Psychotherapy High Wycombe Psychotherapy High Wycombe - Last updated 07 January 2026

DSM Reference Home

DSM-IV and DSM-IV-TR:

Rett's Disorder

Children with this pervasive developmental disorder appear to develop normally at first, but their head growth slows, theylose social "engagement" and hand skills, and they develop stereotyped movements of the hands and poorly coordinated gait or trunk movements. There is also psychomotor retardation and impairment of language development.

Diagnostic criteria for 299.80 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

Based on the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition APA

The online Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders lists most of the major psychological disorders and illnesses and lists the criteria that must be fulfilled in order for a diagnosis to be made. This resource is not a substitute for proper professional psychiatric diagnosis.