PDD or pervasive developmental disorder, is an umbrella term for developmental problems that arise when it comes to one's behavioral and mental abilities. If a child is suffering from one of the many PDDs, he / she is likely to go through some tough times while growing up, since these can only be detected as they age. These problems tend to arise around the age of 3, where skills and learning capabilities are hampered due to delayed response, loss of imagination and difficulty in communicating. Due to their ineffectiveness to understand the things that happen around them, they can't keep up with normal kids and often have problems in a foreign environment and school setting. Pervasive Developmental Disorder Causes There are no known causes for these disorders except that the problems lie in the nervous system, namely the brain and spinal cord in particular. These are diagnosed through a series of tests and x-rays to determine if whether the child suffers from a PDD or not. The child is then introduced to a psychiatrist or developmental pediatrician, to oversee speech and social skills, as well how he / she responds to play time. There are five main kinds of PDDs, namely Asperger's syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, autism, Rett syndrome and childhood disintegrative disorder. They all showcase similar symptoms, and depending on different features of the disorder like in social or behavioral terms, they are then determined upon diagnosis. Pervasive Developmental Disorder Symptoms The symptoms of this disorder can be identified as the child ages, making it easier for parents and doctors to gauge whether it is something to worry about or easily work on. The symptoms can range from not so troubling to quite problematic depending on how far the disorder has progressed.

1. Behavior is aggressive.
2. Not able to adapt to new places, people, or changes in routine.
3. Not able to understand facial expressions and gestures.
4. Constantly on edge, showcasing signs of being nervous at times.
5. Has a strange way of playing with toys and other objects.
6. Odd behavioral patterns like spinning continuously, flapping his / her hands, banging their heads on the wall or bumping into things.
7. Not able to fall asleep easily.
8. Not responding to sounds immediately or sometimes even reacting to sounds that haven't even been made.
9. Fearfulness
10. Not easy for him / her to interact with other kids and adults in a social setting.
11. Some sounds are sensitive, therefore their response to these is different.
12. Constant tantrums with anger flare-ups.
13. Not able to communicate verbally or understand a particular language.

Pervasive Developmental Disorder Treatment The treatment options available for kids who suffer from PDDs can lessen the intensity of the symptoms and can help them cope better with other kids, adults, and in school. Learning and speech classes, as well as counseling is available for these kids, to help them deal with their disorders. Medication For problems like hyperactivity, behavior that may cause harm to the child, and anxiety - medication can be administered to help treat these different problems. Behavior Counseling Speech therapists and counselors can step in to help your child work on their problem areas, to increase their efficiency and capabilities in their communication skills. Support is given to them as they grow into young adults, to help cope with this. Special Education The outline of the child's educational needs are first planned in a way where he / she is able to take it all in without hindrances. Exploring one's options here would prove beneficial, so feel free to look up places that specialize in taking care of kids with special needs. The symptoms of PDD can be worked on, should a child receive help much earlier than later. Parents need to pay attention to how their children behave and react to and within instances, since these can easily be ignored as childlike behavior.