Multisystem developmental disorder

Multisystem developmental disorder (MSDD) is a term used by Stanley Greenspan to describe children under age 3 who exhibit signs of impaired communication as in autism, but with strong emotional attachments atypical of autism. It is described in the DC:0-3R manual as an optional diagnosis for children under two years of age.^[1][2]

Other uses of the term

The term multisystem developmental disorder has also been used to describe various developmental disorders. These include:

• Alagille syndrome,^[3] an autosomal dominant disorder with a wide range of features and manifestations. Its five most significant features are chronic cholestasis, a condition where bile cannot flow from the liver to the duodenum, occurring in 95% of cases; heart abnormalities (over 90%); butterfly vertebrae; posterior embryotoxon and a distinctive face (prominent forehead, deep-set eyes, and a pointed chin).^[4]
• Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome,^[5] a mental retardation syndrome characterized by broad thumbs, facial abnormalities, and big toes alongside mental retardation.^[6]
• Williams syndrome,^[7][8] a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a unique profile of strengths and deficits; most with the condition have mild mental retardation but have grammatical and lexical abilities above what would be expected from their IQs.^[9] They are hypersocial and empathetic, but social isolation is commonly experienced.^[10]
• Proteus syndrome,^[11] a congenital disorder causing disproportionate growth of skin, bone, and other tissues.^[12]
• Asphyxiating thoracic dysplasia,^[13] a autosomal recessive skeletal disorder with an estimated prevalence of between 1 in 100,000 and 1 in 130,000 live births.^[14]

Symptoms

• Toe walking^[15]
• Pragmatic speech problems^[15]
• Clumsiness^[15]
• Obsessions and rituals^[15]
• Sensory issues^[15]
• Disinterest in social interaction^[15]
• Autistic characteristics^[15]

References

Further reading

• Scheeringa, MS (2001). "The differential diagnosis of impaired reciprocal social interaction in children: A review of disorders". Child Psychiatry and Human Development 32 (1): 71–89. doi:10.1023/A:1017511714145. PMID 11579660. 
• Increasing Interaction with Children with Multisystem Developmental Disorder (MSDD), Developmental Delay Resources
• Wieder, S (1996). "Integrated treatment approaches for young children with multisystem developmental disorder". Infants & Young Children 8 (3): 24–34. doi:10.1097/00001163-199601000-00005.