Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified

You said you were concerned that your child has some of the following problems:

• Has an odd way of dealing with other children which leads to problems making or keeping friends
• Speech is strange or unclear
• Unable to use words as well as other kids' his/her age to communicate
• Does the same movement over and over
• Makes sounds or words without purpose
• Needs to have things done or said in exactly the same way over and over

Your child probably has problems in one or more of the following areas:

• Trouble making eye contact
• Trouble making the right facial expressions when talking to others.
• Trouble making and keeping friends.
• Does not show interest in things that others may like to do.
• Trouble with give and take(in relationships).
• Too interested in one or more topics.
• Trouble dealing with changes in schedule or routine.
• Hand/finger flapping or twisting.
• Too interested in parts of objects.

You also said that your child is having big problems at home, school, or with peers because of these things. Some children who have problems in these areas have something called Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified. The things you reported suggest that your child may have this type of problem. Children with PDD can have a lot of different types of problems. Your child's doctor will help you understand your child's specific problems and what can be done to help.

American Academy of Pediatrics (1996). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Primary Care. Elk Grove Village, Illinois: Author.

American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.