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Autism spectrum disorder - childhood disintegrative disorder

Definition

Childhood disintegrative disorder is a condition in which children develop normally through about age 3. Then, over a few months, they lose language, motor, social, and other skills that they already learned.

Childhood disintegrative disorder is a part of the larger developmental disorder category of autism spectrum disorder.

Patient Education Video: Autism spectrum disorders

Alternative Names


Causes


Exams and Tests


Treatment


Outlook (Prognosis)


When to Contact a Medical Professional


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Motormental disability
Motormental disability in children is generally related to significant central nervous system damage or abnormality. It refers both to lack of intellectual development and motor development. There can be various degrees of intellectual disability, and failure to meet various normal developmental milestones.

References

Bridgemohan CF. Autism spectrum disorder. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 54.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Autism spectrum disorder, family health history and genetics. www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/autism.htm. Updated May 18, 2022. Accessed June 26, 2023.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. What is autism spectrum disorder? www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html. Updated December 9, 2022. Accessed June 26, 2023.

Chaves-Gnecco D, Feldman HM. Developmental/behavioral pediatrics. In: Zitelli BJ, McIntire SC, Nowalk AJ, Garrison J, eds. Zitelli and Davis' Atlas of Pediatric Physical Diagnosis. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 3.

Sidhu R, O'Banion D, Hall C. Autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 90.

Last reviewed April 28, 2023 by Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team..

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