Autistic Disorder symptoms:
(Rating scale is homemade where 1 is least in intensity/severity and 5 is greatest. Symptom information comes from http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx65.htm). Please see a health care professional for official diagnosis, but don't be afraid to use this chart as a reference. Please circle the level appropriate for your child. If you have more than one child, then use multiple charts to avoid confusion.
Autistic Disorder - A total of six (or more) items from (a), (b), and (c), with at least two from (a), and one each from (b) and (c):
A) Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the
following:
manifested by at least one of the following:
1) Encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns
of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus. 1-2-3-4-5
2) Apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals.
1-2-3-4-5
3) Stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or
twisting, or complex whole-body movements). 1-2-3-4-5
4) Persistent preoccupation with parts of objects. 1-2-3-4-5
Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with onset prior to age 3 years: (1) social interaction, (2) language as used in social communication, or (3) symbolic or imaginative play.
The disturbance is not better accounted for by Rett's Disorder or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.
Criteria summarized from: American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association.
Asperger Syndrome symptoms:
(Rating scale is homemade where 1 is least in intensity/severity and 5 is greatest. Symptom information comes from http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/tc/aspergers-syndrome-symptoms). Please see a health care professional for official diagnosis, but don't be afraid to take this chart with you as reference. Please circle the level appropriate for your child. If you have more than one child, then use multiple charts to avoid confusion.
Although there are many possible symptoms of Asperger's syndrome,the main symptom is significant rouble with social situations. Your child may have mild to severe symptoms or have a few or many of these symptoms. Because of the wide variety of symptoms, no two children with Asperger's are alike.
Symptoms during childhood
Parents often first notice the symptoms of Asperger's syndrome when their child starts preschool and begins to interact with other children. Children with Asperger's syndrome may:
A child with one or two of these symptoms does not necessarily have Asperger's syndrome. To be diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a child must have a combination of these symptoms and significant trouble with social situations.
Although the condition is in some ways similar to autism, a child with Asperger's syndrome typically has normal language and intellectual development. Also, those with Asperger's syndrome typically make more of an effort than those with autism to make friends and engage in activities with others.
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
(Rating scale is homemade where 1 is least in intensity/severity and 5 is greatest. Symptom information comes from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/childhood-disintegrative-disorder/ds00801/dsection=symptoms). Please see a health care professional for official diagnosis, but don't be afraid to take this chart with you as reference. Please circle the level appropriate for your child. If you have more than one child, then use multiple charts to avoid confusion.
Children with childhood disintegrative disorder typically show the following signs and symptoms:
Dramatic loss of previously acquired skills in two or more of the following areas:
1) Language, including a severe decline in the ability to speak and have a conversation.
1-2-3-4-5
2) Social skills, including significant difficulty relating to and interacting with others.
1-2-3-4-5
3) Play, including a loss of interest in imaginary play and in a variety of games and
activities. 1-2-3-4-5
4) Motor skills, including a dramatic decline in the ability to walk, climb, grasp objects and
other movements. 1-2-3-4-5
5) Bowel or bladder control, including frequent accidents in a child who was previously
toilet-trained. 1-2-3-4-5
Loss of developmental milestones may occur abruptly over the course of days to weeks or gradually over an extended periods of time.
When to see a doctor
Children typically develop at their own pace, but any loss of development milestones is cause for concern. If your child has suddenly lost previously acquired language, social, motor, play, thinking (cognitive) or self-help skills (such as toilet training and feeding) contact your doctor. In addition, if you suspect that your child has gradually shown a loss in any area of development, talk to your doctor.
Rett Syndrome symptoms:
(Rating scale is homemade where 1 is least in intensity/severity and 5 is greatest. Symptom information comes from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rett-syndrome/ds00716/dsection=symptoms). Please see a health care professional for official diagnosis, but don't be afraid to take this chart with you as reference. Please circle the level appropriate for your child. If you have more than one child, then use multiple charts to avoid confusion.
Babies with Rett syndrome are generally born after a normal pregnancy and delivery. Most grow and behave normally for the first six months. After that, signs and symptoms start to appear. The most pronounced changes generally occur at 12 to 18 months of age and occur over a period of weeks or months.
Rett syndrome symptoms include:
Stages of Rett syndrome:
Stage I. Signs and symptoms are subtle and easily overlooked during the first stage, which starts between 6 and 18 months of age. Babies in this stage may show less eye contact and start to lose interest in toys. They may also have delays in sitting or crawling.
Stage II. Starting between 1 and 4 years of age children with Rett syndrome gradually lose the ability to speak and to use their hands purposefully. Repetitive, purposeless hand movements begin during this stage. Some children with Rett syndrome hold their breath or hyperventilate and may scream or cry for no apparent reason. It's often difficult for them to move on their own.
Stage III. The third stage is a plateau that usually begins between the ages of 2 and 10 years and can last for years. Although problems with movement continue, behavior may improve. Children in this stage often cry less and become less irritable. Increased eye contact and using the eyes and hand as to communicate generally improve during this stage. Many people with Rett syndrome remain in stage III for the rest of their lives.
Stage IV. The last stage is marked by reduced mobility, muscle weakness and scoliosis. Understanding, communication and hand skills generally don't decline further during this stage. In fact, repetitive hand movements may decrease. Although sudden death can occur, most people with Rett syndrome live into their 40s or 50s. They usually need care and assistance throughout their lives.
When to see a doctor
Signs of Rett syndrome can be subtle in the early stages. See your child's doctor right away if you begin to notice physical problems or changes in behavior such as:
A) Slowed growth of your child's head or other parts of her or his body
B) Decreased coordination or mobility
C) Decreasing eye contact or loss of interest in normal play
Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)
This one has not yet been mapped out. Symptoms and conditions in this category may vary widely. Seek professional medical attention if you have any questions or concerns.
This list of Autism Spectrum Disorder categories and their symptoms were taken from https://www.firstsigns.org/delays_disorders/asd.htm
(Rating scale is homemade where 1 is least in intensity/severity and 5 is greatest. Symptom information comes from http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx65.htm). Please see a health care professional for official diagnosis, but don't be afraid to use this chart as a reference. Please circle the level appropriate for your child. If you have more than one child, then use multiple charts to avoid confusion.
Autistic Disorder - A total of six (or more) items from (a), (b), and (c), with at least two from (a), and one each from (b) and (c):
A) Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the
following:
- Marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction. 1-2-3-4-5
- Failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level. 1-2-3-4-5
- A lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest). 1-2-3-4-5
- Lack of social or emotional reciprocity. 1-2-3-4-5
- Delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language (not accompanied by an attempt to compensate through alternative modes of communication such as gesture or mime). 1-2-3-4-5
- In individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others. 1-2-3-4-5
- Lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative play appropriate to developmental level. 1-2-3-4-5
manifested by at least one of the following:
1) Encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns
of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus. 1-2-3-4-5
2) Apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals.
1-2-3-4-5
3) Stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or
twisting, or complex whole-body movements). 1-2-3-4-5
4) Persistent preoccupation with parts of objects. 1-2-3-4-5
Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with onset prior to age 3 years: (1) social interaction, (2) language as used in social communication, or (3) symbolic or imaginative play.
The disturbance is not better accounted for by Rett's Disorder or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.
Criteria summarized from: American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association.
Asperger Syndrome symptoms:
(Rating scale is homemade where 1 is least in intensity/severity and 5 is greatest. Symptom information comes from http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/tc/aspergers-syndrome-symptoms). Please see a health care professional for official diagnosis, but don't be afraid to take this chart with you as reference. Please circle the level appropriate for your child. If you have more than one child, then use multiple charts to avoid confusion.
Although there are many possible symptoms of Asperger's syndrome,the main symptom is significant rouble with social situations. Your child may have mild to severe symptoms or have a few or many of these symptoms. Because of the wide variety of symptoms, no two children with Asperger's are alike.
Symptoms during childhood
Parents often first notice the symptoms of Asperger's syndrome when their child starts preschool and begins to interact with other children. Children with Asperger's syndrome may:
- Not pick up on social cues and may lack inborn social skills, such as being able to read others' body language, start or maintain a conversation, and take turns talking. 1-2-3-4-5
- Dislike any changes in routines. 1-2-3-4-5
- Appear to lack empathy. 1-2-3-4-5
- Be unable to recognize subtle differences in speech tone, pitch, and accent that alter the meaning of others' speech. 1-2-3-4-5 So your child may not understand a joke or may take a sarcastic comment literally. And his or her speech may be flat and hard to understand because it lacks tone, pitch, and accent. 1-2-3-4-5
- Have a formal style of speaking that is advanced for is or her age. For example, the child may use the word "beckon" instead of "call" or the word "return" instead of "come back." 1-2-3-4-5
- Avoid eye contact (1-2-3-4-5) or stare at others. 1-2-3-4-5
- Have unusual facial expressions or postures. 1-2-3-4-5
- Be preoccupied with only one or few interests, which he or she may be very knowledgeable about. Many children with Asperger's syndrome are overly interested in parts of a whole or in unusual activities, such as designing houses, drawing highly detailed scenes, or studying astronomy. They may show an unusual interest in certain topics such as snakes, names of stars, or dinosaurs. 1-2-3-4-5
- Talk a lot, usually about a favorite subject. One-sided conversations are common. Internal thoughts are often verbalized. 1-2-3-4-5
- Have delayed motor development. Your child may be late in learning to use a fork or spoon, ride a bike, or catch a ball. He or she may have an awkward walk. Handwriting is often poor. 1-2-3-4-5
- Have heightened sensitivity and become overstimulated by loud noises, lights, or strong tastes or textures. 1-2-3-4-5 For more information about these symptoms, see sensory integration dysfunction (http://children.webmd.com/sensory-integration-dysfunction).
A child with one or two of these symptoms does not necessarily have Asperger's syndrome. To be diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a child must have a combination of these symptoms and significant trouble with social situations.
Although the condition is in some ways similar to autism, a child with Asperger's syndrome typically has normal language and intellectual development. Also, those with Asperger's syndrome typically make more of an effort than those with autism to make friends and engage in activities with others.
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
(Rating scale is homemade where 1 is least in intensity/severity and 5 is greatest. Symptom information comes from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/childhood-disintegrative-disorder/ds00801/dsection=symptoms). Please see a health care professional for official diagnosis, but don't be afraid to take this chart with you as reference. Please circle the level appropriate for your child. If you have more than one child, then use multiple charts to avoid confusion.
Children with childhood disintegrative disorder typically show the following signs and symptoms:
Dramatic loss of previously acquired skills in two or more of the following areas:
1) Language, including a severe decline in the ability to speak and have a conversation.
1-2-3-4-5
2) Social skills, including significant difficulty relating to and interacting with others.
1-2-3-4-5
3) Play, including a loss of interest in imaginary play and in a variety of games and
activities. 1-2-3-4-5
4) Motor skills, including a dramatic decline in the ability to walk, climb, grasp objects and
other movements. 1-2-3-4-5
5) Bowel or bladder control, including frequent accidents in a child who was previously
toilet-trained. 1-2-3-4-5
Loss of developmental milestones may occur abruptly over the course of days to weeks or gradually over an extended periods of time.
When to see a doctor
Children typically develop at their own pace, but any loss of development milestones is cause for concern. If your child has suddenly lost previously acquired language, social, motor, play, thinking (cognitive) or self-help skills (such as toilet training and feeding) contact your doctor. In addition, if you suspect that your child has gradually shown a loss in any area of development, talk to your doctor.
Rett Syndrome symptoms:
(Rating scale is homemade where 1 is least in intensity/severity and 5 is greatest. Symptom information comes from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rett-syndrome/ds00716/dsection=symptoms). Please see a health care professional for official diagnosis, but don't be afraid to take this chart with you as reference. Please circle the level appropriate for your child. If you have more than one child, then use multiple charts to avoid confusion.
Babies with Rett syndrome are generally born after a normal pregnancy and delivery. Most grow and behave normally for the first six months. After that, signs and symptoms start to appear. The most pronounced changes generally occur at 12 to 18 months of age and occur over a period of weeks or months.
Rett syndrome symptoms include:
- Slowed growth. Brain growth slows after birth. Smaller than normal head size is usually the first sign that a child has Rett syndrome. It generally starts to become apparent after 6 months of age. As children with Rett syndrome get older, delayed growth in other parts of the body becomes evident. 1-2-3-4-5
- Loss of normal movement and coordination. The most significant loss of movement skills (motor skills) usually starts between 12 to 18 months of age. The first signs often include a decrease of hand control and a decreasing ability to crawl or walk normally. At first, this loss of abilities occurs rapidly and then continues more gradually. 1-2-3-4-5
- Loss of communication and thinking abilities. At ages 12 to 18 months, children with Rett syndrome typically begin to lose the ability to speak and to communicate in other ways. They may become uninterested in other people, toys and their surroundings. Some children have rapid changes, such as a sudden loss of speech. 1-2-3-4-5
- Abnormal hand movements. As the disease progresses, children with Rett syndrome typically develop their won particular hand patterns, which may include hand wringing, squeezing, clapping, tapping or rubbing. 1-2-3-4-5
- 5) Unusual eye movements. Children with Rett syndrome tend to have unusual eye movements, such as blinking or closing one eye at a time. 1-2-3-4-5
- Breathing problems. These include breath-holding (apnea), abnormally rapid breathing (hyperventilation), and forceful exhalation (of) air or saliva. These problems tend to occur during waking hours, but not during sleep.
- Irritability. Children with Rett syndrome become increasingly agitated and irritable as they get older. Periods of crying or screaming may begin suddenly and last for hours. Children become calmer between the ages of 2 and 10 years old. 1-2-3-4-5
- Abnormal behaviors. These may include sudden, odd facial expressions and long bouts of laughter, screaming that occurs for not apparent reason, hand licking, and grasping of hair or clothing. 1-2-3-4-5
- Seizures. Half or more of children who have Rett syndrome develop seizures. Symptoms very from person to person, and they can range from periodic muscle spasms to full-blown epilepsy. 1-2-3-4-5
- Abnormal curvature of the spine (scoliosis). Scoliosis is common with Rett syndrome. It typically begins between 8 and 11 years of age. 1-2-3-4-5
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). This is a life-threatening problem for many children and adults with Rett syndrome. 1-2-3-4-5
- Constipation. This is a common problem in people with Rett syndrome. 1-2-3-4-5
Stages of Rett syndrome:
Stage I. Signs and symptoms are subtle and easily overlooked during the first stage, which starts between 6 and 18 months of age. Babies in this stage may show less eye contact and start to lose interest in toys. They may also have delays in sitting or crawling.
Stage II. Starting between 1 and 4 years of age children with Rett syndrome gradually lose the ability to speak and to use their hands purposefully. Repetitive, purposeless hand movements begin during this stage. Some children with Rett syndrome hold their breath or hyperventilate and may scream or cry for no apparent reason. It's often difficult for them to move on their own.
Stage III. The third stage is a plateau that usually begins between the ages of 2 and 10 years and can last for years. Although problems with movement continue, behavior may improve. Children in this stage often cry less and become less irritable. Increased eye contact and using the eyes and hand as to communicate generally improve during this stage. Many people with Rett syndrome remain in stage III for the rest of their lives.
Stage IV. The last stage is marked by reduced mobility, muscle weakness and scoliosis. Understanding, communication and hand skills generally don't decline further during this stage. In fact, repetitive hand movements may decrease. Although sudden death can occur, most people with Rett syndrome live into their 40s or 50s. They usually need care and assistance throughout their lives.
When to see a doctor
Signs of Rett syndrome can be subtle in the early stages. See your child's doctor right away if you begin to notice physical problems or changes in behavior such as:
A) Slowed growth of your child's head or other parts of her or his body
B) Decreased coordination or mobility
C) Decreasing eye contact or loss of interest in normal play
Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)
This one has not yet been mapped out. Symptoms and conditions in this category may vary widely. Seek professional medical attention if you have any questions or concerns.
This list of Autism Spectrum Disorder categories and their symptoms were taken from https://www.firstsigns.org/delays_disorders/asd.htm
