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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 very important in behavior therapy.
The outcome for children with childhood disintegrative disorder is usually very poor, worse than for children with autism. The loss of language, cognitive, social and self-care skills tends to be severe and permanently disabling. As a result, children with the disorder may eventually need residential care in a group home or long term care facility.
