pervasive developmental disorder autism spectrum disorder A pervasive developmental disorder that is a spectrum of psychological conditions. The disease has_symptom widespread abnormalities of social interactions and communication, has_symptom severely restricted interests and has_symptom highly repetitive behavior. DOID:0060041 disease_ontology The DSM-5 diagnosis encompasses previous diagnoses (from DSM_IV-TR) of autistic disorder, Asperger's disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, and PDD-NOS. Rather than categorizing these diagnoses, the DSM-5 will adopt a dimensional approach to diagnosing disorders that fall underneath the autism spectrum umbrella. MFOMD_0000208 Disorders characterized by social deficits and communication difficulties, stereotyped or repetitive behaviors and interests, and in some cases, cognitive delays. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism_spectrum