Pervasive Developmental Disorders, or PDD, refers to a group of disorders characterized by delays in the development of multiple basic functions, including socialization and communication. PDD typically occurs after 30 months of age and before age 12. Symptoms may include communication problems such as using and understanding language; difficulty with changes in routine or familiar surroundings; and repetitive body movements or behavior patterns. Autism is the most characteristic and best-studied PDD. Other types of PDD include Asperger’s syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Rett’s syndrome.
Students with PDD vary greatly in their abilities, intelligence and behaviors. Grafton has the expertise to work with individuals with PDD in the settings and with the strategies that are most suited to each child.
AutismAutism is a severely incapacitating, lifelong developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. A 2007 Center for Disease Control report found that 1 in 150 children in the United States today has an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism can occur by itself or in association with other disorders that affect the function of the brain, such as viral infections, metabolic disturbances and epilepsy. Individuals with autism may exhibit self-injurious behavior and repetitive, highly unusual and/or aggressive behaviors. Speech and language may be absent or delayed, while specific thinking capabilities may be present. Additional information on the autistic spectrum disorders can be found on the web site for the Virginia Autism Resource Center (VARC).
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