A developmental disorder of childhood characterized by normal development for at least the first 2 years of life followed by loss of previously acquired skills in two or more of the following: expressive or receptive language, social skills or adaptive behavior, bowel or bladder control, play, and motor skills. In addition, there is gross impairment in social interaction and communication, and restricted patterns of behavior, interest, and activities, all similar to manifestations described in autistic disorder.
Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD) is classified as a pervasive developmental disorder and is characterized by at least two years of normal early development followed by profound loss of previously acquired skills in the areas of cognition, communication, motor control, and bowel and bladder control. Once established, behaviors manifested as a result of CDD are indistinguishable from those of autism. Previously, CDD has been referred to as Heller’s syndrome, dementia infantilis, and disintegrative psychosis.