Pervasive development disorder, often called a developmental disorder or PDD, is another term for autism spectrum disorders. PDD includes autism, Asperger's disorder, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and PDD-NOS, or pervasive development disorder (not otherwise specified). Children with PDD often have difficulty with certain developmental processes, such as socialization, language, communication, and motor behavior. Parenting behaviors do not cause pervasive development disorders, and the exact cause of PDD is not known. Much recent research has pointed at genetic and environmental factors as a cause. These developmental disorders are believed to be made up of a series of related disorders with multiple causes, which makes one specific cause difficult to pin down. PDD is more likely to happen in boys than in girls, with the exception of Rett syndrome, which occurs almost exclusively in girls. Symptoms of pervasive development disorders include: poor socialization and eye contact — these children often show a lack of interest in physical contact, avoid making eye contact with others, and have a hard time making friends and establishing relationships poor communication — children with PDD sometimes do not develop language skills (they are non-verbal), or they have a tendency to repeat words and phrases (called echolalia) and have difficulty communicating with words and language repetitive behaviors — children with PDD often engage in repetitive and self-stimulating behaviors such as rocking or flapping their fingers Some children with pervasive development...

Pervasive development disorder (PDD) is an umbrella term for autism spectrum disorders, affecting socialization and communication.

What is Pervasive Development Disorder?

 Pervasive development disorder, often called a developmental disorder or PDD, is another term for autism spectrum disorders. PDD includes autism, Asperger's disorder, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and PDD-NOS, or pervasive development disorder (not otherwise specified). Children with PDD often have difficulty with certain developmental processes, such as socialization, language, communication, and motor behavior.   Parenting behaviors do not cause pervasive development disorders, and the exact cause of PDD is not known. Much recent research has pointed at genetic and environmental factors as a cause. These developmental disorders are believed to be made up of a series of related disorders with multiple causes, which makes one specific cause difficult to pin down. PDD is more likely to happen in boys than in girls, with the exception of Rett syndrome, which occurs almost exclusively in girls.    Symptoms of pervasive development disorders include:    poor socialization and eye contact — these children often show a lack of interest in physical contact, avoid making eye contact with others, and have a hard time making friends and establishing relationships   poor communication — children with PDD sometimes do not develop language skills (they are non-verbal), or they have a tendency to repeat words and phrases (called echolalia) and have difficulty communicating with words and language   repetitive behaviors — children with PDD often engage in repetitive and self-stimulating behaviors such as rocking or flapping their fingers     Some children with pervasive development...

Pervasive development disorder (PDD) is an umbrella term for autism spectrum disorders, affecting socialization and communication.

The Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is the text for diagnosis the array of mental illnesses. The manual covers everything from an overview to lists of specific symptoms individuals must meet in order to be given a diagnosis by a licensed professional. The publication of the new DSM-5 (the DSM-IV TR, or text revision, is the one in current use) is the most anticipated document in the mental health field. The DSM-5 makes some significant changes, including diagnostic criteria for: Autism and other Neurodevelopmental Disorders (intellectual, communication, learning, and motor disorders, and ADHD) Anxiety Disorders Depressive Disorders Obsessive-Compulsive and related disorders Personality Disorders Trauma and Stressor-related Disorders (including RAD and PTSD) Sexual Dysfunction and Gender Dysphoria Somatic Symptom Disorders Other areas of the DSM are being revised as well, and it seems like no stone is being left unturned with this new manual. Many people are in support of the revision, but others are very concerned about the changes. One of the biggest changes of the DSM-5 that causes concern is the revision of the autism definition. The diagnoses of Asperger's and PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified) are being eliminated, and everything will fall under the umbrella of the "Autism Spectrum Disorder." The New York Times published an article earlier in 2012 about a panel of experts who say many individuals with...

DSM-5 updates diagnosis criteria for mental disorders; includes autism spectrum changes, with public feedback invited until June 2012.

The Future of Diagnosis with DSM-5

 The Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is the text for diagnosis the array of mental illnesses. The manual covers everything from an overview to lists of specific symptoms individuals must meet in order to be given a diagnosis by a licensed professional. The publication of the new DSM-5 (the DSM-IV TR, or text revision, is the one in current use) is the most anticipated document in the mental health field.   The DSM-5 makes some significant changes, including diagnostic criteria for:    Autism and other Neurodevelopmental Disorders (intellectual, communication, learning, and motor disorders, and ADHD)   Anxiety Disorders   Depressive Disorders   Obsessive-Compulsive and related disorders   Personality Disorders   Trauma and Stressor-related Disorders (including RAD and PTSD)   Sexual Dysfunction and Gender Dysphoria   Somatic Symptom Disorders    Other areas of the DSM are being revised as well, and it seems like no stone is being left unturned with this new manual. Many people are in support of the revision, but others are very concerned about the changes.   One of the biggest changes of the DSM-5 that causes concern is the revision of the autism definition. The diagnoses of Asperger's and PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified) are being eliminated, and everything will fall under the umbrella of the "Autism Spectrum Disorder." The New York Times published an article earlier in 2012 about a panel of experts who say many individuals with...

Most days lately I have begun to wonder if my life is actually real or am I part of some sort of made-for-television movie game. The last seven years have been interesting to say the least. My middle child, now seven, has accumulated initials after his name. We're not talking about initials that most of us earn through fancy degrees or certifications. These initials are given to you by medical professionals. I'd love to say that at seven years old he has now earned the infamous “MD” initials, but sadly that's not the case. His most recent initial accomplishment was last year. He was diagnosed with PDD-NOS. In case you are new to the wonderful world of special needs labels this stands for Pervasive Development Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified. Interestingly enough this was my favorite designation of all time! These initials opened up a whole new world for my son and my family. This was a designation that allowed us to pursue options, options that were not necessarily available for the laundry list of “Not Otherwise Specified” disorders he had originally been diagnosed with. While I'm happy that after seven long years on this journey we finally have a diagnosis that makes sense and allows us to gain additional services, such as Applied Behavioral Analysis, I've come to the realization that our life, in general, has become Not Otherwise Specified. Every day I'm faced with a new challenge that many of my friends’ families are not. I...

A parent reflects on the unique challenges of raising a child with PDD-NOS and the journey of acceptance and adaptation.

Life Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)

Most days lately I have begun to wonder if my life is actually real or am I part of some sort of made-for-television movie game. The last seven years have been interesting to say the least. My middle child, now seven, has accumulated initials after his name. We're not talking about initials that most of us earn through fancy degrees or certifications. These initials are given to you by medical professionals. I'd love to say that at seven years old he has now earned the infamous “MD” initials, but sadly that's not the case.  His most recent initial accomplishment was last year. He was diagnosed with PDD-NOS. In case you are new to the wonderful world of special needs labels this stands for Pervasive Development Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified. Interestingly enough this was my favorite designation of all time! These initials opened up a whole new world for my son and my family. This was a designation that allowed us to pursue options, options that were not necessarily available for the laundry list of “Not Otherwise Specified” disorders he had originally been diagnosed with.  While I'm happy that after seven long years on this journey we finally have a diagnosis that makes sense and allows us to gain additional services, such as Applied Behavioral Analysis, I've come to the realization that our life, in general, has become Not Otherwise Specified. Every day I'm faced with a new challenge that many of my friends’ families are not. I...

A parent reflects on the unique challenges of raising a child with PDD-NOS and the journey of acceptance and adaptation.

Life Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)

Lee R. Chasen's book Social Skills, Emotional Growth and Drama Therapy is the resource for the clinically proven approach to enhance social and emotional growth for children on the autism spectrum. Chasen gives a thorough introduction to pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) and how positive intervention like drama therapy can be the greatest treatment. Drama therapy works by firing mirror neurons; through reenactment of dramatic circumstances, children are able to delve deeper into a "level of self-perception and social understanding regarding those circumstances." Theatre visionaries such as Aristotle and Shakespeare knew of theatre's ability to mirror real-life situations, long before neuroscience began. Drama is an art form but also inspires personal and social action. Drama therapy itself emerged in the 1970s and includes role-playing, directing, scripting, improvisation, costume, set design, and other forms of creative expression. Drama therapy gives children with autism a chance for self-expression, positive attention from peer groups, and cognitive and emotional development. Chasen describes drama therapy and exactly how it benefits children with autism by using his own experiences and facts from research literature. The book even describes treatment interventions and provides enough detail that therapists can use the book as a resource for starting their own drama therapy programs. Told in a thoroughly engaging manner (as you might expect from a dramatist), readers will love Chasen's story of turning a 2000-square-foot basement into a therapeutic center for individuals with autism. Through...

Lee R. Chasen's book promotes drama therapy as an effective tool for social and emotional development in children with autism.

Product of the Week: Social Skills, Emotional Growth and Drama Therapy

 Lee R. Chasen's book  Social Skills, Emotional Growth and Drama Therapy  is the resource for the clinically proven approach to enhance social and emotional growth for children on the autism spectrum.    Chasen gives a thorough introduction to pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) and how positive intervention like drama therapy can be the greatest treatment.   Drama therapy works by firing mirror neurons; through reenactment of dramatic circumstances, children are able to delve deeper into a "level of self-perception and social understanding regarding those circumstances." Theatre visionaries such as Aristotle and Shakespeare knew of theatre's ability to mirror real-life situations, long before neuroscience began. Drama is an art form but also inspires personal and social action.   Drama therapy itself emerged in the 1970s and includes role-playing, directing, scripting, improvisation, costume, set design, and other forms of creative expression. Drama therapy gives children with autism a chance for self-expression, positive attention from peer groups, and cognitive and emotional development.   Chasen describes drama therapy and exactly how it benefits children with autism by using his own experiences and facts from research literature. The book even describes treatment interventions and provides enough detail that therapists can use the book as a resource for starting their own drama therapy programs.    Told in a thoroughly engaging manner (as you might expect from a dramatist), readers will love Chasen's story of turning a 2000-square-foot basement into a therapeutic center for individuals with autism. Through...

Last year I spent one fall morning filling out forms so that my 9-year-old son could see yet another specialist, get yet another evaluation, have yet another appointment with someone we were hoping could help us figure him out. At the time, his current diagnoses were ADHD and PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder, although NOT the PDD that most people associate with the autism spectrum — more of a child-wide developmental delay), his behavior, his reaction to medication, and the impact his various therapies were having (or rather, weren't having) on him left us puzzled. Nothing seemed to fit. His diagnoses seemed off. So it was off for round 4 of evaluations. We were taking him to a clinic that specializes in FASD, or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Basically, we, and his doctors, thought he was exposed to alcohol in utero and it's this resulting brain damage that has manifested itself in his behaviors, his processing issues, and his learning problems. Things we knew to be true: my son was adopted. His birth mother was an alcoholic. Things we also knew to be true: if this was his deal — that he had FASD, which is permanent brain damage — he and we would need a whole new level of education, therapies, and strategies for the future. We took him to the clinic. After interviews with my husband and myself, a session with an occupational therapist and a speech therapist, as well...

After evaluations, a child with ADHD symptoms was diagnosed with partial FASD, changing perspectives on treatment and care.

Is it ADHD or Could it Be FASD?

 Last year I spent one fall morning filling out forms so that my 9-year-old son could see yet another specialist, get yet another evaluation, have yet another appointment with someone we were hoping could help us figure him out. At the time, his current diagnoses were ADHD and PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder, although NOT the PDD that most people associate with the autism spectrum — more of a child-wide developmental delay), his behavior, his reaction to medication, and the impact his various therapies were having (or rather, weren't having) on him left us puzzled. Nothing seemed to fit. His diagnoses seemed off. So it was off for round 4 of evaluations.   We were taking him to a clinic that specializes in FASD, or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Basically, we, and his doctors, thought he was exposed to alcohol in utero and it's this resulting brain damage that has manifested itself in his behaviors, his processing issues, and his learning problems.    Things we knew to be true: my son was adopted. His birth mother was an alcoholic. Things we also knew to be true: if this was his deal — that he had FASD, which is permanent brain damage — he and we would need a whole new level of education, therapies, and strategies for the future.    We took him to the clinic. After interviews with my husband and myself, a session with an occupational therapist and a speech therapist, as well...

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Special Needs
Articles

What is Pervasive Development Disorder?

The Future of Diagnosis with DSM-5

Life Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)

Product of the Week: Social Skills, Emotional Growth and Drama Therapy

Is it ADHD or Could it Be FASD?

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs Articles

What is Pervasive Development Disorder?

The Future of Diagnosis with DSM-5

Life Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)

Product of the Week: Social Skills, Emotional Growth and Drama Therapy

Is it ADHD or Could it Be FASD?

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs
Articles