Pervasive Developmental Disorders (aka Autism Disorders)

Pervasive Developmental Disorders

Autism is a spectrum disorder and the term autism actually refers to a set of disorders - Pervasive Developmental Disorders - that affect socialization, communication and other behaviours.  The five Pervasive Developmental Disorders are Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, Rett's Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and PDD-NOS. 

Autism: Although not all symptoms need to be present, here are some to look out for:

- Lack of interest in toys 
- Spinning objects 
- Placing objects in lines 
- Content with being alone 
- Flapping hands 
- Excitement in unusual situations or with different objects 
- Lack of affection 
- Appear not to be aware of surroundings 
- Does not respond to their name 
- Unusual sleeping patterns 
- Show distress for unexplained reasons 
- If verbal, repetitive language (echolalia) 
- Resisting change in routine (driving a different way home) 
- Displaying outbursts 
- Sensitive to textures (clothing, food, etc.) 
- Show prolonged interest in one object 

*I have recently read (although cannot remember where) that what used to be considered a lack of affection is in fact an overstimulation of affection, and as people with Aspergers and Autism  have an extremely high sensitivity to stimulation, the sign gets misread.

*Asperger's Syndrome and Autism are often used interchangeably, but there are differences in the two.  Asperger's of course falls on the Autism Spectrum but has two distinct differences that makes it stand out from Autisic Disorder (what we refer to as Autism). 

Asperger's Syndrome Individual's with Asperger's Syndrome have 2 characteristics that make them stand out from their autistic peers (although impairments in socialization, communication, presence of stereotypical and repetitive behaviours are the same)

1)     language development in those individuals with Asperger's is normal, and often time is more advance, and

2)     intelligence quotient (IQ) is average or above average. 

Asperger's is the fastest growing diagnosis in Newfoundland Labrador.  Anyone, of any age can be diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome.

Rett's Syndrome, The symptoms of this disorder are easily confused with those of cerebral palsy. The clinical diagnosis specifies a small head and small hands and feet. Stereotypical repetitive hand movements such as mouthing or wringing of the hands are also included as diagnostic signs. Symptoms of the disease include learning disorders and a total inability to socialize. Girls with Rett syndrome are very prone to seizures and gastrointestinal disorders. They typically have no verbal skills, and about 50% of females are ambulatory.

Symptoms of Rett syndrome that are similar to Autism include:
• screaming fits
• panic attacks
• inconsolable crying
• avoidance of eye contact
• lack of social/emotional reciprocity
• general lack of interest
• poor use of nonverbal communication
• delay of linguistic development
• loss of speech.

Symptoms of Rett syndrome that are also present in cerebral palsy include:
• short stature
• severe dementia
• mild learning disability
• hypotonia
• delayed or absent ability to walk
• gait/movement difficulties
• ataxia (unsteady walking)
• abnormally small head
• some forms of spasticity
• wringing of hands
• spasmodic movements of hand or facial muscles
• grinding of teeth.

I am not sure how much writing,  due to cognitive level, someone with this disorder might have.  I will have to explore this some more, so for now, I will not explore any assistive technology.  From my tiny bit of looking on the internet, the assistive technology suggested was for a walker.

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder This is a very rare condition.  Childhood disintegrative disorder is a condition in which children develop normally through age 3 or 4. Then, over a few months, children lose language, motor, social, and other skills that they already learned.

• Sympoms: Delay or lack of spoken language
• Impairment in nonverbal behaviors
• Inability to start or maintain a conversation
• Lack of play
• Loss of bowel and bladder control
• Loss of language or communication skills
• Loss of motor skills
• Loss of social skills
• Problems forming relationships with other children and family members

PDD-NOS.  This is also a very rare condition.  Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified is usually shortened to PDD-NOS, and is a ‘sub threshold’ condition in which some — but not all — features of Autism or another explicitly identified Pervasive Developmental Disorder are identified.