Table of Contents
What are Pervasive Developmental Disorders?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being
done?
Organizations
Related NINDS Publications
and Information
Publicaciones en Español
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
nichcy@aed.org
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
nimhinfo@nih.gov
http://www.nimh.nih.gov
Tel:
301-443-4513/301-443-8431 (TTY) 866-615-NIMH (-6464)
Fax: 301-443-4279 |
|
National Institute on
Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Information
Clearinghouse
1 Communication Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20892-3456
nidcdinfo@nidcd.nih.gov
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
NICHDInformationResourceCenter@mail.nih.gov
http://www.nichd.nih.gov
Tel: 800-370-2943
888-320-6942 (TTY)
Fax: 301-984-1473 |
|
MAAP Services for Autism,
Asperger's, and PDD
P.O. Box 524
Crown Point, IN 46308
chart@netnitco.net
http://www.maapservices.org
Tel: 219-662-1311
Fax: 219-662-0638 |
Autism Network
International (ANI)
P.O. Box 35448
Syracuse, NY 13235-5448
jisincla@mailbox.syr.edu
http://ani.autistics.org
|
|
Autism Research Institute
(ARI)
4182 Adams Avenue
San Diego, CA 92116
http://www.autismresearchinstitute.com
Tel: 619-281-7165
Fax: 619-563-6840 |
Autism National Committee
(AUTCOM)
P.O. Box 6175
North Plymouth, MA 02362-6175
SusanG1961@aol.com
http://www.autcom.org |
|
National Organization for
Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 1968
(55 Kenosia Avenue)
Danbury, CT 06813-1968
orphan@rarediseases.org
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
actioncenter@asha.org
http://www.asha.org
Tel: 301-897-5700
800-638-8255
Fax: 301-571-0457 |
Related NINDS Publications and Information
Publicaciones en Español
-
Autismo
Información del
autismo del Instituto nacional de desórdenes y del
movimiento neurológicos/Spanish-language fact sheet on
autism compiled by the National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892
NINDS health-related material is
provided for information purposes only and does not
necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position
of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care
of an individual patient should be obtained through
consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or
is familiar with that patient's medical history. All NINDS-prepared
information is in the public domain and may be freely copied.
Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated.
Last updated December 03, 2004
