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Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

In 2013, much in the medical, psychological and psychiatric fields changed when it came to autism and some other related developmental disorders. That year, the newest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) wrapped five different disorders under one umbrella that became known as autism spectrum disorder, or ASD.

Before that time, these disorders were listed in other categories and treated as if they were entirely unrelated to autism. One of those disorders, called childhood disintegrative disorder, or CDD, used to be listed under pervasive developmental disorders.

Eleven years ago, though, that changed when the American Psychiatric Association created the ASD moniker. Now, CDD was merged with other related disorders into the neurodevelopmental disorders category.

There are a lot of similarities between CDD and the other disorders under the ASD umbrella, including the fact that one of the leading treatments for it is known as applied behavioral analysis, or ABA therapy. At the same time, there are some key differences and unique aspects.

We’ll take a look at those similarities and differences of CDD below.

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Table Of Contents

What is Childhood Disintegrative Disorder?

Childhood disintegrative disorder is very rare, as only about one in 100,000 children are diagnosed with it1. This is much lower than the overall prevalence of ASD in children in the U.S. which is one in 36 children2.

Children who have CDD typically develop appropriately until they reach at least 2 years old. They may seem “normal” compared to their peers in social relationships, adaptive behavior, nonverbal and verbal communication, and play.

Then, sometime between three and four years old, they will lose the ability to do some of the skills that they had already acquired. For example, they may lose the ability to control their bowels or bladder after being potty trained.

They could also experience troubles with receptive and expressive language, social skills, play, motor skills, adaptive behavior and more.

The loss of these skills can sometimes be gradual over time, or it could even be abrupt.

What are Some of the Symptoms of CDD?

As mentioned above, CDD is generally characterized as a child developing appropriately for their age until they’re at least 2 years old, and then losing the ability to do those skills that they had already acquired. Most of the time, these skills are lost starting around age 3 or 4, ending around age 10 at the latest.

To be diagnosed with CDD, a child must have lost two of the following previously acquired skills — receptive or expressive language, adaptive behavior or social skills, bowel or bladder control, play and motor skills3.

They also typically experience impaired functioning in at least two of these areas: communication, including minimal or delayed speech; repetitive and restricted behavior, including being very fascinated with some specific interests; and social interaction, including nonverbal behaviors that are impaired.

Some of these symptoms are very similar to other neurodevelopmental disorders that fall under the ASD spectrum.

What are the Causes of CDD?

To this point, there has been no definitive research to suggest a single cause of CDD, or even ASD. That being said, it is believed that some environmental and genetic factors may play a role in someone developing childhood disintegrative disorder.

There are also some links between CDD and some other diseases. This is especially true if the symptoms of CDD begin later on in childhood.

This includes …

  • Lipid storage diseases: These are metabolic disorders that are inherited and can cause a harmful amount of lipids to accumulate within tissues and cells.
  • Leukodystrophy: White matter in the brain can end up disintegrating because of this genetic disease. That type of matter is important because it connects the parts of the brain together.
  • Tuberous sclerosis complex: This genetic disorder is rare and can cause noncancerous brain tumors to grow. The tumors may also grow on other organs, eyes, nerves and the spinal cord.
  • Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: This neurological disorder is progressive and affects the body’s central nervous system. It’s caused by a viral infection that’s related to measles.

How is CDD Treated?

CDD is treated in many of the same ways that ASD is. The leading treatment is ABA therapy.

This science- and evidence-based approach to learning and behavior helps children acquire the social, communication and daily life skills they often struggle with. It uses positive reinforcement to teach skills on a step-by-step basis, which through repetition helps children learn these skills.

ABA therapy is administered on a one-on-one basis, and is very flexible and personalized to each individual patient. It also integrates family members, caregivers and others so that the skills learned during sessions can be emphasized when sessions are over.

Blue Gems ABA Helps Treat Children with Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

Childhood disintegrative disorder is a very rare neurodevelopmental disorder that’s related in many ways to autism and other disorders on the autism spectrum. That’s why it’s treated in much the same way, with ABA therapy.

At Blue Gems ABA, we have a team of experienced BCBAs who administer ABA therapy on a one-to-one basis with children who are diagnosed with CDD. In this way, we help them gain the skills they need to live a happy and fulfilling life.

To learn more, please contact us today.

Read More About CDD

  1. https://bluegemsaba.com/lipid-storage-diseases-and-cdd/
  2. https://bluegemsaba.com/leukodystrophy-and-cdd/
  3. https://bluegemsaba.com/tuberous-sclerosis-complex-and-cdd/
  4. https://bluegemsaba.com/subacute-sclerosing-panencephalitis-and-cdd/

References

  1. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/
  2. https://bluegemsaba.com/are-autism-rates-rising/
  3. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/