Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

developmental disorder
One of several disor-
ders that interrupt normal development in child-
hood. A developmental disorder may affect a single
area of development (specific developmental disor-
der) or several areas (pervasive developmental dis-
order). With early intervention, most specific
developmental disorders can be accommodated
and overcome. Early intervention is absolutely
essential for pervasive developmental disorders,
many of which respond to an aggressive approach
that may combine speech therapy, occupational
therapy, physical therapy, behavior modification
techniques, play therapy, and in some cases med-
ication. See also 
autism; cerebral palsy; develop-
mental disorder, pervasive; developmental
disorder, specific; developmental dyspraxia;
dysarthria; dyscalculia; dyslexia.
developmental disorder, pervasive
A class of
disorders in which the patient shows impairment in
social interaction, imaginative activity, and verbal
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developmental disorder, pervasive
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and nonverbal communication skills, and has a lim-
ited number of interests and activities that tend to be
repetitive (stereotyped). Abbreviated PDD. All types
of PDDs are disorders of the nervous system that are
usually evident by age 3. In general, children who
have PDDs have difficulty talking, playing with other
children, and relating to others, including their fam-
ily members. The types of PDD include autistic dis-
order, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative
disorder, Asperger syndrome, and “pervasive devel-
opmental disorder not otherwise specified.” See
also 
Asperger syndrome; autism; childhood disin-
tegrative disorder; Rett syndrome.