Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD) usually occurs in children at the ages of 3 and 4. CDD is characterized by normal development up until the ages of 3 or 4 where deterioration in previously acquired cognitive, social and language skills occurs.

Characteristics

• Loss of social skills;
• Loss of bowel and bladder control;
• Loss of expressive or receptive language;
• Loss of motor skills;
• Lack of play;
• Failure to develop peer relationships;
• Impairment in nonverbal behaviours;
• Delay or lack of spoken language;
• Inability to initiate or sustain a conversatio

Treatment

Intensive, appropriate early intervention greatly improves the outcome for most young children with PDD/autism. Most programs will build on the interests of the child in a highly structured schedule of constructive activities.

Treatment is most successful when geared toward the individual's particular needs. An experienced specialist or team should design the individualized program. A variety of effective therapies are available including:

• Occupational Therapy (OT)
• Physical therapy
• Sensory integration
• Speech/Language Therapy
• IBI

Related Links

• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder - From Yale Child Study Center.
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder - Description, ICD-10 Criteria... etc.
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder - By Ann Reyes, Ph.D.
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder - From PsychNet UK.
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder - Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia Info.
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder - by Arthur P. Sullivan, Ph.D. February, 2000.
• Longitudinal and Biological Study of Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.