This book examines childhood disintegrative disorder, which is seen to be a disorder apart from autism although it has sometimes been called "late onset autism". The condition is characterized by sudden onset and severe developmental regression between 3 and 5 years of age after previously normal development. The long-term outcome is usually substantially worse than in autism. No neurological or other medical condition causing the disorder has been identified. The book presents case histories through stories of individual children and their families. Chapters are: (1) "Per's Pages (Kjell Berg); (2) "Pickle" (Sheila Brown); (3) "Searching for the Blue Fairy: Thomas's Tale" (Madeline Catalano); (4) "Coming Home" (Marie Day); (5) "Diary of David" (Jenny Fairthorne); (6) "Laura's Story" (Sue and Stephen Ferris); (7) "Looking for Answers: Chronicles of an Autistic Child" (Candice Goldstein); and (8) "The River Jordan" (Craig Schulze). (DB)