anti-father

It's been suggested that my child has a mild form of PDD and we are getting him tested. He is 5 1/2. Although generally very loving (and always so with me), he has lately taken to exhibiting short bursts of unprompted rage at his father. He says he does not like Papa, orders him to go away and will even throw things. He is usually immediately sorry and it is clear that these rages are uncontrollable. (They last only a few seconds.) But it is distressing, especially for my husband. They do play well together and my son has periods of perfect contentment with Papa but the anger  can always flare up, even then. There is no underlying reason for this as far as we can see. Is this simply a factor of his PDD? What, if anything, can be done about it?
Many thanks.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Unexpected outbursts of an emotional sort can characterize some children who display PDD spectrum conditions. So, if he truly does display this condition, his beavior might be one of its manifestations. In handling the behavior, the key is to refrain from taking it personally. There is no need to respond in a disciplinary fashion unless your son is 'breaking the rules' in the process. If he is simply displaying emotion, respond to it with equanimity. Make an effort to help your son verbalize what has him in such a state of upset.