Pervasive Developmental Disorder

WHAT IS PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER?

Pervasive Developmental Disorder (‘PDD’) is an umbrella term which is used to cover Autism and related conditions such as Asperger's Syndrome, Rett Syndrome and Hellers Syndrome.  The characteristics of a child with PDD include underdeveloped social skills, reduced abilities to comprehend and use language, limited interests, the need to engage in repetitive activities and a resistance to any change in their environment or daily routine. 

WHEN IS PDD DETECTED?

PDD can often be reliably detected by the age of 3 years and, in some cases, as early as 18 months. Parents are usually the first to notice unusual behaviours in their child. In some cases, the baby seems ‘different’ from birth either being unresponsive to people and objects or excessively focussed on a particular item for long periods of time.

The first signs of PDD can appear in children who seem to have been developing normally until then. For example, when an engaging, babbling toddler suddenly becomes silent and withdrawn, something is usually wrong.

IS THERE A RANGE OF PDD?

PDD can range from being experienced in a severe form, often referred to as Autistic Spectrum Disorder, to a milder form, often known as Asperger's Syndrome. If a child shows characteristics of either of these conditions but does not meet the specific criteria for either, the diagnosis is called PDD only.

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