Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD) is a rare neurobiological disorder that affects children after their first two years of life. This rare condition is also known as Heller’s syndrome and disintegrative psychosis, and it is a part of the group of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), including autism and Rett syndrome.
CDD symptoms are characterized by the late onset of developmental delays in language skills, social function and motor skills. These delays are typically noticeable around three or four years of age.
There are some similarities between this condition and autism, but the differences between them are often more pronounced. The onset of this condition is usually delayed compared to that of autism and the symptoms are often more severe.
The Symptoms of CDD
During the early stages of this condition, many of the child’s abilities are normal and their communication skills are not impaired. This is because the brain is developing normally throughout the first several years of a child’s life.
As your child ages, there are other symptoms of this condition that may become more severe and impact his or her health. These symptoms include:
Poor Self-Sufficiency
Your child may begin to rely on you for assistance with daily activities such as getting dressed and eating. They may need help with personal care and even getting to the bathroom or bedroom. This can be extremely difficult on them and on their family.
Frequent Impulsiveness
Your child’s impulses to jump out of a chair or control their behaviors may become incredibly frequent. They may also blurt out things without thinking about them. They may have problems with attention and memory.
Short Attention Span and Distractibility
Your child will have a hard time paying attention to tasks or being distracted by any sights, sounds, or movements that they see. This can make it difficult for them to perform well in school or at home.
Affected children are prone to accidents and injuries. This can be especially true if your child has a history of head trauma or brain damage.
Motor Coordination Difficulties and Problems With Muscle Tone
Your child can have difficulty with their fine and gross motor skills. This can lead to problems with walking, running and other activities.
These skills are essential for the success of your child’s education and daily living. It is important to be able to identify and address these challenges quickly so that your child can reach their full potential as a person.
Medications can be an effective treatment for this condition. They can help your child develop their motor skills and improve the way they interact with others.
They can also help to control your child’s impulsiveness and attention deficit disorder. They can also be used to reduce seizures that can sometimes occur in this condition.
The best thing you can do for your child is to talk with their doctor about any concerns or problems you are having with their health. This can help to get them the help they need quickly and ensure that your child is healthy in every way.
