The pervasive developmental disorder spectrum: a case illustration.
Children diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disorder experience difficulties along a spectrum of severity. Impairments in socialization, communication, and the ability to appropriately express and interpret affect in relationships are common features of the disorder. After summarizing salient thinking in the field, the author describes a case emphasizing the individual psychotherapy process in which the patient was involved. Although individual psychotherapy with such patients is currently viewed with skepticism, the one-on-one relationship may be a central feature of such treatment because it can serve as a model for other relationships. The author advocates a multimodal treatment plan appropriately geared to the needs of such patients.
Pope
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Children's Division of The Menninger Clinic, Topeka, KS 66601-0829.
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D011613:Psychotherapy