Pervasive Developmental Disorders

DSM-IV Criteria for Autistic Disorder

• A. Qualitative Impairment in social interaction

• B. Qualitative Impairment in communication

• C. Qualitative Impairment in behavior patterns, interests, and activities

• D. Onset prior to age 3

Characteristics

• Male to female ratio = 3-5:1– Females with Autism more likely to have

severe MR

• Onset: by definition less than 3 years of age

• Course: usually continuous & lifelong • Symptoms may change over time • Familial: increased risk among siblings

Associated Characteristics

• Mental Retardation in ~75% • Uneven profile of cognitive skills • Behavior & emotional problems

– aggression, hyperactivity, oppositional, self-injurious behavior

– anxiety, fears, sleep, eating disturbances

• Movement disturbances• Odd responses to sensory stimuli • Seizures develop in adolescence in ~25%

Associated Characteristics

• A. Sensory & Perceptual Deficits • B. Intellectual Performance• C. Behavior Problems• D. Psychological deficits

– 1. Affective-social deficit – 2. Social cognitive deficit – 3. Executive functioning deficit – 4. Weak central coherence

• E. Neurological abnormalities

Asperger’s Syndrome

• Language, curiosity, and cognitive development proceed normally.

• Substantial delay in social interaction and

• “development of restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, and activities”

• More common in males• Course: Usually continuous and life long

Rett’s Disorder

• Development of multiple deficits following a period of typical development after birth.– Apparently normal prenatal and perinatal

development• Loss of purposeful movement, loss of social

engagement, severely impaired language development

• Head growth decelerates• Onset: 5 to 48 months• Clinical population entirely female • Usually associated with Severe or Profound

MR• Course: Usually continuous and life long

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

• Marked regression in multiple areas of functioning after at least 2 years of apparently typical development.

• Very rare, much less prevalent than Autistic Disorder

• More common in males• Usually associated with Severe MR• Course: Usually continuous and life

long