The Use of the Term Multiple Complex Developmental Disorder in a Diagnostic Clinic Serving Young Children With Developmental Disabilities: A Report of 15 Cases

psychopathology and somehow fit the clinical picture into an existing diagnostic category. The consternation comes from knowing that the clinical picture presented by many of these children does not fit neatly into any existing diagnostic category, with the result that one must either choose the “best fit,” knowing that the fit is poor, or use a “wastebasket” (poorly defined) diagnostic category whose name does not convey much about the specific clinical picture with which the child presents. In the past, the less clearly defined diagnoses have included: “borderline”; “schizoid”; “atypical pervasive developmental 7,11 19