Functional Characteristics of PDD

1. Thinking Difficulties
   Focused attention on details
   Concrete, literal thinking (vs. abstract thinking)
   Understanding context
   Organizational, sequential difficulty
   Attend to the wrong details
   

2. Learning Differences
   Visual learning style (vs. auditory or tactile)
   Problems with language and communication
   Dependence on routines
   Spikes in development (hyperlexia)
   Failure to generalize (people, settings)
   

3. Sensory Disturbances
   Odd responses (high threshold to pain - it feels good)
   Hyper-sensitivity
   Over stimulation
   

4. Behavioral Patterns
   Social impairment
   Hyperactivity
   Short attention span
   Impulsivity
   Aggressiveness
   SJB's
   Temper tantrums
   Difficulty with generalizations
   Compulsive behavior/obsessive thoughts
   Difficulty with transition
   Predictability preferred more than spontaneity and novelty
   Eating (limited to Pica) or sleeping abnormalities
   Excessive fears
   Fearlessness
   Compulsivity
   Frightened by transitions

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