What does pervasive mean?

Pervasive means ‘deeply penetrating.’ It involves a disorder that digs deep into the developmentof a person in many areas of life. This denotes that the development of social relationships andskills, language and imaginative powers, the development of locomotion, self-image, feelings, play,fantasy, and knowledge of the ways of the world may evolve in a disorderly manner.

Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) is not the same as a diagnosis, but only an indication ofa group of disorders.

Among others, Dr. Bernard Rimland7 observes, however, that the term “pervasive” is particularlyinappropriate. Rather than being a pervasive disorder, he is convinced autism is in fact a specificone, characterized by deficits in social and cognitive functioning contrary to severely retardedpersons, many of whom have chromosomal defects that affect every cell in their bodies. This is justan illustration of the controversies surrounding the various definitions of autism related disorders.

Asperger's Syndrome in Laymens Terms. Aspergers Checklist
Autism Guide: The Essential Guide To Autism
Autism Books
Aspergers Checklist