Information about Autism Spectrum Disorders (Pervasive Developmental Disorder or PDD)
Diagnosis: Pervasive Developmental Disorder (Autism Spectrum) and the sub-classifications
| Autistic Disorder |
Rhett Disorder |
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder |
Asperger Disorder |
PDD NOS |
All types of PDD are neurological disorders that are usually evident by age 3.
In general, children who have a type of PDD have delayed development of:
- Language and communication
- Social functioning
- Abnormal ways of relating to the world (compulsive behaviors)
The diagnosis should be made considering all aspects of the developmental history, including developmental milestones, develop of speech, language, cognitive, and social skills.
Demographics
- Autistic Disorder, sometimes referred to as early infantile autism or childhood autism
- Four times more common in boys than in girls
- Children with this disorder have a moderate to severe range of communication, socialization, and behavior problems
- Many children (70%) with autism also have mental retardation
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