Alexander Center > Common Conditions > Pervasive development disorder

Common conditions

This section includes conditions that can be evaluated and treated by Alexander Center professionals.

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Pervasive development disorder – not otherwise specified

Pervasive development disorder – not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) is considered another of the autism spectrum disorders. PDD-NOS is a complex developmental disability that usually appears during the first three years of life.

Children who have PDD-NOS understand and respond to information in unique ways. Some children may have difficulty starting or maintaining conversation. Others will talk “endlessly” about a favorite topic.

Behaviors that have been associated with PDD-NOS include:

• resistance to change (insisting on things remaining the same)
• repeating words and phrases in place of normal conversation
  
• preferring to be alone
• little or no eye contact
• not enjoying cuddling
• obsessive attachment to objects or simply carrying the object with them
• different levels of fine and gross motor skills
• flapping arms or moving fingers when excited
• undersensitivity to pain
• extreme reaction to touch, sounds or smells

Like other autism spectrum disorders, the major disabilities of PDD-NOS are weaknesses in social interaction and communication and unusual interests and behavior patterns.

In general, PDD-NOS is diagnosed when some, but not all, characteristics of autism are present. Children who have PDD-NOS do not have as severe characteristics as children who have autism. Some professionals refer to PDD-NOS as “mild autism.”

Tests, treatment

See autism spectrum disorders