Is Rett syndrome a form of Autism?

Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is classified as an autism spectrum disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition and affects about 1 in every 10,000 female births.

Rett syndrome is mostly found in girls, but a few boys have been identified as having Rett syndrome.

Although some people with Rett syndrome exhibit autistic characteristics, particularly during the regressive stage, many distinct clinical features distinguish Rett syndrome from idiopathic autism.

Rett syndrome, like autism, does not manifest itself at birth; in both cases, a period of seemingly normal development precedes the onset of early signs.

These symptoms, as well as their timing, are similar in both cases. Children with Rett syndrome withdraw from social interaction and lose their ability to speak between the ages of 6 and 18 months.

Other features, such as anxiety and seizures, are also common in both conditions.