The diagnostic category of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) refers to a group of disorders characterized by delays in the development of socialization and communication skills. Parents may note symptoms as early as infancy, although the typical age of onset is before 3 years of age. Symptoms may include problems with using and understanding language; difficulty relating to people, objects, and events; unusual play with toys and other objects; difficulty with changes in routine or familiar surroundings, and repetitive body movements or behavior patterns. Autism (a developmental brain disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication skills, and a limited range of activities and interests) is the most characteristic and best studied PDD. Other types of PDD include Asperger's Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Rett's Syndrome. Children with PDD vary widely in abilities, intelligence, and behaviors. Some children do not speak at all, others speak in limited phrases or conversations, and some have relatively normal language development. Repetitive play skills and limited social skills are generally evident. Unusual responses to sensory information, such as loud noises and lights, are also common. There is no known cure for PDD. Medications are used to address specific behavioral problems; therapy for children with PDD should be specialized according to need. Some children with PDD benefit from specialized classrooms in which the class size is small and instruction is given on a one-to-one basis. Others function well in standard special education classes or regular classes with additional support. Early intervention including appropriate and specialized educational programs and support services plays a critical role in improving the outcome of individuals with PDD. PDD is not fatal and does not affect normal life expectancy. The NINDS conducts and supports research on developmental disabilities, including PDD. Much of this research focuses on understanding the neurological basis of PDD and on developing techniques to diagnose, treat, prevent, and ultimately cure this and similar disorders. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?CMD=search&term=disorder,+pervasive+development[majr]+AND+human[mh]+AND+english[la]+AND+(review[ptyp]+OR+review+literature[mh]+OR+practice+guideline[ptyp]+OR+guideline[ptyp]+OR+clinical+trials[mh]+OR+clinical+trial[ptyp]+OR+consumerj[sb])&db=PubMed&orig_db=PubMed&filters=on&pmfilter_EDatLimit=2+Years 2 http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term= /disorders/pdd/pubs_pdd.htm /disorders/pdd/xml_pdd.xml xml_pdd.xml V749 National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities

U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Special Education Programs

1825 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 700 Washington DC 20009 nichcy@aed.org http://www.nichcy.org 800-695-0285 202-884-8200 202-884-8441 V658 National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

National Institutes of Health, DHHS

6001 Executive Blvd. Rm. 8184, MSC 9663 Bethesda MD 20892-9663 nimhinfo@nih.gov http://www.nimh.nih.gov 301-443-4513/866-415-8051 301-443-8431 (TTY) 301-443-4279 V691 National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Information Clearinghouse

1 Communication Avenue

Bethesda MD 20892-3456 nidcdinfo@nidcd.nih.gov http://www.nidcd.nih.gov 800-241-1044 800-241-1055 (TTD/TTY) V686 National Institute of Child Health and Human Information Resource Center

P.O. Box 3006

Rockville MD 20847 NICHDInformationResourceCenter@mail.nih.gov http://www.nichd.nih.gov 800-370-2943 888-320-6942 (TTY) 301-984-1473 V299 MAAP Services for Autism, Asperger Syndrome, and PDD

P.O. Box 524

Crown Point IN 46308 info@aspergersyndrome.org http://www.aspergersyndrome.org/ 219-662-1311 219-662-1315 Provides information, advice, and networking to families of more advanced individuals affected by the autism spectrum, including autism, Asperger syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder. Publishes a quarterly newsletter. V708 Autism Network International (ANI)

P.O. Box 35448

Syracuse NY 13235-5448 jisincla@syr.edu http://www.ani.ac Autistic-run self-help and advocacy organization that provides a forum for autistic people to share information, peer support, and tips for coping and problem-solving. V21 Autism Research Institute (ARI)

4182 Adams Avenue

San Diego CA 92116 director@autism.com http://www.autismresearchinstitute.com 866-366-3361 619-563-6840 Conducts research and disseminates research-based information on the cause, prevention, and treatment of autism and related disorders. V20 Autism National Committee (AUTCOM)

P.O. Box 429

Forest Knolls CA 94933 http://www.autcom.org Works to protect and advance the human rights and civil rights of all persons with autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, and related differences of communication and behavior. V91 National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)

55 Kenosia Avenue

Danbury CT 06810 orphan@rarediseases.org http://www.rarediseases.org 203-744-0100 Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673) 203-798-2291 Federation of voluntary health organizations dedicated to helping people with rare "orphan" diseases and assisting the organizations that serve them. Committed to the identification, treatment, and cure of rare disorders through programs of education, advocacy, research, and service. V211 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

2200 Research Boulevard

Rockville MD 20850 actioncenter@asha.org http://www.asha.org 800-638-8255 301-571-0457 Professional, scientific, and credentialing association for audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists. Offers public information about a wide range of speech, language, and hearing disabilities in both children and adults.