Rett Syndrome Symptoms: The Impact of Social Anxiety
One of the challenging symptoms experienced by young children affected by Rett Syndrome is social anxiety. This overwhelming feeling of being alone can lead to various behavioral changes, including avoiding eye contact and withdrawing from social interactions. As the syndrome progresses, their ability to communicate verbally also deteriorates, causing them to lose the motivation to speak. It is not uncommon for Rett Syndrome to be misdiagnosed as autism due to these similar symptoms. It is important to note that these signs can manifest as early as 1 to 4 years of age.
Loss of Muscle Control
Once the initial signs of hand control impairment appear, it is only a matter of time before other muscles and limbs are also affected. Infants or children may experience difficulty crawling or walking due to weakening muscles. Additionally, they may develop a rigid form of spasticity. The deterioration of muscle control can happen rapidly, but research indicates that the rate of decline slows as the child grows older.