Pervasive disorder, also known as childhood disintegrative disorder or Heller’s syndrome is a condition wherein children grow normally until had reached the age of 2 to 4, but followed by significant loss of communication, social and other skills.  Pervasive disorder is extremely similar to autism.  They are both classified as pervasive developmental disorders or autism spectrum disorders with normal development but then demonstrate an extreme loss of language, social, play and motor abilities.  But pervasive disorder normally happens later than autism and has a greater extent loss of skills.  One thing more, autism is more common then pervasive disorder.

Combination of medications, behavior therapy and other medical approach are being used in treating pervasive disorder.

What are the symptoms of pervasive disorder?

The following are the normally signs and symptoms of pervasive disorder.

• Child with pervasive disorder has inability to express feelings and have a conversation
• Have trouble in relating to and interacting with others
• Loss of involvedness in imaginary play and in any sort of activities and games
• Dramatic decline in capability to climb, walk, take hold of objects and other movements
• Inability to control bladder or bowel movement even though the child was beforehand toilet-trained

Loss of developmental sign could happen unexpectedly over the course of instruction of days to weeks or slowly over an extended period of time.

 

What are the causes of pervasive disorder?

The real causes of pervasive disorder are not yet known.  But, the genes have likely to do with it.  A medical study revealed that an abnormal gene is switched on in the premature stages of development, prior to birth affecting the other genes that coordinate the brain development of a child.  Infection or exposure to toxin may also have a say to these effects.  Autoimmune response could possibly have an effect in the development of pervasive disorder.

 

Pervasive disorder frequently arises all along with the following conditions.

 

• Tuberous sclerosis, wherein a benign tumors develop in the brain.
• Lipid storage disorder, wherein a toxic lipids or fats arises in the brain and nervous system.
• Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a persistent infection of the brain caused by a form of the measles virus causing the brain inflammation and death of the nerve cells.

 

What are the treatments for pervasive disorder?

There is no really cure for pervasive disorder.  The treatment may only help to control the symptoms of pervasive disorder.  The following are the preferences for pervasive disorder treatment.

1.     Medication treatment.

Medications for depression or anxiety and antipsychotic medications may help to control severe behavioral problems like violent behavior and repetitive actions.  There are still no medications that can directly treat pervasive disorder but these medications intended for anxiety may be helpful as well as the anticonvulsant medications to help manage the epileptic attack.

 

 

 

2.     Behavior therapy.

Behavior therapy provides programs designed to help the child with pervasive disorder to learn or relearn language, interact with other people and self-care abilities.  These programs make use a system of rewards to support desirable or pleasing actions and put off problem behavior.  Behavior therapy may possibly be used by speech therapists, psychologists, physical therapists and occupational therapists also the parents of a child with pervasive disorder, teachers and caregivers.  A regular approach along with all the health care team members, teachers and caregivers is important in making use of behavior therapy as a pervasive disorder treatment.

 

 

3.     Support groups.

There are support groups available in various communities that can provide emotional support and give encouragement for the parents and families with children with pervasive disorder.

 

 

 

 

4.     Medical experts.

Finding a trusted knowledgeable team of medical experts can help you to lead you a decisive actions concerning to your child’s condition.  They can also give you awareness of the latest treatments or medications that can provide your child the greatest available treatments.

 

 

 

 

 

The effect for children with pervasive disorder is typically worse than children with autism.  The loss of verbal communication, cognitive, social and self-care tips have a tendency to be severe and improbable to get better.  Children with pervasive disorder commonly require of a lifetime support with the activities of an everyday living with the families and people surrounding them.  It can be a full-time stressful job in taking care of a child with pervasive disorder.  So, it is advisable to take also time for yourself and other family members to relax to prevent caregiver exhaustion.

 

All of these pervasive disorder treatments may be helpful in taking care and handling a child with pervasive disorder.  Do not hesitate to ask your doctor if your child demonstrate symptoms that bother you.