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   childhood disintegrative disorder

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder is a form of Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) which most people associate with Autism. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder is a severe regression in several areas of functioning, including communication, social relationships, motor skills, cognitive skills, and adaptive skills. This decline in skill follows what appears to be a normal course of development for the first two to ten years of life. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder symptoms are very similar to Autism.

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder is quite rare, although the condition might be largely under diagnosed. Like Autism, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder is more common in males than in females.

According to the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder is accompanied by the following symptoms:

Significant loss of previously acquired skills in at least two areas:

• Expressive language
• Receptive language
• Social or adaptive skills
• Bowel or bladder control
• Play
• Motor skills

And, abnormalities in at least two of the following areas:

• Impairment in nonverbal behavior
• Failure to develop peer relationships
• Inability to initiate or sustain a conversation                 
• Stereotyped and repetitive use of language
• Lack of make believe play

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