Autism-World

• After appearing to make normal progress, a period of stagnation in development from about the end of the first year, which lasts until regression occurs.
• Loss of purposeful hand movements, such as grasping with fingers, reaching for things, or touching things on purpose.
• Balance and coordination problems, including losing the ability to walk in many cases
• ??A regression period when skills in speech and hand movement are reduced, which occurs between about nine and 30 months
• Breathing problems, such as hyperventilation and breath holding, or apnea when awake
• Appearance of stiff or clumsy posture or gait
• ??A normal head circumference at birth but a slowing of head growth between two months and four years approximately
• ??Absence of other disease, syndrome or injury to account for the above features
• Anxiety and social-behavioral problems

There are a number of other problems common among those who have Rett syndrome.?? But having these problems is not necessary to get a diagnosis of Rett syndrome.?? These problems can include:

• Seizures
• Constipation and gastro-esophageal reflux
• Problems feeding themselves, trouble swallowing and chewing
• Cardiac or heart problems, specifically problems with the rhythm of their heartbeat
• Scoliosis, a curving of the spine that occurs in approximately 80 percent of girls with Rett syndrome
• Problems with sleep, specifically disrupted sleep patterns at night and an increase in total and daytime sleep.

This entry was posted on Friday, March 23rd, 2007 at 12:46 pm and is filed under Rett Syndrome.