pervasive developmental disorder

American  

[per-vey-siv di-vel-uhp-muhn-tl dis-awr-der] / pərˈveɪ sɪv dɪˌvɛl əpˈmən tl dɪsˌɔr dər /

noun

1. autism spectrum disorder. PDD

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pervasive developmental disorder Scientific  

/ pər-vā′sĭv /

1. Any of several developmental disorders, such as autism or Asperger's syndrome, characterized by severe deficits in social interaction and communication or by the presence of repetitive, stereotyped behaviors. Most of these disorders are evident in the first years of life.

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Etymology

Origin of pervasive developmental disorder

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

Then in 2013, the fifth edition of the DSM took what had previously been four separate conditions — autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder and pervasive developmental disorder — and collapsed them all into a single diagnosis: autism spectrum disorder.

From Los Angeles Times

When the American Psychiatric Association changed the criteria between the DSM-4 and the DSM-5, it broadened the definition for ASD to incorporate previously separate diagnoses such as Asperger’s syndrome, Rett syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, or PDD-NOS, under one umbrella.

From Slate

Soon after, doctors diagnosed Miwa with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, characterized by delays in socialization skills.

From Reuters

For example, Rett syndrome is an X-linked pervasive developmental disorder characterized by a spectrum of disabilities including abnormal behavior, speech and motor function.

From Scientific American

The DSM-III, published in 1980, established autism as its own separate diagnosis and described it as a “pervasive developmental disorder” distinct from schizophrenia.

From Science Magazine