Developmental regression is when a child who has reached a certain developmental stage begins to lose previously acquired milestones. It differs from developmental delay in that a child experiencing developmental delay is either not reaching developmental milestones or not progressing to new developmental milestones, while a child experiencing developmental regression will lose milestones and skills after acquiring them. Developmental regression is associated with diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett syndrome, Landau-Kleffner syndrome, and neuro-degenerative diseases. The loss of motor, language, and social skills can be treated with occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy. Associated Diagnoses
Developmental regression is typically a symptom of neurological disorder. Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder in which a childs communication and social skills are affected. Children with autism spectrum disorder can experience a loss of their previously acquired language and social skills. This is often reported by the childs parents. Children can experience loss of vocabulary and language understanding, as well as no longer make eye contact or play social and imitative games when they previously had. They can also experience a loss of motor and basic skills like toileting or feeding themselves. In autism spectrum disorder, this regression occurs in the first few years of development. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD) is a developmental disorder in which children experience a regression of social language, and motor functioning skills. CDD was merged with autism spectrum disorder in the DSM-V in 2013.
Speech therapists will help a child restore as much of their lost language skills as possible, and help a child learn to communicate, potentially with the use of communication aids.Social skills training can be used to treat a regression of social skills. Children who receive social skills training are taught age-appropriate social skills like problem solving and peer interaction skills.For regression related to seizures, medication can be used to treat the seizures. See also
Developmental disorder


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