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.
