Childhood Disintegrative Disorder is one of the rarer conditions within the Autistic Spectrum. Though similar to Autism, this disorder is commonly more prevalent later in childhood and tends to emerge in children who were otherwise "normally" functioning (Westphal, 2010).
Essentially, before the onset of the disorder, a child will tend to have proper functioning in language, toilet training, and physical movement appropriate to his or her age. After the onset of the disorder however, the child's ability to perform these actions seems to diminish or dissapear entirely (Westphal, 2010). Due to the fact that after the onset of the disorder, a child will highly resemble an individual with Autism, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder is often mis-diagnosed.
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While the exact causes of Childhood Disintegrative Disorder are unknown, it has been suggested through some research, that the disorder occurs as a result of dysfunction in an individual's central nervous system. In addition, research has also shown that the disorder tends to be more prevalent in boys than in girls (Westphal, 2010).
As professionals, it is important to work with both the child and the family, helping the child to re-learn tasks that have been affected by the disorder. Instead of moving forward with newer tasks (as one would do normally with a child), in these instances it is essential to re-train the child in the various skills that have diminished.
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