The diagnostic category pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), as opposed to specific developmental disorders (SDD), was a group of disorders characterized by delays in the development of multiple basic functions including socialization and communication. It was defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) (from 1980 to 2013), and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) (until 2025).

The pervasive developmental disorders included autism, Asperger syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD), overactive disorder associated with intellectual disability and stereotyped movements, and Rett syndrome.

The onset of pervasive developmental disorders occurs during infancy, but a specific condition is usually not identified until the child is around three years old. Parents may begin to question the health of their child when developmental milestones are not met, including age appropriate motor movement and speech production.

There is a division among doctors on the use of the term PDD. Many use the term PDD as a short way of saying PDD-NOS. The eleventh edition of the ICD also removed the category.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of PDD may include behavioral and communication problems such as:

  • Difficulty using and understanding language
  • Difficulty regulating behaviors and emotions, which may result in temper tantrums, anxiety, and aggression

The World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition (ICD-10) categorized PDD into five distinct subtypes, each with their own diagnostic criteria. The five subtypes, childhood autism, atypical autism, Rett syndrome, Asperger syndrome and childhood disintegrative disorder, are characterized by abnormalities in social interactions and communication.

  • Typical autism, the best-known;
  • Asperger syndrome (9% of autism diagnoses);
  • Rett syndrome; and
  • Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD).

The first three of these disorders are commonly called the autism spectrum disorders; the last two disorders are much rarer, and are sometimes placed in the autism spectrum and sometimes not.

PDD and PDD-NOS

There is a division among doctors on the use of the term PDD.

See also

  • Infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy
  • Multiple complex developmental disorder
  • Multisystem developmental disorder

References

  • CDC's "Learn the Signs. Act Early." campaign - Information for parents on early childhood development and developmental disabilities
  • NINFS Pervasive Developmental Disorders Information Page

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