What is the difference between PDD and Autism?

PDD stands for Pervasive Developmental Disorder. It is a classification that includes many different conditions, including autism, Asperger's syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and PDD. PDD is a syndrome of developmental delay of learning how to be in social groups and communication.

Diagnosis for this particular disorder may be attained when and if the child seems to be having trouble with age-appropriate movements or speech problems. Autism is an example of a neuropsychiatric disorder illustrated by the inability to engage in social groups and language and communication problems.

There have been numerous different ideas as to how autism is developed. It has been said that autism could come from a pregnant woman's irresponsible behaviors, who may be smoking or drinking without any thought as to how it is affecting her unborn baby. It may also come from genetic mutations or environmental causes such as heavy metals and pesticides.

PPD stands for Pervasive Development Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified. This is the type of diagnosis given to people who may be exhibiting some signs and symptoms of autism but do not fully meet the criteria that will make them fully autistic. There are some signs that the person may be autistic but not to the extent that it will truly make the person autistic.

Those who have autistic disorder may be diagnosed the moment that they reach the age of three because that is the time when they would begin to show some signs that they are autistic. Parents need to be aware of the symptoms so that they will know if they should bring their children to the therapist for diagnosis or not.