Childhood disintegrative disorder, an extremely rare disorder, is an obvious regression in multiple areas of functioning, following a period of at least 2 years of apparent normal development.

Girl in red standing near a brown door looking away
A child with this disorder loses communication skills, regresses in non-verbal behaviors and loses other previously acquired skills like the ability to move, bladder and bowel control and social and language skills.

Childhood disintegrative disorder can only be diagnosed if the symptoms are preceded by at least 2 years of normal development and the regression starts before the child’s 10th birthday.

Signs of CDD

  • Loss of social skills
  • Loss of bowel and bladder control
  • Loss of expressive or receptive language
  • Loss of motor skills
  • Lack of play
  • Failure to develop peer relationships
  • Impairment in non-verbal behaviors
  • Delay or lack of spoken language
  • Inability to initiate or sustain a conversation