DSM IV Criteria for Rett's Disorder*
A. All of the following:
- Apparently normal prenatal and perinatal development.
- Apparently normal psychomotor development through the first 5 months after birth.
- Normal head circumference at birth.
B. Onset of all of the following after the period of normal development:
- Deceleration of head growth between ages 5 and 48 months.
- Loss of previously acquired purposeful hand skills between ages 5 and 30 months with subsequent development of stereotyped hand movements (e.g. hand-wringing or hand washing).
- Loss of social engagement early in the course (although often social interaction develops later).
- Appearance of poorly coordinated gait or trunk movements.
- Severely impaired expressive and receptive language development with severe psychomotor retardation.
Reference
*American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed., rev.). Washington DC: Author. (Pg. 77)