Childhood

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, all though 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