Research summaries for autism therapy: pervasive developmental disorder (PDD)

definition of pervasive developmental disorder (PDD): Defined as a broad category of disorders in which there is a delay in the development of basic functions including communication and social interaction. PDD includes autism spectrum disorders (autism disorder, childhood disintegration disorder, Rett syndrome, Asperger’s syndrome, and PDD-not otherwise specified or PDD-NOS).
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Gastrointestinal Symptoms in a Sample of Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Summarized Nov 4, 2010

Children’s GI problems appear less likely to respond to autism treatment and therefore GI symptoms may need to be considered and treated when creating a treatment plan for a child with autism.

The purpose of this study was to study the GI problems in a large sample of children with autism. The authors studied 172 children who entered two large-scale autism drug therapy trials. The groups (GI problems and no GI problems) were the same with regards to sex, race, special education placement, and family background. It seemed that those children who had more GI problems also had more behavioral problems. Children with autism and GI problems also had more social problems than children without GI problems.

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Aripiprazole in Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified and Asperger’s Disorder: A 14-Week, Prospective, Open-Label Study, Summarized Jul 22, 2010

Aripiprazole may help to improve severe irritability in children with pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome.

This prospective, open-label study sought to find out if the drug aripiprazole was safe and helpful as a treatment for irritability in children with PDD-NOS and Asperger syndrome. The 14-week study found that aripiprazole was safe and may be helpful for such patients. The patients showed decreased irritability as well as increased social behavior. The authors note that there are not many studies of patients with PDD-NOS (as opposed to autism). PDD-NOS is the most common subtype of PDD and the authors called for more studies of these patients.

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Skill Acquisition in Students with and without Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Summarized Jun 22, 2010

The main purpose of this study was to see how seven junior-high school students with autism learned field hockey skills within a normal classroom. The study also looked to see if the fact that the students with autism were in a normal classroom somehow slowed down the other students in the classroom. The authors noted that the students with autism acquired skills more slowly than neurotypical students. Read more...

Interactive Metronome Training in Children with Attention Deficit and Developmental Coordination Disorders, Summarized May 27, 2010

Interactive Metronome training may help children with attention deficit disorder or pervasive developmental disorder who have deficits in visuomotor control and speed.

This study was designed to see if Interactive Metronome therapy can help these children move better and pay attention better. The study was designed so that each child acted as his or her own control. The authors found that Interactive Metronome seemed to help with some aspects of motor control and reaction time. They did not see improved attention in the children after therapy. The authors note that there is very little research to back up the many claims made by people who offer Interactive Metronome therapy.

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Synonyms for pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) include: PDD, pervasive development disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, pervasive developmental disorders
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