Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD) is a rare developmental disorder that is often confused with late-onset autism. While many symptoms are similar, there are important differences between CDD and other autism spectrum disorders. Early diagnosis is important to help children with CDD get the appropriate treatment and the best prognosis for a healthy life.

Austrian special educator Theodore Heller discovered childhood disintegrative disorder, also known as Heller's Syndrome and disintegrative psychosis, in 1908. Heller introduced the condition as dementia infantilis to describe the sudden loss of language and social skills by young children. Over the years, the medical community usually referred to the condition as Heller's syndrome. They did not recognize the CDD diagnosis for years because many experts believed the symptoms were linked to other medical problems. It was not until after autism was discovered that CDD gradually emerged as a recognized neurological condition.

CDD is development disorder that causes children to lose previously acquired language and social skills. An afflicted child usually develops normally for two years and then begins to show CDD signs at three or four years old. CDD is rarer than autism, affecting about one in 100,000 children. CDD occurs more often in boys than girls.

The Diagnostic Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), the standard classification system of American mental health professionals, classifies CDD as a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). CDD, autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Rett's Syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified are the five PDD disorders. CDD is also categorized in the autism spectrum disorder with Asperger's Syndrome, autism, and Rett's Syndrome. These disorders are linked because they are neurological disorders affecting a child's development of normal communication and social skills.

There is no known cause of CDD. Many experts believe that CDD and other PDDs are genetic. Other experts also blame environmental causes such as a toxic exposure or infection. In fact, there is a theory that a malfunctioning autoimmune response could play a role in the development of CDD. Although CDD increases the chance for the development of epilepsy, there is no medical evidence to suggest that epilepsy triggers CDD. Other medical conditions such as tuberous sclerosis, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and lipid storage diseases are also associated with CDD. However, there is no evidence that they cause CDD.

Some children with CDD have been misdiagnosed with late-onset autism. CDD resembles autism due to the general pattern of social, communication and behavioral impairments. However, CDD has the following key differences:

• Two to three years of normal development
• Loss of previously acquired language and social skills
• No longer able to control the bladder and bowel
• Seizures

CDD is more likely to result in mental retardation than autism.

CDD symptoms are dramatic and the child may even comment on them. The loss of developmental skills can occur abruptly within a week or gradually over several months. Common symptoms of CDD may include:

• Loss of previously learned vocabulary and communication skills
  • Has limited or no language skills and cannot participate in a conversation
  • May stop talking
  • Inability to understand verbal and nonverbal communication
• Loss of bladder and bowel control
• No longer interested in social interaction
  • Cannot be comforted by parents
  • Does not want to develop relationships with others
  • Cannot understand the emotions of others
  • No interest in pretend play
• Repetitive and obsessive behaviors
  • Repeats irrational behavior in cycles such as rocking, spinning and hand flapping
  • Repeats words or phrases out of context
  • Prefers strict routine
  • Gets irrationally upset and may throw tantrums if the routine is interrupted
• Seizures

There is no cure for CDD. CDD follows a treatment plan similar to autism. CDD patients are treated with medications and behavior therapy. No specific medication treats CDD, instead, doctors prescribe medication to treat specific symptoms. Anxiety, depression or antipsychotic drugs are often prescribed for aggressive or obsessive behavior. CDD patients who experience epileptic seizures are often given anticonvulsant drugs.

Children with CDD can benefit from behavior therapy programs. Behavior therapy helps CDD patients relearn language, communication, social and self-care skills. Most behavior therapy programs operate on a reward system that encourages positive behavior and discourages negative habits.

CDD has similar symptoms to other neurological problems. Conditions with similar symptoms include:

• Head trauma
• Childhood dementia
• Childhood schizophrenia
• Expressive language disorder
• Selective mutism
• Mental retardation
• Other PDD or autism spectrum disorders

A pediatrician will perform a comprehensive medical and mental evaluation to make an accurate CDD diagnosis and rule out other conditions.

Children affected with child disintegrative disorder usually require lifelong care. Whenever CDD is suspected, parents should contact a doctor immediately for diagnosis. Early intervention provides the best chance to improve life quality.

Parents of CDD patients should learn everything possible about the disorder and the treatment options available. This knowledge will help parents pick the best doctors, therapists and teachers for their children.

The impact of the illness is very stressful on families. Support groups are essential to help families cope. Support group information and more CDD resources are available at Autism Society of America, National Autism Association and the Autism Help site.

• Preschool Activities for Autistic Children
• Possible Causes of Autism
• Tips for Raising Kids with Autism
• What Is Your Autism Empathy Rating?

• Lesson Plans for Autistic Children
• Adult Autism Symptoms
• Social Skills Activities for Kids with Autism
• Speech Therapy Ideas for Autistic Children
• Famous Autistic People

• Asperger Characteristics
• PDD Symptoms
• What Is the Difference Between Aspergers and PDD-NOS
• Different Levels of Autism
• DSM IV