Childhood Disintegrative Disorder Overview

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder Overviewabruptly over the course of days to weeks or
Childhood disintegrative disorder is a severe lossgradually over an extended period of time. There
of social, communication and other skills classifiedis seldom found an underlying medical or
in a group of disorders called Pervasiveneurological cause.
Developmental Disorders. Onset is usually afterFurther research is difficult due to the limited
the age of four. The signs and symptoms arenumber of children diagnosed with childhood
similar to autism, although autism usually occurs atdisintegrative disorder, although more research is
an earlier age and is more common.needed at this time. Experts suspect there may
Pervasive developmental disorders include:be a genetic basis or that an autoimmune
Childhood disintegrative disorderresponse plays a role in the development of
Autismchildhood disintegrative disorder.
Aspergers syndromeTreatment
Rett syndromeTreatment for childhood disintegrative disorder is
Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwiseabout the same as for autism; there is no cure
specifiedfor this disorder. Treatment may include:
A Viennese educator, Theodor Heller, firstMedications: There are no medications specifically
described the condition. Childhood disintegrativeto treat childhood disintegrative disorder. Severe
disorder is also known as Hellers syndrome afterbehavior problems like aggression and repetitive
Theodor Heller.movements can sometimes be controlled by
Signs and symptoms of childhood disintegrativeantipsychotic medications.
disorder include:Behavior therapy may be used by psychologists,
Normal development for at least the first twospeech therapists, physical therapists and
years of lifeoccupational therapists, parents, teachers and
Significant loss of previously acquired or learnedcaregivers.
skills before age 10 in at least two of the followingPrognosis for children with childhood disintegrative
areas:disorder is usually poor and worse than for
1. ability to say words or sentenceschildren with autism. Children with this disorder
2. ability to understand verbal and nonverbaloften need residential care in a group home or
communicationlong term care facility.
3. social skills and self-care skillsSource: Mayo Clinic
4. bowel and bladder controlDisclaimer: This article is for educational purposes
5. play skillsonly. It is not intended to be a substitute for
6. motor skills (ability to voluntarily move the bodyinformed medical advice or care. You should not
in a purposeful way)use the information in this article to diagnose or
The lack of impairment occurs in at least two oftreat any health problems or illnesses without
the following areas:consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please
1. social interactionconsult a doctor with any questions or concerns
2. communicationyou might have regarding your or your childs
3. repetitive and stereotyped patterns ofcondition.
behavior, interests and activitiesThis article is FREE to publish with the resource
Childhood disintegrative disorder may occurbox.