What is Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD) and Diagnostic Criteria?

Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD – a.k.a. Heller’s syndrome, disintegrative psychosis, dementia infntilis) is a rare condition with only one case in 100,000 children. 



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Can Thumb Sucking Impact Speech Development? What Every Parent Needs to Know

  Thumb sucking or pacifier use is a common source of comfort for infants and toddlers. For many parents, it seems harmless—especially if the habit fades before permanent teeth erupt. But recent research suggests this behavior may have more long-term consequences than we once thought. A joint study conducted in the U.S. and Chile revealed that children who sucked their thumbs or used pacifiers beyond three years of age were three times more likely to develop speech impediments. That’s a wake-up call for parents, pediatricians, and therapists alike. Let’s break down the potential effects of prolonged thumb sucking into three key areas: language development, speech articulation, and oral structure. 1. Language Development: The Foundation of Communication Language development begins with early vocal play—those coos, babbles, and playful sounds babies make while staring at mobiles or interacting with caregivers. These vocal explorations are critical building blocks for meaningful commu...
Read more

Parent’s Guide to Childhood Apraxia of Speec

Image
  Hearing that your child may have Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) can feel overwhelming at first—but you’re not alone. Understanding what CAS is, how to recognize it, and what you can do to help your child is the first step toward progress and confidence. Let’s walk through what every parent should know. 👇 What Is Apraxia of Speech? When children learn to speak, their brain develops a “muscle plan” that tells the mouth, jaw, and tongue how to move to make sounds. In children with apraxia, the brain knows what it wants to say, but the message gets scrambled on the way to the muscles. Unlike other speech disorders, it’s not about weak muscles—it’s about confused coordination. Children with apraxia may: Mispronounce sounds or syllables Leave gaps between syllables (e.g., “ba...nana” instead of “banana”) Say similar-sounding words incorrectly (like “batch” instead of “patch”) But remember: Every child’s experience is different, and CAS can sometimes look like other speech or langu...
Read more

Advances in Hearing Loss Therapy: Technology, Treatment, and Communication

Image
  Children with hearing loss are making remarkable strides in oral communication thanks to early diagnosis and technological advancements. Today, even those with severe hearing impairments can learn to speak, develop oral language skills, and attend mainstream schools. With the right support, including hearing aids, cochlear implants, and speech therapy, children can achieve significant progress in their communication abilities. Types of Hearing Loss Hearing loss generally falls into two main categories: conductive and sensorineural . Conductive hearing loss occurs when the outer or middle ear fails to function properly, blocking sound from reaching the inner ear for processing. This condition is often caused by ear infections or fluid buildup in the middle ear and is frequently treatable with medication or surgery. Sensorineural hearing loss, on the other hand, results from damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve. This is the most common type of hearing loss and cannot be surgi...
Read more