Pervasive Developmental Disorders
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What are Pervasive Developmental Disorders?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?
Organizations
Related NINDS Publications and Information
Publicaciones en Español
What are Pervasive Developmental Disorders?
The diagnostic category of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) refers to a group of disorders characterized by delays
in the development of socialization and communication skills. Parents may note symptoms as early as infancy, although the
typical age of onset is before 3 years of age. Symptoms may include problems with 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 a 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, and Rett's Syndrome.
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. Unusual responses to sensory information, such as loud noises and lights, are also common.
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?
Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Special Education Programs P.O. Box 1492 Washington, DC 20013-1492 nichcy@aed.org http://www.nichcy.org Tel: 800-695-0285 Fax: 202-884-8441 |
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) National Institutes of Health, DHHS 6001 Executive Blvd. Rm. 8184, MSC 9663 Bethesda, MD 20892-9663 nimhinfo@nih.gov http://www.nimh.nih.gov Tel: 301-443-4513/866-615-NIMH (-6464) 301-443-8431 (TTY) Fax: 301-443-4279 |
National Institute on Deafness and Other
Communication Disorders Information Clearinghouse 1 Communication Avenue Bethesda, MD 20892-3456 nidcdinfo@nidcd.nih.gov http://www.nidcd.nih.gov Tel: 800-241-1044 800-241-1055 (TTD/TTY) |
National Institute of Child Health and Human
Information Resource Center P.O. Box 3006 Rockville, MD 20847 NICHDInformationResourceCenter@mail.nih.gov http://www.nichd.nih.gov Tel: 800-370-2943 888-320-6942 (TTY) Fax: 301-984-1473 |
MAAP Services for Autism, Asperger Syndrome, and PDD P.O. Box 524 Crown Point, IN 46308 info@maapservices.org http://www.maapservices.org Tel: 219-662-1311 Fax: 219-662-0638 |
Autism Network International (ANI) P.O. Box 35448 Syracuse, NY 13235-5448 jisincla@mailbox.syr.edu http://ani.autistics.org |
Autism Research Institute (ARI) 4182 Adams Avenue San Diego, CA 92116 director@autism.com http://www.autismresearchinstitute.com Tel: 619-281-7165 Fax: 619-563-6840 |
Autism National Committee (AUTCOM) P.O. Box 429 Forest Knolls, CA 94933 http://www.autcom.org |
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) P.O. Box 1968 (55 Kenosia Avenue) Danbury, CT 06813-1968 orphan@rarediseases.org http://www.rarediseases.org Tel: 203-744-0100 Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673) Fax: 203-798-2291 |
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
(ASHA) 10801 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852-3279 actioncenter@asha.org http://www.asha.org Tel: 800-638-8255 Fax: 301-571-0457 |
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Last updated July 21, 2008