Pervasive
Development
Disorders

     There is much discussion among the medical community at this time where to put ADD and ADHD. Most agree that they are not pervasive development disorders or a form of autism, however their diagnosis is not a simple diagnosis. ADD and ADHD can cover a wide range of symptoms and social behaviors. There can be multiple contributing causes. Testing can give us an understanding of how to best help.
     Children with ADD and ADHD can also have complicating pervasive development disorders. Symptoms and social behaviors linked with ADD, ADHD and PDD typically respond well to our holistic approach. This is why we include both of these conditions with information about PDD.
     Pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) cover a wide category of disorders characterized by delays in the development of multiple basic functions including socialization and communication. This group usually includes but is not limited to:

• Autism
• Asperger Syndrome
• Rett Syndrome
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
• Vaccine Damage or Vaccine Reaction
• Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

     The last, PDD-NOS, is most common. The term PPD is not always used the same way even within the medical community. This may be because doctors are hesitant to diagnose very young children with a specific type of PDD, such as autism. Because the term PDD actually refers to a category of disorders and is not a diagnostic label, many use the term PDD as a short way of saying PDD-NOS.