What Is Childhood Disintegrative Disorder?
Also known as heller’s syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder is a rare condition wherein the development of a child occurs normally till three or four years of age, however, then loses social, motor, language and other skills learned by him or her.
The disorder is the part of autism spectrum disorder. Though, different from autism, a child with childhood disintegrative disorder develops later and demonstrate intense regression after being normally developed for some years, whilst, as compared to a child with autism, experiences greater loss of skills.
Its treatment involves behavior therapy, medication and other methods.
What Are The Alternative Names Of Childhood Disintegrative Disorder?
Childhood disintegrative disorder is also known by the following names:
- Heller syndrome.
- Disintegrative psychosis.
What Are The Symptoms Of Childhood Disintegrative Disorder?
Few common symptoms of childhood disintegrative disorder are:
- Lack or delay of spoken language.
- Loss of social and motor skills.
- Loss of communication or language skills.
- Loss of bladder and bowel control.
- Lack of play.
- Inability to maintain or initiate a conversation.
- Problems to establish relationships with family members and other children.
- Impaired nonverbal behaviors.
When Is The Right Time To Seek Medical Assistance?
In case the child has begun to lose his or her developmental abilities, or is experiencing delays in the development, do not delay to seek medical assistance.
What Causes Childhood Disintegrative Disorder?
Unfortunately, the precise cause of childhood disintegrative disorder is unknown; however researchers are working to identify what sources this rare disorder.
How Is Childhood Disintegrative Disorder Diagnosed?
Based on the symptom, the doctor will take steps to find out whether the patient has childhood disintegrative disorder or other mental conditions similar to the disorder for example autism or childhood schizophrenia.
How Is Childhood Disintegrative Disorder Treated?
Treatment of childhood disintegrative disorder involves medications, environmental and behavior therapy.
- Behavior therapy: Applied behavior analysis focuses to relearn social, self-care and language skills.
- Environmental therapy: quite specifically, sensory enrichment therapy has proven to improve signs of autism by enriching sensory experience, a lot of which are similar to childhood disintegrative disorder.
- Medications: Unfortunately, no medication can treat childhood disintegrative disorder directly. However intense behavior problems such as repetitive behavior patterns and aggressive stance are treated with antipsychotic medications. In order to manage seizures, anticonvulsant drugs are prescribed.
Few parents opts alternative therapies to supplement behavior therapy and medical treatment. However their effectiveness and safety are not yet proven. It is advice to discuss with your doctor prior seeking a therapy. For he will you sketch a better picture of the risks, benefits and possible side effects when used in combination of the existing medication.
What Is The Prognosis Of Childhood Disintegrative Disorder?
Unfortunately, outlook for childhood disintegrative disorder is poor. Majority children tend to experience impairment by reaching the age of ten.
By : Natural Health News