Can anyone help me with developmental disorders?

Question

I have to do a presentation and research paper on developmental disorders. I need resources. I need more information than just Autism/Pervasive Developmental Disorders. I'm not real sure about pervasive disorders. Is that just one part of developmental disorders and are there other types? I don't much about the subject considering I never real worked with this before. It's all new to me and I need all the help I can get. I not sure how they test for developmental disorders, age of a person who maybe diagnosed, assessments, etc. Thanks for any help.

Answer 1

I'm glad I came across this post. I am a teacher and I have been suspecting that my 5 year old nephew could possibly have PDDNOS (PDD not otherwise specified). Here are some links I have used to learn more about it:

http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/factshe/fs20t...

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/pdd/p...

http://www.autismspeaks.org/navigating/p...

Answer 2

Autism is the best-researched PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder).

Other PDDs include:

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

Rett's Syndrome

PDDs are a group of disorders. They're characterized by a lack of social & communication skills.  These delays are typically seen prior to age 3.  Some parents may notice these delays even earlier.

Answer 3

I'm not sure what type of class you're taking, but I suggest you get a copy of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual- IV edition.  This manual is used by psychologists and includes diagnostic criteria (assessment), incidence and prevalence of childhood disorders.   The full manual will also list resources.  You should be able to find it at a university library.  Check with your professor to be sure you're on the right track, as the phrase 'developmental disorders' can be used in a very global and general way, when it medically, it refers to a specific set of behavioral issues.

DSM-IV list of Pervasive developmental disorders:

299.00 Autistic disorder

299.80 Rett's Disorder

299.10 Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

299.80 Asperger’s Disorder

299.80 Pervasive Developmental Disorder NOS

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSM-IV_Code...

Answer 4

The idea of developmental disorders crosses a lot of lines. A developmental disorder can be anything from PDD to autism to a language delay to an unidentified cause for developmental delays. The term developmental disorders is an umbrella term for any "disorder" that exhibits delays in a child's typical developmental sequence. Many children with mental retardation, autism, etc. are often initially diagnosed with a developmental disorder until it is later determined (often at school age) by more specific symptoms and indicators of a specific disorder. Children can be tested through local developmental agencie in a state or city, a school system, a doctor or private practice educational or developmental psychologist. A wide variety of assessment tools are used depending on what characteristic a child is displaying. If they are experiencing academic delays, an IQ test like the WISC may be administered. But there are many different assessments that measure life skills, communication, social skills, etc. Good luck!

Answer 5

Depending on what state you are in Developmental Disorders can be either specific or inclusive of many disorders.

In Early Childhood - birth - 5 - you might see Developmental Delay which could mean speech delay, cognitive concerns etc.  Just in general a student that isn't where typical peers with similar exposure might be.  Many times these students with early intervention - never need special ed services as they are older.

If they are using the term as an unbrella for specific disorder, you would be looking at things that impact normal brain development.  

Without knowing your specifics - hard to know what advice to give you.