Disorders Similar To Autism

Disorders Similar To Autism

Pervasive Development disorder 

Any kind of diagnosis is scary and no parent is ever prepared to hear that their child has a developmental disorder. Before acceptance one tends to experience an emotional phase but there’s one thing I am certain of, parents always wants what’s best for their children. There are few developmental disorders that are slightly similar to autism and in most cases are mistaken for autism, they all fall under the pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) umbrella. Pervasive developmental disorder includes a few mental disorders such as autism, Rett, PDD- Not Otherwise Specified and childhood disintegrative disorder. 

Symptoms 

Symptoms that fall under these disorders vary from one individual to another but the most common symptoms are

1. Noticeable between ages of one to three: these developmental disorders are typically noticed by parents during infancy and toddlerhood. Children with PDD disorders show sighs of developmental delay as early as eighteen months and they seem to lose social skills.
2. Loss of speech or language regression: most common symptom is loss of speech, some children tend to be delayed in terms of speech, others lose speech as they grow and in worst cases others don’t even gain language. Some children get to gain their speech later on with help from speech therapies and other stimulations.
3. Regression of social skills: due to loss of speech and lack of understanding social cues children with developmental disorder lose interest of interacting and playing with their peers. They seen to enjoy their space and like isolate themselves.
4. Genetic factor: disorders that fall under pervasive developmental disorder are caused by genetic factors. There’s no specific cause for these mental disorders, generally they are accepted as disorders that cause abnormalities in the brain structure or function.
5. Repetitive behavior: some children with this disorders will experience some repetitive behavior also known as stimming. It mostly occurs when they are anxious about something or when they try to calm themselves down.

There are many symptoms for pervasive developmental disorder including the common ones listed above. If you are suspecting some delay in your child’s development, best get them diagnosed in order to get them into therapy for treatment.