Pervasive Developmental Disorder - PDD

Pervasive development disorder refers to a group of disorders, each of which is characterized by delays in the progress of some basic functions like communication and socialization. The most common of the group of disorders is Autism. The others include Childhood disintegrative disorder, Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). Let us look at each of them. But before that, let us understand the some common symptoms, causes and the cure for Pervasive Developmental Disorder.

Symptoms of PDD
Symptoms of PDD are detectable before three years of a child’s age. Those suffering from PDD include difficulties interacting with others. They avoid eye contact with people and commonly exhibit difficulties in language perception. They show odd behaviors like spinning and hand flapping and are often seen playing with the same toy. PDD is characterized by delays in physical and mental development.

Causes of Pervasive Development Disorder
Scientists attribute PDD to neurobiological problems. These disorders can be genetically caused by abnormalities in chromosomes. Excessive quantities of yeast in the digestive track and other food allergies may cause PDDs. Some environmental toxins are also linked to pervasive development disorders.

Cure for Pervasive Development Disorder
There are no medicines that can treat pervasive development disorders. But some symptoms can be alleviated by medications. A child’s mood swings and aggressive behavior can be treated through medications. Therapies can take them towards normal behavior and medicines can assist in their education.

Autism
Autism includes restricted interests, repetitive behavior and difficulty in communication. Autistic individuals may be mentally disabled and silent or may be active show odd social behavior and pedantic communication. Autistic infants do not pay much attention to their surroundings. They often do not promptly respond to their name or to stimuli. Toddlers with autism lack the social understanding. They are less attached to people around them. Autistic behavior is sometimes characterized by destruction of property and aggression. Unusual eating habits and sleep disorders are also seen in autistic individuals. They often communicate non-verbally and show atypical gestures. They do not interact normally.

Rett Syndrome
Decelerated rate of head growth and small hands and feet are characteristic to this syndrome. People with Rett Syndrome show cognitive inabilities and cannot socialize. Females with the Rett syndrome suffer from gastrointestinal disorders. The syndrome is caused by a sporadic mutation in the gene MECP2. It may be inherited from normal mothers with germline mutation. Symptoms other than those listed before, are inconsolable crying, problems in coordination, panic and screaming fits. There is no cure to the disorder but counseling and care might help. Medicines can help manage gastrointestinal conditions and improve communication skills.

Childhood disintegrative disorder
It is also known as Heller’s syndrome. It is similar to autism except that a normal development is noted before the regression of skills begins. The skills attained are suddenly lost. Children suffering from this syndrome may react to hallucinations. Childhood disintegrative disorder is associated with conditions like accumulation of excess fat in the nervous system, brain inflammation due to infection and tumors.
Like the other PDDs, medication can be used only to normalize behaviors and control seizures in case of childhood disintegrative disorders.

Asperger Syndrome
Normal language skills and cognitive abilities distinguish Asperger Syndrome from the other PDDs. Children affected by this syndrome show abnormal gestures and postures. They show difficulties in reciprocating. Their social presence is described as being ‘active but odd’. One unusual characteristic of these children is that they show intense but narrow areas of interest. They show weakness in non-literal language and face problems with motor skills. They show a low quality of sleep. Asperger syndrome arises during early development its causes relate to genetic disorders. Treatments for Asperger syndrome are concerned with fighting depression in children and improving behavioral patterns of the children affected.

Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified
The last type, which is PDD-NOS, lies in the autism spectrum. If people diagnosed for PDD cannot be categorized under any of the other three disorders, they are classified as being under PDD-NOS. This disorder resembles autism.

How can we help?
We must support children with pervasive development disorders. We should love them and offer support. We should encourage them to take to normal behavior and help the lead a normal life. We can take medical advice and guidance form professionals. Children with PDDs need the boost from society so that they don’t feel out of place.