What is the Difference between Autism and Pervasive Development Disorder?
The term Pervasive Development Disorder has been used recently by professionals to describe children who have the symptoms of autism either to a mild degree, or display fewer symptoms, but do not show the “classic” form. In the past these children might have been described as having autistic features, residual autism, or being autistic-like. A “pervasive” disorder means it affects all areas of functioning, not just one, as in a language disorder or mental retardation.
