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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Exploring Cognitive Intervention for Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Summarized May 7, 2009

A new approach to occupational therapy may be helpful in teaching children with autism to tie their shoes, keyboard, ride a bike, and do other daily tasks.

Motor problems are common in children with autism. This case study looks at a new treatment approach to treating autism, the Cognitive Orientation to Occupational Performance (CO-OP). The CO-OP approach was first designed to help children with movement (coordination) problems. The authors found that the CO-OP approach helped the two boys in the study learn to do a better job with day-to-day tasks. The authors note that the children's ability to perform the daily tasks varied over the course of the study. Read more...

Retrial of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders: A Retrospective Chart Review, Summarized May 6, 2009

SSRI drug therapy may not be helpful for children with autism.

Many youths with autism do not respond well to SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) drug therapy (paroxetine, fluoxetine, sertraline, etc.). This study reports on the outcome of youths with autism who received a second round of SSRI therapy after treatment failure on a first SSRI. Only one third of children who received a second round of SSRI therapy had a good response to the second SSRI therapy. This response rate was low and was lower than has been shown in other studies. The authors also found that side effects were common on the SSRI therapy. Read more...

A Case Study of a Five-year-old Child with Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified Using Sound-Based Interventions, Summarized Apr 17, 2009

Listening therapy may help children with autism with sensory processing, listening, and language skills.

Occupational therapists (OT) often use sensory integration therapy as a main approach when treating children with autism. Sensory integration therapy takes a wide range of forms, one of which is listening therapy/sound therapy. There are very few studies that look to see if listening therapy helps children with autism. The aim of this case study was to see if The Listening Program would help a five-year-old boy with autism. In this case, listening therapy was chosen to reduce sensory sensitivity enhance language use and improve functional behavior. Read more...

Should Tactile Sensation Impairment be Considered in Pharmacotherapy of Pervasive Developmental Disorder? A Case Report, Summarized Mar 11, 2009

Sertraline may help in the treatment of tactile defensiveness in people with autism.

People with autism often have trouble processing sensory input. Sertraline is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant that is also known to help with pain and itching. This case report describes a woman with Aspergerâ??s syndrome who was given sertraline drug therapy and could better accept the feel of rough textures. Right after starting sertraline therapy, the woman was better able to wear scratchy clothes. The author suggests that further research be done to see if sertraline is a good option for the treatment of people with this sensory pattern. Read more...

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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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