Rett's Disorder

Autistic Disorder	Asperger's Disorder
Rett's Disorder	Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
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Rett's Disorder is almost exclusively observed in females, and is a progressive neurological disorder that is characterized by constant handwringing, increasingly severe mental retardation, and impaired motor skills. These symptoms appear after an apparently normal start in development. Some researchers believe it is caused by an abnormality of the X chromosome.

Diagnostic Criteria for Rett's Disorder:

A. All of the following:

(1) apparently normal prenatal and perinatal development
(2) apparently normal psychomotor development through the first 5 months after birth
(3) normal head circumference at birth

B. Onset of all of the following after the period of normal development:

(1) deceleration of head growth between ages 5 and 48 months
(2) loss of previously acquired purposeful hand skills between ages 5 and 30 months with the subsequent development of stereotyped hand movements (e.g., hand-wringing or hand washing)
(3) loss of social engagement early in the course (although often social interaction develops later)
(4) appearance of poorly coordinated gait or trunk movements
(5) severely impaired expressive and receptive language development with severe psychomotor retardation

Personal Stories of Rett's Disorder:

If you would like to share your personal story of living with or raising a child with rett's disorder, please submit it here.

Educating Children With Autism

Do-Watch-Listen-Say: Social and Communication Intervention for Children With Autism

Biological Treatments for Autism and PDD

Children With Starving Brains: A Medical Treatment Guide for Autism Spectrum Disorder, Second Edition