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Pervasive Developmental Disorders

Description

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. The onset of PDD typically begins after 30 months of age and before age 12. 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 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, others speak in limited phrases or conversations. Repetitive play skills and limited social skills are generally evident as well. Unusual responses to sensory information--loud noises, lights--are also common. Bizarre ideas and fantasies and preoccupation with morbid thoughts or interests may also occur.

Treatment

There is no cure for PDD. Medications such as neuroleptics, i.e., haloperidol and trifluoperazine, may be useful in managing 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. The goal of treatment is to have the child progress to the point where he or she can be mainstreamed into a regular classroom.

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.

Research

The NINDS conducts and supports research on developmental disabilities including PDD. Much of this research focuses on developing techniques to diagnose, treat, prevent, and ultimately cure these disorders.

These articles, available from a medical library, are sources of in-depth information on PDD:

• Ghaziuddin, M, Alessi, N, and Greden, J. "Life Events and Depression in Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders." Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 25:5; 495-502 (October 1995).
• Mayes, L, Volkmar, F, et al. "Differentiating Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified from Autism and Language Disorders." Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 23:1; 79-90 (March 1993).
• Stefanos, G, Grover, W, and Geller, E. "Case Study: Corticosteroid Treatment of Language Regression in Pervasive Developmental Disorder." Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 34:8; 1107-1111 (Aug. 1995).
• Szatmar, P, Jones, M, et al. "Parents and Collateral Relatives of Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders: A Family History Study." American Journal of Medical Genetics, 60:4; 282-289 (Aug. 1995).
• To Obtain Suggested Resources (click)...

Additional information is available from the following organizations:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Assoc.
10801 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 897-5700
(800) 638-8255

National Information Center for Children & Youth with Disabilities
P.O. Box 1492
Washington, DC 20013-1492
(202) 884-8200
(800) 695-0285

National Institute of Mental Health
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 7C02
Rockville, MD 20857-8030
(301) 443-4515

Institute for Health and Disability
University of Minnesota, Box 721
420 Delaware Street, SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455-0392
(612) 626-2825

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892
Last Edited: July 29, 1997

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