Is A Pervasive Developmental Disorder The Same As An Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Oct. 23, 2008 -- Question: Is a pervasive developmental disorder the same as an autism spectrum disorder?

Answer: A pervasive developmental disorder is the same as an autism spectrum disorder. PDD, or pervasive developmental disorder, is simply the term used in the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders to refer to all of the autism spectrum disorders. So, indeed, these terms are used interchangeably.