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Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD)

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Pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) refer to a group of disorders that involve:

• Poor communication. Children with a PDD often have problems using and understanding language. Also, they tend not to point, make eye contact, or smile when talking with someone.
• Poor social skills. Children with a PDD have trouble relating to others and understanding how others think and feel.
• Repetitive behaviors and routines. Children with a PDD may repeatedly do things such as switch a light on and off or open and close doors. They may also insist that their toys or other objects be arranged in a certain way and get upset if these items are moved or disturbed.

Children with PDD vary widely in their behaviors and how well they function. For instance, some children do not speak at all, others speak in limited phrases, and some use language fairly normally. Autism is the most severe form of PDD, while Asperger syndrome is the mildest.

The causes of PDDs are unknown, but all of them seem to involve problems in the brain. Although there is no cure for PDDs, behavioral therapy can help children with PDD function better. In behavioral therapy, the child is rewarded for improvements in speech and social skills.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Accommodations for People with Mental Retardation or Other Developmental Disabilities - This publication for employers contains basic information regarding questions that might be considered when determining accommodations for individuals with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities. This article discusses the issues that can affect these individuals, offers suggestions for employers and also includes example accommodations as well as a list of resources for further information.

   http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/MR.html

2.   Asperger Syndrome Fact Sheet - This on-line publication describes Asperger Syndrome, discusses available treatments, prognosis, and research being done. It also lists additional resources.

   http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/asperger/detail_asperger.htm

3.   Autism Spectrum Disorders (Pervasive Developmental Disorders) - This booklet that describes symptoms, causes, and treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorders, also called Pervasive Developmental Disorders. It also includes information on getting help and coping.

   http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/autism.cfm

4.   Childhood Disintegrative Disorder - This publication explains what childhood disintegrative disorder is, what causes it, and how it is diagnosed and treated.

   http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001535.htm

5.   NINDS Pervasive Developmental Disorders Information Page - This information page provides the clinical definition of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) as well as what kind of research is being done to find effective treatment. It also provides a list of organizations and related publications.

   http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/pdd/pdd.htm

6.   NINDS Rett Syndrome Information Page - This on-line publication reviews treatment, prognosis, research, and resources for Rett Syndrome. Rett syndrome is a progressive neurological disorder.

   http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/rett/rett.htm

7. Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder - This fact sheet contains a definition and overview of autism and pervasive developmental disorder, including incidence, characteristics, educational implications, and where to get more information.

   http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/factshe/fs1txt.htm

8. Pervasive Developmental Disorders (Copyright © The Nemours Foundation) - This publication explains what Pervasive Developmental Disorders or PDDs are, what causes them, and how they are diagnosed and treated. It also includes information on how to help your child if he or she is diagnosed with a PDD.

   http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/pervasive_develop_disorders.html

Organizations

1.   National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, CDC
2.   National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, HHS
3.   National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, HHS
4.   National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, HHS
5.   The President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities , ACF, HHS
6. Arc of the United States
7. National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, OSEP, ED

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated May 15, 2008.