What ARE the five pervasive developmental disorders?
• Autism • Asperger syndrome • not-otherwise-specified (PDDNOS) • Rett’s syndrome • childhood degenerative disorder Autism and Aspergers are the two most recognized conditions; however, many children and adults are diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder, not-otherwise-specified. The not-otherwise-specified diagnosis is considered by some to be a catchall for individuals who have some of the signs autism but not enough to fit in any of the four other disorders. PDD conditions don’t have to be mild to fall under the not-otherwise-specified designation. Some cases are very severe. The two other pervasive developmental disorders include Retts syndrome and childhood degenerative disorder. Each of these conditions is very rare, and the symptoms are remarkably severe. Children develop normally at first in these two conditions but drastically lose previously mastered skills and interactive abilities. What makes Aspergers a unique PDD? Exceptional language skills are a main reason that
