Developmental regression

**Developmental regression** happens when a child who has reached certain developmental milestones begins to lose previously acquired milestones. It is different from global developmental delay. A child is developmentally delayed when they do not reach developmental milestones expected for their age or stop meeting new developmental milestones. On the other hand, a child experiencing developmental regression will lose skills that they previously had. Developmental regression is associated with developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett syndrome, Landau-Kleffner syndrome, and neurodegenerative diseases. The loss of motor skills, language abilities, and social skills can be treated with occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy.

## Commonly associated diagnoses

Developmental regression is typically a symptom of a  neurological disorder or a neurodevelopmental disorder.

### Autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder that affects a child's communication skills and social. Children with autism spectrum disorder can experience a loss of their previously acquired language abilities and social skills. This is often noticed by the child's parents. Children can lose their vocabulary, have more trouble understanding language, lose their ability to make eye contact, or lose their ability to play social games that they used to be able to play. They can also experience a loss of motor skills and basic skills like using the toilet or feeding themselves. In autism spectrum disorder, this regression usually occurs within the child's first few years of life.

### Childhood disintegrative disorder

Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD) is a developmental disorder where children experience a regression of social skills, language abilities, and motor skills. CDD was merged with autism spectrum disorder in the DSM-5 in 2013. Children with CDD can lose their ability to express or understand language, interact with other people, take care of themselves, play with others, or control and coordinate their body. For children with CDD, regression commonly occurs when the around 3 or 4 years old. It happens when the child is between the ages of 2 and 10.

### Rett syndrome

Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a genetic mutation. It occurs almost exclusively in girls. Children with Rett syndrome lose their ability to properly control their hands, and can also lose some of their language abilities. Children with Rett syndrome can also lose their social skills and show autism-like symptoms. The regression typically occurs when the child is between the ages of 1 and 4 years old.

### Landau-Kleffner syndrome

Landau-Kleffner syndrome (LKS) is a form of epilepsy associated with a loss of language skills. When someone develops LKS, they lose their ability to understand spoken language and verbally express themselves. People usually develop LKS between the ages of 2 and 8 years old.

### Neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Batten disease, can can cause a child to lose motor, language, and speech skills they previously had.

## Signs and symptoms

Children with developmental regression lose developmental milestones they have previously gained. These can be motor, social, or language skills. Children with regression of their motor skills may lose their ability to walk, feed themselves, use their hands to do a task, bathe themselves, or dress themselves. Children with regression of their social skills may lose their ability or desire to play or make eye contact. Children with regression of their language skills may lose their ability to understand other people speaking or communicate themselves.

## Diagnosis

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that most children receive a developmental screening at doctor's appointments when they are 9 months old, 18 months old, and 30 months old. Physicians also screen children for autism spectrum disorder at their 18 month and 2 year appointments. If the screening indicates that the child may have a problem, the physician may recommend that the child have their developmental skills evaluated to identify what they struggle with and what they need help with. Parents may also monitor their children and tell their doctor if their child has lost previously-reached developmental milestones.

## Treatment

When a child loses motor skills, doctors can use occupational and physical therapy to help them regain skills. Occupational therapy can help children regain some of their lost fine motor skills. An occupational therapist can help a child improve their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination so they can complete basic life tasks like bathing or feeding themselves, and precise physical tasks like writing. Physical therapy can be used to treat regression of gross motor skills. Physical therapists can help a child with skills like walking or mobility issues.

Speech therapy is often used for treatment of regression of language skills. Speech therapists will help a child restore as much of their lost language skills as possible. They also can help a child learn to communicate, possibly with the use of communication aids.

Social skills training can be used to treat regression of social skills. Children who receive social skills training are taught age-appropriate social skills, such as problem-solving and peer interaction skills.

When a child's developmental regression is related to or caused by seizures, medication can be used to treat the seizures.

## See also

- Developmental disability