Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD)

Pervasive Developmental Disorders are characterized by significant impairments in several areas of development which may include social interaction skills, communication, behaviors or presence of unusual interests and activities. The defining aspect of the disorder is how distinctly deviant the conditions are relative to the normal developmental level or mental age of that individual. Some specific developmental disorders are Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, Rett’s Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder, (NOS) Not Otherwise Specified. These disorders are usually evidenced in the first few years of life. The diagnosis of Pervasive Developmental Disorder, NOS is used when there are impairments in development but the impairments are not sufficient to meet the full criteria for one of the other developmental disorders. This may be due to late onset, atypical symptoms, or subthreshold findings. Nevertheless, Pervasive Developmental Disorders require significant evaluations including medical, psychological, speech and language, and sometimes, physical or occupational therapy. Silber Psychological Services provide evaluations to determine the presence and treatment options of children suspected of having PDD. Further, our practice offers social skills group treatment for those whose delays reside in the social domain.