Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)

According to KidsHealth.org Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) "refers to a group of developmental conditions that affect children and involve delays or impairments in communication and social skills." PDD is basically another name for Sensory Integration Dysfunction but with more specific characteristics and is broken into separate categories. Autism, Asperger's syndrome, and Rett's syndrome are all forms of PDD.
(Autism and other pervasive developmental disorders, 2008)

There is no one cause found for PDD. There have been many theories that have not been proven but scientists believe thay are from "neurobiological problems, which may have a genetic basis like other conditions that stem from abnormalities in the chromosomes a child inherits." (Autism and other pervasive developmental disorders, 2008)

Signs of PDD are usually apparent by the age of 3. Here is a list of some of the early signs of PDD:

• trouble interacting or playing with others
• avoids eye contact
• unusual movements (hand flapping, spinning, tapping)
• delays in developmental milestones
• loss of developmental milestones
• not using language
• not curious about their environment

(Autism and other pervasive developmental disorders, 2008)

Some experts that could help diagnose children with PDD are pediatric neurologists, developmental pediatricians, pediatric psychiatrists, or pediatric psychologists.

The doctors may use "parent questionnaires, educational and cognitive assessments, language assessments, play or behavior assessments" (Autism and other pervasive developmental disorders, 2008) as part of their evaluation.

There is no cure of PDD but early intervention and treatment is key to helping children. One of the treatments is an "individually tailored program" that can include "behavior modification and educational interventions." (Autism and other pervasive developmental disorders, 2008) The goal of all treatment is to have the children functioning in a regular education classroom.

The best way for parents to help their children are to give them lots of "hugs and verbal praise" and "give them consistent message at home and school." (Autism and other pervasive developmental disorders, 2008)

What I think:

The message about the "consistent message at home and school" is so imporant. Parents and teachers need to be on the same page and work together to get this children the help they need. It is wonderful this site recognizes that.

I think that this is a great site for anyone learning about PDD to visit. At the bottom of the information it gives the names of the doctors who reviewed it. I think that this is reliable information.

One of the challenges with Sensory Integraion Dysfunction is that it has so many different categories to it. J.C. was diagnosed as having general Sensory Integration Dysfunction because he has symptoms from all of the categories. I am still unsure how I feel about this diagnoses. I wish they could make up a name for the exact symptoms he has so when I tell someone what he has it will be specific.

Part of this article mentioned that some of these signs/symptoms may seem that of a normal child, which makes this disorder even harder to recognize. This is why we were told to wait longer before taking J.C. to the doctors to see if the symptoms stayed consistent.

My question is if I was a parent going to the doctor to get my child tested for PDD and I was filling out a questionaaire, could I fill it out with accuracy? And if my child is not diagnosed with PDD but after filling out that questionaaire I was convinced my child had PDD would the doctor think I'm crazy?

I just think it would be very difficult for a parent not to become convinced their child has PDD because many of the symptoms are exhibited by normal children.

J.C.'s main symptom from this category was not using language. He would say a word, maybe even a few times, and then not repeat it. He would direct us with his gestures rather than saying what he wanted. I think one of the reasons we didn't really think anything of it is because we enjoyed him being a baby, so we were literally "babying" him. After his diagnosis we would not do what he gestured until he at least attempted to say what he wanted. We had to really watch ourselves because we were so used to just knowing what he wanted or what he was gesturing. Now with two new brothers in the house he tries to do this for attention and to act like a "baby", but we try to stay on top of it and make sure he says what he wants or what he is pointing to.

References

Autism and other pervasive developmental disorders. (2008). KidsHealth. Retrieved May 31, 2008, from Nemours Foundation Web site: http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/medical/learning/pervasive_develop_disorders.html