Which disorder is the PDD involving severe regression in language, adaptive behavior, and motor skills after a 2- to 4-year period of normal development?

Which disorder is the PDD involving severe regression in language, adaptive behavior, and motor skills after a 2- to 4-year period of normal development?

• A. Asperger Disorder
• B. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
• C. Pervasive Developmental Disorder
• D. Autistic Disorder

Answer: (B)

The main idea is a regressive developmental pattern after a period of typical functioning across multiple areas. In this disorder, the child seems to develop normally for about 2 to 4 years and then experiences a substantial loss of previously acquired skills in language, social/adaptive behavior, and motor skills. That late, multi-domain regression is the hallmark and is what makes this profile distinctive. This differs from Asperger Disorder, where language and cognitive development are typically not delayed or regressing after a normal early period, so there isn’t a substantial loss of skills after years of normal development. It also differs from a broader PDD category that doesn’t specify a clear regressive pattern. And it differs from Autistic Disorder, which usually presents with developmental challenges before age 3 rather than a notable decline after a period of normal development. In older classifications, this late-onset, multi-domain regression is characteristic of Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.

The main idea is a regressive developmental pattern after a period of typical functioning across multiple areas. In this disorder, the child seems to develop normally for about 2 to 4 years and then experiences a substantial loss of previously acquired skills in language, social/adaptive behavior, and motor skills. That late, multi-domain regression is the hallmark and is what makes this profile distinctive.

This differs from Asperger Disorder, where language and cognitive development are typically not delayed or regressing after a normal early period, so there isn’t a substantial loss of skills after years of normal development. It also differs from a broader PDD category that doesn’t specify a clear regressive pattern. And it differs from Autistic Disorder, which usually presents with developmental challenges before age 3 rather than a notable decline after a period of normal development. In older classifications, this late-onset, multi-domain regression is characteristic of Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.