS conducts and supports research on developmental
disabilities including PDD. Much of this research focuses on understanding the
neurological basis of PDD and on developing techniques to diagnose, treat,
prevent, and ultimately cure these disorders.
Organizations
American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA)
10801 Rockville Pike
Rockville MD 20852-3279
Tel: 301-897-5700 800-638-8255
Fax: 301-571-0457
Institute for Health and Disability
420 Delaware St. SE, Box 721
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis MN 55455-0392
http://www.peds.umn.edu/Centers/ihd/
Tel: 612-626-4032
Fax: 612-626-2134
National Information Center for Children and Youth with
Disabilities
P.O. Box 1492
Washington DC 20013-1492
ichcy@aed.org
www.nichcy.org
Tel: 202-884-8200 800-695-0285
Fax: 202-884-8441
NIMH/National Institute of Mental Health, NIH
6001 Executive Blvd. Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda MD 20892-9663
nimhinfo@nih.gov
www.nimh.nih.gov/
Tel: 301-443-4513
Related NINDS Publications
Autism
Autism information sheet compiled by NINDS, the National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Autism Fact Sheet
Autism fact sheet developed by NINDS, the National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke.
Autismo
Informacion en espanol del Autismo/Spanish-language fact sheet on autism
compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
Asperger Syndrome
Asperger Syndrome information sheet compiled by NINDS.
This
information is available courtesy of the National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke. It is in the public domain and can be downloaded, reproduced,
or copied without permission. For more information go to
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorder_index.htm
Return to the top of
the page
|
