Disability - - Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD)	Key Characteristics	Key Accommodations
Autism	Little to no eye contact Autistic leading Unawareness of social situations Little to no verbal communication Repetitive, echolalic, or robotic speech Inflexible routines Motor repetitions (finger flapping, body rocking)	Generally, interventions should focus on areas of need: social interaction, language development, adaptive behavior, and cognitive development. Several strategies that seem effective with this population are to: Use augmentative and alternative communication strategies Provide structure and predictable routines Be aware of effective strategies to address challenging behaviors.
Rett’s Syndrome	Loss of social skills within the first few years Loss of interesting in social environment Severely impaired expressive and receptive language Develops hand movements such as hand wringing or washing between 5 and 30 months	Generally, interventions should focus on areas of need: social interaction, language development, adaptive behavior, and cognitive development. Several strategies that seem effective with this population are to: Use augmentative and alternative communication strategies Provide structure and predictable routines Be aware of effective strategies to address challenging behaviors.
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder	Loss of interest in environment but not until 3-4 years of age Lack of social or emotional reciprocity Loss of language skills around 3-4 years of age Repetitive use of language Lack of make-believe play Develops repetitive motor movements such as hand flapping and finger waving Restricted interests and activities	Generally, interventions should focus on areas of need: social interaction, language development, adaptive behavior, and cognitive development. Several strategies that seem effective with this population are to: Use augmentative and alternative communication strategies Provide structure and predictable routines Be aware of effective strategies to address challenging behaviors.
Asperger’s Syndrome	Lack of ability to read social cues Awkward eye contact Interest in social environment No clinically significant delay in language Use of language (pragmatics) may be delayed (e.g., loudness or socially appropriate use) Restricted areas of interest (e.g., preoccupation with a topic) Inflexible adherence to certain routines Repetitive motor movements	Generally, interventions should focus on areas of need: social interaction, language development, adaptive behavior, and cognitive development. Several strategies that seem effective with this population are to: Use augmentative and alternative communication strategies Provide structure and predictable routines Be aware of effective strategies to address challenging behaviors.
Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified	Delays in social interaction or communication Does not meet the criteria for PDD but there are obvious delays for no apparent reason	Generally, interventions should focus on areas of need: social interaction, language development, adaptive behavior, and cognitive development. Several strategies that seem effective with this population are to: Use augmentative and alternative communication strategies Provide structure and predictable routines Be aware of effective strategies to address challenging behaviors.