Autism Spectrum Disorder

Pervasive developmental disorder was once a term used to describe a group of developmental delays that affect social and communication skills. But now healthcare providers call it autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This name change occurred in 2013, when the American Psychiatric Association reclassified the four following conditions into one umbrella diagnosis in the DSM-5:

• Autistic disorder.
• Asperger’s syndrome.
• Childhood disintegrative disorder.
• Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).

Note: “Autism spectrum disorder” is the correct, updated term for “pervasive developmental disorder.” But for this article, we’ll use both terms.

People with pervasive developmental disorder may experience a range of challenges, including:

• Delays in language or communication.
• Trouble adjusting to changes in their routines or surroundings.
• Difficulty relating to others.

How common is pervasive developmental disorder?

Pervasive developmental disorder is the most common subtype of autism spectrum disorder, making up about 47% of all ASD diagnoses.