In this Article

• Introduction to pervasive developmental disorders
• What conditions are considered pervasive development disorders (PDDs)?
• What are the symptoms of pervasive development disorders?
• What causes pervasive development disorders?
• How common are pervasive development disorders?
• How are pervasive development disorders diagnosed?
• How are pervasive development disorders treated?
• What research is being done on pervasive development disorders?
• What is the outlook for people with pervasive development disorders?
• Can pervasive developmental disorders be prevented?
• Find a local Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician in your town
• Pervasive Development Disorders Index

There are five types of pervasive development disorders:

• Autism: Children with autism have problems with social interaction, pretend play, and communication. They also have a limited range of activities and interests. Many (nearly 75%) of children with autism also have some degree of mental retardation.



• Asperger's syndrome: Like children with autism, children with Asperger's syndrome have difficulty with social interaction and communication, and have a narrow range of interests. However, children with Asperger's have average or above average intelligence, and develop normally in the areas of language and cognition (the mental processes related to thinking and learning). Children with Asperger's often also have difficulty concentrating and may have poor coordination.



• Childhood disintegrative disorder: Children with this rare condition begin their development normally in all areas, physical and mental. At some point, usually between 2 and 10 years of age, a child with this illness loses many of the skills he or she has developed. In addition to the loss of social and language skills, a child with disintegrative disorder may lose control of other functions, including bowel and bladder control.



• Rett's syndrome: Children with this very rare disorder have the symptoms associated with a PDD and also suffer problems with physical development. They generally suffer the loss of many motor or movement, skills -- such as walking and use of their hands -- and develop poor coordination. This condition has been linked to a defect on the X chromosome, so it almost always affects girls.



• Pervasive development disorder not otherwise specified (PDDNOS): This category is used to refer to children who have significant problems with communication and play, and some difficulty interacting with others, but are too social to be considered autistic.

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