[Delinquency by a juvenile with pervasive developmental disorder: a case in which interaction between disorder and family dysfunction played a key role].

Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) is characterized by peculiar psycho-behavioral patterns. Youths with PDD who commit delinquent acts often exhibit strange behavior beyond ordinary comprehension. In order to fully understand and identify PDD it is important to take a comprehensive psychosocial history. Here we report on a 19-year-old delinquent male from a juvenile detention home who was exhibiting PDD. Both the psycho-behavioral patterns of the subject and the dysfunctional family background were key factors in this case. The subject persistently stalked and harassed an elementary school girl despite repeated intervention by police and the girl's parents to stop doing so. This behavior culminated in the subject being arrested and put on probation. While on probation his behavior continued, leading to his arrest and confinement to a correctional facility for juveniles with medical needs. Several features that included sustained impairment in social interaction and repetitive patterns of behavior that are often identified in delinquents with PDD were found to exist in the subject and he was diagnosed with PDD (probably Asperger's disease). The subject presented with a superficial understanding of the consequences his behavior had on others and for himself. Also, impaired family function was found to be a major contributing factor to his delinquency. Together theses factors hindered the subject from acquiring appropriate social skills. The major responsibility for providing care and support of an individual with PDD is within the family. Failure of the family to undertake such responsibilities can lead to ineffective treatment even after a specialist has identified the disorder. Given the slow decline of the nuclear family in Japan, it is important to understand the role of the family in caring for a child with PDD. Also, public recognition of PDD and social support for individuals with the disorder is important.