Estimated reading time 4 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Do you need to know what pervasive developmental disorder is? Do you need advice on how to best teach your students? On one hand, PDD can affect how someone interacts with music. On the other hand, it can be a wonderful resource for boosting morale and generally enhancing your students’ lives. Keep reading to answer the question, “What’s pervasive developmental disorder and its impact on music?”
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission from purchases made through the links. I’ll only recommend products I use, use in lessons, or ones my students or colleagues have recommended.
What’s Pervasive Developmental Disorder and Its Impact on Music: What Is It?
What is PDD?
Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) is used to categorize a group of behavioral characteristics for individuals who have troubles with communicating, socializing, and display socially problematic behaviors.
PDD is a general term and not in itself a diagnosis.
Under the umbrella of PDD is:
- Autism
- Aspergers syndrome
- Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)
- Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD)
- Rett syndrome
In the early 2000s, PDD and PDD-NOS were commonly used. However, the first four diagnoses on the list above now have been moved under the umbrella of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Even though PDD isn’t a specific diagnosis, PDD-NOS is.
- PDD-NOS is sometimes used as a placeholder diagnosis when a child is very young.
- Since most very young children have limited language skills, it can make it difficult to assess if a child falls on the autistic spectrum (ASD) or if there is something else going on.
- Children with PDD-NOS can range from non-verbal up to very good language skills.
Therefore, the child’s level of communication will determine whether music therapy or adapted music lessons will be a better fit.
The following post will give you information that will help you decide whether music therapy or music lessons are appropriate for your PDD-NOS child.
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What’s Pervasive Developmental Disorder and Its Impact on Music: Adapted Music Lessons
What are adapted music lessons?
Adapted music lessons use an adapted score to help students master reading on their instruments.
If the student has good communication skills, vocal or instrumental lessons will usually be a good fit.
- With many students, they’ll learn similarly to typical learner students.
- However, they’ll often need help navigating the social aspects of the lessons.
- Also, there can be issues with dichotomous thinking, where everything is black and white with no in between. If you run into problems with this, ask your student, “Is there a middle ground here?”
Other students will struggle with learning to read the score.
- This can vary from mild to extreme, because each student is different.
- This is why you shouldn’t get too attached to labels.
- They make a good starting place, but ultimately, you need to learn your student’s strengths and struggles.
The following links contain information on how to use multisensory strategies to help your students learn their instruments.
This post shows you how to “scaffold” the multisensory techniques.
What’s Pervasive Developmental Disorder and Its Impact on Music: Music Therapy
What is music therapy?
- It entails sessions with a board-certified therapist, focusing on using music for non-musical goals.
- Therefore, songs might be used to work on language skills or for learning specific tasks such as how to put on clothing.
- Playing instruments, such as drums and other percussion instruments, can be used to work on gross and fine motor skills.
- Also, songs can be used for stress management, or to deal with trauma.
Kids with PDD can have issues with noticing social cues, navigating social interactions, and appropriately expressing themselves.
- Thus, the sessions may focus on learning language skills.
- Or it can center on social skills and emotional regulation.
- For example, the therapist might use games that help develop listening skills or that work on taking turns.
Also, the sessions can be used for self-expression.
- Difficulties with social interactions can create a tremendous amount of stress. Learning to sing or play an instrument can be a much-needed outlet.
- In addition, ensemble activities can help foster a sense of belonging and community.
- It’s also a lot of fun.
Here Are Some Effective Music Therapy Resources
Final Thoughts
Takeaway points:
- Pervasive developmental disorder is used to categorize a group of behavioral characteristics for individuals who have troubles with communicating, socializing, and display socially problematic behaviors.
- Adapted music lessons use an adapted score to help students master reading on their instruments.
- Music therapy entails sessions with a board-certified therapist, focusing on using music for non-musical goals.
Have fun teaching!
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