The best patient guide to Pervasive Developmental Disorders

What are Pervasive Developmental Disorders?
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 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. Autism (a developmental brain disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication skills, and a limited range of activities and interests) is the most characteristic and best studied PDD. Other types of PDD include Asperger's Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Rett's Syndrome. Children with PDD vary widely in abilities, intelligence, and behaviors. Some children do not speak at all, others speak in limited phrases or conversations, and some have relatively normal language development. Repetitive play skills and limited social skills are generally evident. Unusual responses to sensory information, such as loud noises and lights, are also common.

Is there any treatment?

There is no known cure for PDD. Medications are used to address specific behavioral problems; therapy for children with PDD should be specialized according to need. Some children with PDD benefit from specialized classrooms in which the class size is small and instruction is given on a one-to-one basis. Others function well in standard special education classes or regular classes with additional support.

What is the prognosis?

Early intervention including appropriate and specialized educational programs and support services plays a critical role in improving the outcome of individuals with PDD. PDD is not fatal and does not affect normal life expectancy.

What research is being done?

The NINDS conducts and supports research on developmental disabilities, including PDD. Much of this research focuses on understanding the neurological basis of PDD and on developing techniques to diagnose, treat, prevent, and ultimately cure this and similar disorders.

Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.

Organizations

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Special Education Programs P.O. Box 1492 Washington, DC   20013-1492 [email protected] http://www.nichcy.org Tel: 800-695-0285 Fax: 202-884-8441	National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) National Institutes of Health, DHHS 6001 Executive Blvd. Rm. 8184, MSC 9663 Bethesda, MD   20892-9663 [email protected] http://www.nimh.nih.gov Tel: 301-443-4513/866-615-NIMH (-6464) 301-443-8431 (TTY) Fax: 301-443-4279
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Information Clearinghouse 1 Communication Avenue Bethesda, MD   20892-3456 [email protected] http://www.nidcd.nih.gov Tel: 800-241-1044 800-241-1055 (TTD/TTY)	National Institute of Child Health and Human Information Resource Center P.O. Box 3006 Rockville, MD   20847 [email protected] http://www.nichd.nih.gov Tel: 800-370-2943 888-320-6942 (TTY) Fax: 301-984-1473
MAAP Services for Autism, Asperger Syndrome, and PDD P.O. Box 524 Crown Point, IN   46308 [email protected] http://www.maapservices.org Tel: 219-662-1311 Fax: 219-662-0638	Autism Network International (ANI) P.O. Box 35448 Syracuse, NY   13235-5448 [email protected] http://ani.autistics.org
Autism Research Institute (ARI) 4182 Adams Avenue San Diego, CA   92116 [email protected] http://www.autismresearchinstitute.com Tel: 619-281-7165 Fax: 619-563-6840	Autism National Committee (AUTCOM) P.O. Box 429 Forest Knolls, CA   94933 http://www.autcom.org
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) P.O. Box 1968 (55 Kenosia Avenue) Danbury, CT   06813-1968 [email protected] http://www.rarediseases.org Tel: 203-744-0100 Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673) Fax: 203-798-2291	American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) 10801 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD   20852-3279 [email protected] http://www.asha.org Tel: 800-638-8255 Fax: 301-571-0457

Source: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Dr. Jeffrey Speller

Dr. Tanya Korkosz

Psychopharmacology Associates of New England

www.psychopharmassociates.com