childhood disintegrative disorder

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder is a rare neurologic condition generally classified in the Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD's) This condition is characterized by normal development up to 2 to 4 years of age. Then there is a severe deterioration of mental and social functioning, with regression to a state suggestive of autism. While there must be an underlying neurologic cause, none has been identified as yet, and there is no cure. The disease is also known as Heller Dementia.