Pervasive Developmental Disorder: An Altered Perspective

by Barbara Quinn

Pervasive Developmental Disorder, or PDD, is the umbrella term used to cover the whole family of autistic spectrum disorders - including autism and Asperger Syndrome. Within this group there is a subgroup called NOS - not otherwise specified - which covers the conditions which do not quite meet the diagnostic criteria for autism or Asperger Syndrome. Because PDD covers such a wide spectrum, it presents very differently from child to child. Written principally for parents, this is a book which explains what it means for your child to be diagnosed with PDD, NOS, autism or Asperger Syndrome, and where you go from there. The authors describe the symptoms of PDD, what a diagnosis means, how a child fits into the diagnostic terminology and the diagnostic procedures involved. They also review associated disorders such as OCD, and discuss the different treatments and therapies available. The book includes frequently-asked questions, as well as the experiences of other parents. It is accessible, informative and supportive, a practical introduction to PDD.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting

158 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

PLEASE read this book if you question ANY of your child's behavior and/or learning skills! This book saved my life...well...my son's home-life and school-life.
We went years without a diagnosis, until one psychiatrist finally put the time and effort in; that my son needed.
I was completely clueless and happened upon this book...I cried through almost every chapter...I felt as if I had found the Lost Grail! Someone wrote a book about our family's daily life!
I so wish I had found this book earlier than I did. After reading it, I bought multiple copies and proceeded to distribute them to grandparents, teachers, coaches, etc...

[Irishcoda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone (I wish I could remember who) recommended that I read Pervasive Developmental Disorder: An Altered Perspective (by Barbara Quinn and Anthony Malone) so that I could understand better about PDD-NOS. I would like to thank that person because yes, this book helped so much! There are some sections in the book that are a little difficult to understand because the discussion is about biology and how our brains work. However, the authors suggest that the reader start out where the greatest needs or questions lie and skip around. I learned the differences between the spectrum disorders but basically it all boils down to this: the kids with PDD have some issues all of their lives, especially with socializing. There are a lot of interventions and medications available so a diagnosis of autism or PDD is not the end of the world. The book concludes with stories told by the parents of four kids diagnosed with PDD. The stories are hopeful without being sappy, realistic without being scary. I would recommend this book to anyone whose family member has PDD.

[R.K. Goff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I good book for absolute basic information. It explains not only what is different about a child with PDD, but also explains how it compares to normal.

It covers about as much as the "100 Day Guide" only with a little more information about what the symptoms may or may not be, and how it compares to normal. And a little less information about what the parents may be going through, or how to cope, etc.