1. Look for Early Onset of Rett Syndrome in Infants
Rett Syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects females exclusively, can be difficult to identify in its earliest stages. The first stage, called Stage I or "early onset," usually occurs when your child is between six and 18 months of age. The child usually shows little interest in games or toys and may be reluctant to initiate eye contact with you or others. Developmental skills, such as sitting and crawling, may occur later than usual. This stage usually lasts for around a year.
2. Be Aware of the Rapid Destruction Stage
Stage II of Rett Syndrome, known as "rapid destruction," usually begins when your child is between one and four and can last a few weeks or months. Language and motor skills can be suddenly "lost" during this period, and the repetitive hand movements that characterize this disorder in its later stages will emerge. These movements may include hand wringing, repetitive clapping, tapping of the fingers and moving the hands toward the mouth continually.
3. Identify the Plateau Stage
Stage III of Rett is known as the plateau stage and can continue for many years. This stage, during which the rapid deterioration of motor skills seen in Stage II may slow or even halt completely, is common with girls aged two to 10. Your child may begin to experience seizures during this period. In this phase, however, many of the symptoms that resemble autism may actually be reduced, and an improvement in the overall condition may be noticeable. Many girls actually remain in Stage III for the rest of their lives.
4. Note Reduced Mobility During the Late Motor-Deterioration Stage
The fourth stage of Rett Syndrome, which may not affect all sufferers, is known as the late motor-deterioration stage and can last for the rest of your child's life. During this stage, muscle weakness, rigidity and spasms are common. A curvature of the spine, known commonly as scoliosis, may accompany more advanced cases, and walking and general mobility may become severely limited. Fortunately, cognitive skills do not degenerate during this period, and communication with your child may actually improve.
