Heller syndrome, also known as second childhood disintegration disorder, is a degenerative brain disease; in this syndrome, the child has a normal motor and intellectual development until age 3 (sometimes older) and, after a while, begins to lose all previously acquired skills, starting to have behavior similar to that of autism.
The regression phase lasts from 4 to 8 weeks, where the main symptoms are difficulty using familiar words, loss of autonomy, loss of intestinal control, loss of interest in the social activities you were performing, isolation, loss of motor skills, such as performing and holding objects.
- The motor regression phase is the most difficult.
- The child usually shows signs of confusion and agitation.
- After this phase.
- He develops behaviors similar to those of autism: he avoids eye contact.
- Does not like to be embraced.
- Kissed or touched.
- And seems to live in his own world.
The diagnosis of Heller syndrome is made by observing symptoms and treatment multimodally, which includes drugs that reduce secondary symptoms of the disease, such as sleep disorders, social therapies and physiotherapy, these remedies also help to attempt the reintegration of the child into the social environment and improve their motor development.