Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD)
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:
Most common pervasive developmental disorders:
299.80 Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (Including Atypical Autism)
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV), “this category should be used when there is a severe and pervasive impairment in the development of reciprocal social interaction associated with impairment in either verbal or nonverbal communication skills or with the presence of stereotyped behavior, interests, and activities, but the criteria are not met for a specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, Schizotypal Personality Disorder, or Avoidant Personality Disorder. For example, this category includes “atypical autism” - presentations that do not meet the criteria for Autistic Disorder because of late age at onset, atypical symptomatology, or subthreshold symptomatology, or all of these.
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.
Most common pervasive developmental disorders:
- Autism
- Asperger Syndrome
- Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
- Rett's Syndrome
299.80 Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (Including Atypical Autism)
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV), “this category should be used when there is a severe and pervasive impairment in the development of reciprocal social interaction associated with impairment in either verbal or nonverbal communication skills or with the presence of stereotyped behavior, interests, and activities, but the criteria are not met for a specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, Schizotypal Personality Disorder, or Avoidant Personality Disorder. For example, this category includes “atypical autism” - presentations that do not meet the criteria for Autistic Disorder because of late age at onset, atypical symptomatology, or subthreshold symptomatology, or all of these.
UPDATE:
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) (2013) redefined autism. Its predecessor, the DSM-IV-TR, included five Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs): Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, Rett’s Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS).
In the DSM-5, Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder and PDD-NOS are replaced by the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Additionally, the DSM-5 also reduces social-related elements of autism into social communication impairment and repetitive/restricted behaviors, though the labels of Asperger’s and PDD-NOS are still in common use.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) (2013) redefined autism. Its predecessor, the DSM-IV-TR, included five Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs): Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, Rett’s Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS).
In the DSM-5, Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder and PDD-NOS are replaced by the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Additionally, the DSM-5 also reduces social-related elements of autism into social communication impairment and repetitive/restricted behaviors, though the labels of Asperger’s and PDD-NOS are still in common use.