Early Childhood Intervention
This website is a place for families who are facing
challenges pertaining to their child's development and
growth.
It is a place to find answers and practical
suggestions. That's what Early Intervention Support is all
about.
Whether a family has a child with a challenging behavior,
a disability or developmental issue, childhood is short - it
should be savored and enjoyed.
Learn More:
Ask a Therapist
We understand developmental milestones and the challenges
of Special Needs children. We spend a great deal of time
with families understanding the inner workings of childhood
routines and interactions. Ask us about your child today!
Ask a Therapist
Pervasive Developmental Disorders
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What are Pervasive Developmental Disorders?
The diagnostic category of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) refers
to a group of disorders characterized by delays in the development of
socialization and communication skills.
Symptoms of Pervasive Developmental Disorder
Parents may note symptoms as early as infancy, although the typical age
of onset is before 3 years of age. Symptoms may include:
- Problems with using and understanding language
- Difficulty relating to people, objects, and events
- Unusual play with toys and other objects
- Difficulty with changes in routine or familiar surroundings
- Repetitive body movements or behavior patterns.
What are the specific types of PDD?
Autism (a developmental brain disorder characterized by impaired social
interaction and communication skills, and a limited range of activities and
interests) is the most characteristic and best studied pervasive
developmental disorders.
Other types of PDD include Asperger's Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative
Disorder, and Rett Syndrome.
Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders vary widely in abilities,
intelligence, and behaviors. Some children do not speak at all, others speak
in limited phrases or conversations, and some have relatively normal
language development.
Repetitive play skills and limited social skills are generally evident.
Unusual responses to sensory information, such as loud noises and lights,
are also common.
Treatment of PDD
There is no known cure for pervasive developmental disorders. Medications
are used to address specific behavioral problems; therapy for children with
PDD should be specialized according to need. Some children with PDD benefit
from specialized classrooms in which the class size is small and instruction
is given on a one-to-one basis. Others function well in standard special
education classes or regular classes with additional support.
What Is The Prognosis?
Early intervention including appropriate and specialized educational
programs and support services plays a critical role in improving the outcome
of individuals with pervasive developmental disorders. PDD is not fatal and
does not affect normal life expectancy.
Where Can I Get More Information?
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Special Education Programs
P.O. Box 1492
Washington, DC 20013-1492
Phone 800-695-0285
Fax 202-884-8441
E-mail nichcy@aed.org
Website: http://www.nichcy.org
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Information Clearinghouse
1 Communication Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20892-3456
Phone 800-241-1044
800-241-1055 (TTD/TTY)
E-mail nidcdinfo@nidcd.nih.gov
Website: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov
MAAP Services for Autism, Asperger's, and PDD
P.O. Box 524
Crown Point, IN 46308
Phone 219-662-1311
Fax 219-662-0638
E-mail info@maapservices.org
Website: http://www.maapservices.org
Autism Research Institute (ARI)
4182 Adams Avenue
San Diego, CA 92116
Phone 619-281-7165
Fax 619-563-6840
E-mail director@autism.com
Website:
http://www.autismresearchinstitute.com
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 1968
(55 Kenosia Avenue)
Danbury, CT 06813-1968
Phone 203-744-0100
Voice Mail: 800-999-NORD (6673)
Fax 203-798-2291
E-mail orphan@rarediseases.org
Website: http://www.rarediseases.org
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
National Institutes of Health, DHHS
6001 Executive Blvd. Rm. 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
Phone 301-443-4513
866-615-NIMH (6464)
301-443-8431 (TTY)
Fax 301-443-4279
E-mail nimhinfo@nih.gov
Website: http://www.nimh.nih.gov
National Institute of Child Health and Human Information Resource
Center
P.O. Box 3006
Rockville, MD 20847
Phone 800-370-2943
888-320-6942 (TTY)
Fax 301-984-1473
E-mail
NICHDInformationResourceCenter@mail.nih.gov
Website: http://www.nichd.nih.gov
Autism Network International (ANI)
P.O. Box 35448
Syracuse, NY 13235-5448
E-mail jisincla@mailbox.syr.edu
Website: http://ani.autistics.org
Autism National Committee (AUTCOM)
P.O. Box 429
Forest Knolls, CA 94933
Website: http://www.autcom.org
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
10801 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852-3279
Phone 800-638-8255
Fax 301-571-0457
E-mail actioncenter@asha.org
Website: http://www.asha.org
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Learn More About Early Intervention
Therapy Options
Thankfully, there are many ways to deal with childhood developmental
delays and behaviors. These include in-home services, outpatient (you take
your child to a clinic), inpatient (following injury or surgery) and school
based services. Which type of therapy should you choose?
Visit our Therapy Options
area to learn more.
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