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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffThere's no cure for childhood disintegrative disorder. Treatment for the disorder is basically the same as for autism. Treatment options may include:
- Medications. There are no medications that directly treat childhood disintegrative disorder. However, severe behavior problems, such as aggression and repetitive movements, may sometimes be controlled by medications for anxiety or depression, or antipsychotic medications. Anticonvulsant drugs may help control epileptic seizures.
- Behavior therapy. This therapy technique may be used by psychologists, speech therapists, physical therapists and occupational therapists as well as parents, teachers and caregivers. Behavior therapy programs may be designed to help your child learn or relearn language, social and self-care skills. These programs use a system of rewards to reinforce desirable behaviors and discourage problem behavior. A consistent approach among all health care team members, caregivers and teachers is important in behavior therapy.
The outcome for children with childhood disintegrative disorder is usually worse than for children with autism. The loss of language, cognitive, social and self-care skills tends to be severe and unlikely to improve. Children with the disorder generally need lifelong support with the activities of daily living, and may eventually need residential care in a group home or long term care facility.
- Childhood disintegrative disorder. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Pervasive developmental disorders. In: Hales RE, et al., eds. The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychiatry. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2008. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Childhood disintegrative disorder. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/203193401-3/1005176842/1608/73.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50031-1--cesec12_466 Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Pervasive developmental disorders. In: Stern TA, et al. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/203193401-5/1005177285/1657/637.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04743-2..50071-8--cesec46_1911. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Augustyn M. Terminology, epidemiology, and pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Autism spectrum disorders (pervasive developmental disorders). National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/autism/complete-index.shtml. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Augustyn M. Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 18, 2010.
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