Is Childhood Disintegrative Disorder Serious?

Expert answer:

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (TDI), also known as Heller's syndrome, is a serious, rare, unknown cause that causes loss of skills already acquired in the areas of language, social interaction and motor skills.

Children with childhood disintegrative disorder develop a seemingly normal development in the first 2 years of life, but before they reach age 10 they begin to manifest a profound regression in communication and social skills.

The cause of the disorder is not known, but it is believed that its origin is associated with genetic factors, accidents before or during childbirth, infections and neurological diseases.

The disease causes severe mental retardation, epilepsy, severely impairs the overall functioning of the child and its development throughout life.

Disintegrative disorder of childhood is rare, with about 1.5 cases per 100,000 births, being much more common in boys than in girls.

Childhood disintegrative disorder can be considered a serious form of autism. However, this is a very different picture in the beginning, in evolution and in consequences.

The development of autism in childhood disintegrative disorder occurs later, up to 10 years of age, after a period in which the child has a normal development until then.

The treatment of childhood disintegrative disorder should begin as early as possible, with a multidisciplinary approach in the educational, social and psychological area.

Learn more at: Childhood Disintegrative Disorder: What are the Symptoms and How to Treat It?