Assessment of children with pervasive developmental disorders.
OBJECTIVE
Pervasive developmental disorders, a group of conditions marked by impaired social reciprocity, communication deficits, and restricted, repetitive behaviors.


OBJECTIVE
Advanced practice nurses (APNs) are in a unique position to assess these children, make appropriate diagnoses, and refer parents for further consultation and intervention.


METHODS
Current literature, formal training on diagnostic instruments, and clinical experience.


CONCLUSIONS
Diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorders requires knowledge of normal growth and development and other childhood psychiatric disorders. The role of the APN includes counseling parents regarding their child's legal right to intervention and guiding parents to make empirically based choices for intervention.
Koenig
K
K
Yale Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA. kathy.koenig@yale.edu
Scahill
L
L
D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D012017:Referral and Consultation