PDD

Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)

DEFINITION: Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) is a nonprogressive disorder resulting from a central nervous system lesion or abnormality that occurred during fetal brain development. This term is used to describe children who have an impairment in the quality of their social interactions and communications, but do not meet the full descriptive or diagnostic criteria for Autism, Rhett's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Asperger's Syndrome.

CAUSES: A number of factors have been associated with PDD including maternal infection, metabolic disturbance, injury to the central nervous system, exposure to environmental toxins, and genetic abnormalities. However, no single etiology has been identified at this time.

POSSIBLE SIGNS, SYMPTOMS AND CHARACTERISTICS:

Lack of responsiveness to given stimuli	Lack of social responses and limited social interaction	Demonstrates unusual patterns of behavior, interests, and activity
Failure to anticipate social interactions	Difficulty engaging in social games	Lack of, or impaired, speech
Inability to empathize with others	Inappropriate attachment to particular objects	Limited/restricted food preferences
Clumsiness	Impulsivity	Hyperactivity
Aggression, violence or out-of-control behaviors	Unexplainable distress and discomfort	Sleep problems
Inappropriate gaze behavior including gaze aversion, empty staring, or staring at inconsequential objects

COMMONLY USED MEDICATIONS AND THEIR SIDE EFFECTS

Ritalin

Used to control impulsiveness and help the child pay attention

May cause appetite suppression and insomnia

Prozac

Used to reduce compulsions associated with anxiety or aggression

May heighten the effects of haloperidol, carbamazepine, or lithium

Haldol, Mellaril, Clozaril, and Risperdal

Used to reduce fidgeting

May cause tardive dyskinesia (slow, rhythmical, automatic, and stereotypical movements, either general or in single muscle groups)

HELPFUL HINTS AND SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

	Create and maintain a highly structured learning, activity, leisure, or recreation environment.
	All parents and professionals working with the learner should use the same rules and behavior management system, including positive reinforcement strategies, to focus on desired behaviors.
	Create a system to help the learner adjust to transitions ?task cards, for example.
	Provide an opportunity for vigorous, aerobic activity to foster fitness, increase attention span, and decrease self-stimulatory and off-task behaviors.
	Maintain a small teacher/coach to learner/athlete ratio.

Links

Developmental Delay Resources

Pervasive Developmental Disorder

Council for Exceptional Children FAQ on PDD

Information Sheet Home

Information on this sheet contains only suggested guidelines. Each person must be considered individually, and in many cases, a physician's written consent should be obtained.

With thanks to the TWU Master's Level Course, "Issues in Adapted Physical Education," taught by Kerrie Berends, Summer, 1998 (edited by Huettig, Fall, 1998).

CAUSES: A number of factors have been associated with PDD including maternal infection, metabolic disturbance, injury to the central nervous system, exposure to environmental toxins, and genetic abnormalities. However, no single etiology has been identified at this time.

POSSIBLE SIGNS, SYMPTOMS AND CHARACTERISTICS:

HELPFUL HINTS AND SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

Create and maintain a highly structured learning, activity, leisure, or recreation environment.

All parents and professionals working with the learner should use the same rules and behavior management system, including positive reinforcement strategies, to focus on desired behaviors.

Create a system to help the learner adjust to transitions ?task cards, for example.

Provide an opportunity for vigorous, aerobic activity to foster fitness, increase attention span, and decrease self-stimulatory and off-task behaviors.

Maintain a small teacher/coach to learner/athlete ratio.