pervasive developmental disorder

[ per-vey-siv di-vel-uhp-muhn-tl dis-awr-der ]

noun

1. autism spectrum disorder. : PDD

pervasive developmental disorder

/ 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pervasive developmental disorder¹

First recorded in 1975–80