Possible Rett's Disorder

You said you were very concerned that your child has 2 or more of the following problems:

• Has an odd way of dealing with other children which leads to problems making or keeping friends
• Speech is strange or unclear
• Unable to use words as well as other kids' his/her age to communicate
• Does the same movement over and over
• Makes sounds or words without purpose
• Needs to have things done or said in exactly the same way over and over

You also said that your child has become worse at doing some things s/he used to be able to do well. One or more of these problems started when your child was between 5 months and 2 1/2 years old. Your child has probably lost some of his/her skills in several of the following areas:

• Understanding what others tell him/her to do
• Talking
• Using hands to play or eat
• Relating to other people

Some children who have these types of problems have something called Rett's Disorder. The things you reported suggest that your child may have this problem. This type of problem is very rare. Your child's doctor will check your child's head growth and some other things to be sure that your child has this problem.

Rett's Disorder is only found in girls. Children with this problem often continue to lose more skills as they get older.

American Academy of Pediatrics (1996). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Primary Care. Elk Grove Village, Illinois: Author.

American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.