Clinical features and diagnosis of autism and other pervasive developmental disorders.

Pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs), or autism spectrum disorders, are neurodevelopmental disorders resulting in impaired social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication deficits, and repetitive, stereotyped behaviors and restricted interests. This article reviews the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision criteria for the PDDs, which include autistic.disorder, Asperger's disorder, Rett's disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, and PDD not otherwise specified, with a focus on autistic disorder, which is most characteristic of the PDDs. In addition, associated clinical and epidemiologic features of the PDDs and comorbidities are discussed. Principal components ofthe diagnostic evaluation are presented with an emphasis on early identification of these disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]